foul ball

In baseball, a foul ball is a ball hit into foul territory. Foul territory is the area outside the lines extending from home plate through the first and third baselines.12

When a batter hits a foul ball, it typically counts as a strike, unless it's the third strike. However, a bunted foul ball can be called strike three. If a batter hits a foul ball that is caught by a fielder before it touches the ground, the batter is out. A special case is a "foul tip," where the batter barely deflects a pitched ball, and the catcher legally catches it. This counts as a full strike, even if it's the third strike, but the batter is not out unless it's the third strike. Committing a violation of the rules in a sport is also referred to as a foul.234