MLB Ejection 174 - John Bacon (6; Mark Kotsay)

HP Umpire John Bacon ejected A's manager Mark Kotsay (foul ball call to Bobby Witt Jr; QOCY) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Royals-#Athletics game. With one out and one on, Royals batter Witt Jr swung at a 1-2 curveball from A's pitcher Hogan Harris, ruled a foul ball by HP Umpire Bacon. Replays indicate that the bat appeared to make slight contact with the pitched ball during the swing before the ball fell into the dirt behind home plate, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Royals were leading, 4-2. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 4-2.

This is John Bacon (70)'s 6th ejection of 2025.

This is the 174th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 91st manager ejection of 2025.Ejection Tally: 91 Managers, 28 Coaches, 55 Players.

This is Sacramento's 5th ejection of 2025, 3rd in the AL West (LAA 8; HOU, OAK 5; SEA, TEX 4).

This is Mark Kotsay's 3rd ejection of 2025, 1st since August 2 (John Bacon; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is John Bacon's 6th ejection of 2025, 1st since August 14 (Rocco Baldelli; QOC = Y [Foul Tip]).

Wrap: Kansas City Royals vs No City Athletics, 9/27/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 126 - John Bacon (5; Rocco Baldelli)

HP Umpire John Bacon ejected Twins manager Rocco Baldelli (foul tip/out catch call on Ryan Jeffers; QOCY) in the bottom of the 11th inning of the #Tigers-#Twins game. With none out and one on, Twins batter Jeffers swung at a 0-2 splitter from Tigers pitcher Rafael Montero, ruled a foul tip (caught) by HP Umpire Bacon. Replays indicate the pitch after contacting the batter's bat and traveling sharply toward Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler's mitt, the ball appeared to glance off the mitt's lip before ultimately being held by the catcher, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Tigers were leading, 4-3. The Tigers ultimately won the contest, 4-3, in 11 innings.

This is John Bacon (70)'s 5th ejection of 2025.

*Official Baseball Rules Definition: "A FOUL TIP is a batted ball that goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher and is legally caught. It is not a foul tip unless caught, and any foul tip that is caught is a strike, and the ball is in play."

This is the 126th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 67th manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 67 Managers, 21 Coaches, 38 Players.

This is Minnesota's 6th ejection of 2025, 2nd in the AL Central (MIN 6; CWS 4; DET, KC 2; CLE 0).

This is Rocco Baldelli's 4th ejection of 2025, 1st since May 31 (Austin Jones; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is John Bacon's 5th ejection of 2025, 1st since August 2 (Mark Kotsay; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Box: Detroit Tigers vs Minnesota Twins, 8/14/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 160 - John Tumpane (4; Carl Willis)

HP Umpire John Tumpane ejected Guardians pitching coach Carl Willis (foul ball call to Garrett Hampson; QOCY) in the top of the 6th inning of the #Royals-#Guardians game. With one out and none on, Royals batter Hampson swung at a 1-2 changeup from Guardians pitcher Pedro Avila, ruled a foul ball by HP Umpire Tumpane. Replays indicate Hampson's bat made contact with the baseball before it touched the ground, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Royals were leading, 5-4. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 9-4.

This is John Tumpane (74)'s 4th ejection of 2024.

This is the 160th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 26th coach ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 80 Managers, 26 Coaches, 54 Players.

This is Cleveland's 3rd ejection of 2024, 2nd in the AL Central (CWS 8; CLE 3; KC, MIN 2; DET 1).

This is Carl Willis' 1st ejection since Sept 3, 2017 (Sam Holbrook; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is John Tumpane's 4th ejection of 2024, 1st since July 6 (Derek Shelton; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Kansas City Royals vs Cleveland Guardians (Game 2), 8/26/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 123 - Edwin Moscoso (3; Bruce Bochy)

HP Umpire Edwin Moscoso ejected Rangers manager Bruce Bochy (foul tip call; QOCY) in the top of the 5th inning of the #WhiteSox-#Rangers game. With none out and one on, White Sox baserunner Luis Robert Jr attempted to steal second base on a 2-2 changeup from Rangers pitcher Michael Lorenzen, resulting in a foul tip by White Sox batter Andrew Benintendi. Replays indicate Rangers catcher Jonah Heim initially caught the batted ball before losing it on the post-catch transfer/exchange attempt, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the White Sox were leading, 2-1. The Rangers ultimately won the contest, 4-3, in 10 innings.

This is Edwin Moscoso (32)'s 3rd ejection of 2024.

Official Baseball Rules: "A FOUL TIP is a batted ball that goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher and is legally caught. It is not a foul tip unless caught, and any foul tip that is caught is a strike, and the ball is in play."

This is the 123rd ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 61st manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 61 Managers, 17 Coaches, 45 Players.

This is Texas' 5th ejection of 2024, 4th in the AL West (HOU, SEA 7; OAK 6; TEX 5; LAA 2).

This is Bruce Bochy's 4th ejection of 2024, 1st since June 14 (Vic Carapazza; QOC = Y [RLI]).

This is Edwin Moscoso's 3rd ejection of 2024, 1st since July 11 (Matt Blake; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Chicago White Sox vs Texas Rangers, 7/22/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 058-9 - Laz Diaz & Erich Bacchus (TEX x2)

HP Umpire Laz Diaz ejected Rangers manager Bruce Bochy and 3B Umpire Erich Bacchus ejected Rangers bench player Andrew Heaney (foul ball call by Bacchus; QOCN) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the #Rangers-#Twins game. With one out and two on, Twins batter Edouard Julien attempted to check his swing on a 3-2 knuckle curve from Rangers pitcher David Robertson, ruled a foul tip by HP Umpire Diaz but called a foul ball by 3B Umpire Bacchus (any base umpire may call a foul ball unasked). Replays indicate the pitched ball made contact with the bat and went directly into the catcher's mitt thereafter; this is a foul tip, Bacchus' call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Rangers were leading, 3-1. The Twins ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

This Laz Diaz (63)'s 3rd ejection of 2024.

This is Erich Bacchus (12)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

These are the 58th and 59th ejections of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 24th player ejection of 2024. Prior to ejection, Heaney was a bench player and didn't play.

This is the 26th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 26 Managers, 9 Coaches, 24 Players.

This is Texas' 2/3rd ejection of 2024, T-1st in the AL West (HOU, TEX 3; OAK, SEA 2; LAA 1).

This is Bruce Bochy's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since April 18 (Todd Tichenor; QOC = Y [Fair/Foul]).

This is Andrew Heaney's first career MLB ejection.

This is Laz Diaz's 3rd ejection of 2024, 1st since May 14 (Ronel Blanco; QOC = U [Illegal Substance]).

This is Erich Bacchus' 1st ejection since July 4, 2023 (David Ross; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Seattle Mariners vs Washington Nationals, 5/25/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 21-2 - Stu Scheurwater (1-2; SF x2)

HP Umpire Stu Scheurwater ejected Giants manager Bob Melvin and 3B coach Matt Williams (foul ball call; QOCN) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Diamondbacks-#Giants game. With none out and two on, Diamondbacks batter Kevin Newman attempted to strike a 1-2 knuckle curve from Giants pitcher Nick Avila, ruled a foul ball by Scheurwater. Replays indicate the pitched ball did not appear to make contact with Newman's bat prior to touching the dirt, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejections, the Diamondbacks were leading, 4-2. The Diamondbacks ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

These are Stu Scheurwater (85)'s 1st and 2nd ejections of 2024.

These are the 21st and 22nd ejection reports of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 10th manager ejection of 2024.

This is the 4th coach ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 10 Managers, 4 Coaches, 8 Players.

This is San Francisco's 2/3rd ejection of 2024, 1st in the NL West (SF 3; SD 2; ARI, COL, LAD 0).

This is Bob Melvin's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since April 12 (Clint Vondrak; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Matt Williams' 1st ejection since May 20, 2015 (Marvin Hudson; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Stu Scheurwater's 1st ejection since June 1, 2023 (Phil Nevin; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Arizona Diamondbacks vs San Francisco Giants, 4/21/24 | Video as follows:

Cecconi Notches 1st Career Strikeout on Crotch Catch

Diamondbacks pitcher Slade Cecconi earned his first career strikeout via Replay Review after Giants batter LaMonte Wade foul tipped a 3-2 fastball into Arizona catcher Jose Herrera's crotch, whereupon the ball was held against the player's body before being collected by his hand, without the baseball ever having touched the ground.

Thus, Torey Lovullo won his 1st inning challenge with Replay Review overturning HP Umpire Gabe Morales' original ruling that the ball had struck Wade's hand, as in a hit-by-pitch, with Crew Chief Dan Iassogna announcing the call was overturned due to clear and convincing video evidence that the ball struck batter Wade's knob of the bat before striking catcher Herrera, with the ball ultimately entering Herrera's control by hand or glove/mitt.

This unique strikeout would not have been possible in 2019, as the 2019 version of Official Baseball Rule 5.09(a)(2) required that a foul tip "goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher's hands" before being legally caught. The 2019-era rule required a catch due to a foul tip in this scenario to have "first touched the catcher's glove or hand" (such that Herrera's crotch catch would not be a legal catch due to the ball having failed to first touch the catcher's glove or hand). The proper call under the 2019 ruleset would be a foul ball (no catch, ball is dead).

In 2020, however OBR 5.09(a)(2) changed to reflect additional foul tip possibilities for "a batter is out when": "A batted ball goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher and is legally caught. It is not a foul tip unless caught, and any foul tip that is caught is a strike, and the ball is in play." On any foul tip, including caught foul tips for third strikes, the ball remains live and in play.

We first covered this change thanks to a 2021 play from Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan.

Related Post: Baseball's Foul Tip Rules Change in Real Life (9/22/21).

Video as follows:

Rangers' Heim Catches Foul Tip off Mask - Review

When HP Umpire Mike Muchlinski ruled an out on Marlins batter JJ Bleday's 7th inning foul that deflected off Rangers catcher Jonah Heim before a diving catch, we were asked to review the foul tip rule.

In sum, this play meets the criteria for a foul tip pursuant to current MLB rules, but had this play occurred prior to 2020, provided the ball was ruled to have contacted the catcher's mask before any other part of his equipment or paraphernalia, it would not have been a foul tip.

This is because the Official Baseball Rules, circa 2019, stated that, "A FOUL TIP is a batted ball that goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher’s hands and is legally caught. It is not a foul tip unless caught and any foul tip that is caught is a strike, and the ball is in play. It is not a catch if it is a rebound, unless the ball has first touched the catcher’s glove or hand."

In 2020, this language was changed to read, "A FOUL TIP is a batted ball that goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher and is legally caught. It is not a foul tip unless caught, and any foul tip that is caught is a strike, and the ball is in play."

Accordingly, this is a foul tip and, with two strikes on the batter, a swinging strikeout, under professional rules. This also applies to NCAA rules, but not (yet) to NFHS.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 130-31 - Barksdale, Porter (Francona, Straw)

HP Umpire Lance Barksdale ejected Guardians manager Terry Francona and 3B Umpire Alan Porter ejected Guardians CF Myles Straw (foul ball reversed to foul tip or swinging strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #Tigers-#Indians game. With one out and one on (R3), Indians batter Myles Straw attempted to hit a 2-2 slider from Tigers pitcher Joe Jimenez, originally ruled a foul ball by HP Umpire Barksdale, and reversed following crew consultation to a third strike. Replays do not conclusively indicate whether or not Straw's bat made contact with the baseball, but do conclusively show that Tigers catcher Tucker Barnhart ultimately caught the ball prior to the ball touching the ground; whether via foul tip or via swinging strike, the call of strike three/out was correct. At the time of the ejections, the Tigers were leading, 4-3. The Tigers ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Lance Barksdale (23)'s 2nd ejection of 2022.

This is Alan Porter's (64)'s 3rd ejection of 2022.

These are the 130th and 131st ejection reports of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 72nd manager ejection of 2022.

This is the 41st player ejection of 2022. Prior to ejection, Straw was 0-4 (2 SO) in the contest.

This is Cleveland's 2/3rd ejection of 2022, T-3rd in the AL Central (CWS 5; DET 4; CLE, KC, MIN 3).

This is Terry Francona's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since June 9 (Paul Emmel; QOC = Y-c [Obstruction]).

This is Myles Straw's first career MLB ejection.

This is Lance Barksdale's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since April 9 (Keegan Thompson; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

This is Alan Porter's 3rd ejection of 2022, 1st since August 7 (Rocco Baldelli; QOC = N-c [Replay Review]).

Wrap: Detroit Tigers vs Cleveland Guardians, 8/16/22 | Video as follows:

Baseball's Foul Tip Rules Change in Real Life

In this short video, we review professional baseball's 2020 rules change for foul tips at home plate using a real-life example from the Pacific League of Nippon Professional Baseball (Japan). The umpire's call on this foul tip would have been different had this 2021 play occurred just two years earlier.

Play: With two strikes, the batter hits a ball that goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher's armpit and is ultimately held with the hand and caught.

2019 OBR: The Official Baseball Rules definition of FOUL TIP in 2019 would have ruled this a foul ball (not a foul tip): "A batted ball that goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher's hands and is legally caught. It is not a foul tip unless caught and any foul tip that is caught is a strike, and the ball is in play. It is not a catch if it is a rebound, unless the ball has first touched the catcher's glove or hand."

2020 OBR: Baseball's Rules Committee changed the foul tip definition in 2020: "A batted ball that goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher and is legally caught. It is not a foul tip unless caught, and any foul tip that is caught is a strike, and the ball is in play."

In other words, the 2019 rule required the batted ball to first contact the catcher's hand (or mitt) before, eventually, being firmly held by the catcher, as in a catch. The 2020 rules change thus eliminated the first touch requirement while keeping the final requirement that the ball be legally caught. This rule is shared by NCAA (college), while NFHS (high school) opted not to change from the circa-2019 rule, at least not quite yet.

As for the precise example from Japan, the only question is whether or not this ball could be considered lodged or stuck. Recall in the case of Dan Bellino "catching" a pitch in the crook of his arm in 2018, the ball was considered dead because Bellino held the ball against his body, thus satisfying OBR 5.06(c)(7)'s requirement of a ball remaining out of play: "The ball becomes dead and runners advance one base, or return to their bases, without liability to be put out, when—A pitched ball lodges in the umpire’s or catcher’s mask or paraphernalia, and remains out of play, runners advance one base."

In Japan, the catcher released the ball from his armpit in a timely manner and, OBR 5.06(c)(7)'s "remains out of play" clause unsatisfied, the umpire declared the batter out on the caught third strike via foul tip.

This is an illustration of the importance of knowing rules changes. | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 012 - Bill Welke (1; Wade Miley)

1B Umpire Bill Welke ejected Reds pitcher Wade Miley (strike three/foul ball/foul tip no-call; QOCN) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the #Indians-#Reds game. With one out and none on, Reds batter Jesse Winker swung at a 1-2 knuckle curve from Indians pitcher Shane Bieber, ruled a third strike by HP Umpire Ben May. Replays indicate Winker's bat appeared to make contact with the pitched baseball, which in turn was not caught by Indians catcher Roberto Perez, the call was incorrect. Play was reviewed and affirmed by the UEFL Appeals Board (6-2), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Indians were leading, 6-2. The Indians ultimately won the contest, 6-3.

This is Bill Welke (3)'s 1st ejection of 2021.
Bill Welke now has 2 points in the UEFL Standings (2 Prev + 2 MLB - 2 Incorrect-Crewmate = 2).
Crew Chief Bill Welke now has 1 point in Crew Division (1 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 1).

This is the 12th ejection report of the 2021 MLB regular season.

This is the fifth player ejection of 2021. Prior to ejection, Miley's line was 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 2 HR.

This is Cincinnati's 2nd ejection of 2021, 1st in the NL Central (CIN 2; CHC 1; MIL, PIT, STL 0).

This is Wade Miley's 1st ejection since Sept 9, 2018 (Tom Hallion; QOC = U [Warnings]).

This is Bill Welke's 1st ejection since August 30, 2020 (Joe Girardi; QOC = N-c [Fair/Foul]).

Wrap: Cleveland Indians vs. Cincinnati Reds, 4/18/21 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 011 - Jordan Baker (1; Alex Cora)

HP Umpire Jordan Baker ejected Red Sox Manager Alex Cora (foul ball call; QOCN) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #RedSox-#Twins game. With one out and two on, Twins batter Ryan Jeffers attempted to strike a 1-2 changeup from Red Sox pitcher Matt Andriese, ruled a foul ball by Baker. Replays indicate Jeffers' bat did not make contact with Andriese's pitch as it bounced into the mitt of catcher Christian Vasquez, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 3-3. The Twins ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Jordan Baker (71)'s first ejection of 2021.
Jordan Baker now has -2 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = -2).
Crew Chief Mark Carlson now has 1 point in Crew Division (1 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 1).

This is the 11th ejection report of the 2021 MLB regular season.

This is the sixth manager ejection of 2021.

This is Boston's 1st ejection of 2021, T-1st in the AL East (BAL, BOS 1; NYY, TB, TOR 0).

This is Jordan Baker's 1st ejection since July 26, 2020 (Derek Holland; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Alex Cora's 1st ejection since August 3, 2019 (Mike Estabrook; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Boston Red Sox vs. Minnesota Twins, 4/15/21 | Video as follows:

Mets End Game on Bobbled Foul Tip

When Yankees batter Brett Gardner made contact with a 3-2 fastball from Mets pitcher Edwin Diaz, NYM catcher Wilson Ramos bobbled the ball and caught it for a...game-ending foul tip strikeout? As umpire Gary Cederstrom—who became yet the latest umpire hit by a pitch or foul ball during a Mets game in 2019—signaled the final out, we review an odd looking non-fly-ball.

The Play: With two out in the 9th inning, Yankees batter Brett Gardner swung and fouled a 3-2 fastball from Mets pitcher Edwin Diaz off the glove of catcher Wilson Ramos and into the air, whereupon the ball ricocheted off Ramos' free hand and back into his glove for a game-ending catch.

Ramos catches a flying foul tip for strike 3.

The Call: This play was ruled a swinging strikeout by HP Umpire Gary Cederstrom, specifically a foul tip.

The Rule: This is indeed a foul tip. Although the Official Baseball Rules' definition of the term states, "A FOUL TIP is a batted ball that goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher’s hands and is legally caught. It is not a foul tip unless caught and any foul tip that is caught is a strike, and the ball is in play. It is not a catch if it is a rebound, unless the ball has first touched the catcher’s glove or hand," the most relevant rule is found in OBR 5.09(a)(2) Comment, which refers to "The batter is out when—a third strike is legally caught by the catcher."

The tail end of a foul tip in Milwaukee, 2015.

OBR 5.09(a)(2) Comment states, "If a foul tip first strikes the catcher’s glove and then goes on through and is caught by both hands against his body or protector, before the ball touches the ground, it is a strike, and if third strike, batter is out. If smothered against his body or protector, it is a catch provided the ball struck the catcher’s glove or hand first."

Analysis: The comment's hypothetical scenario is pretty much what happened here, and it's also what happened in a UEFL Case Play from 2015, when HP Umpire Ryan Blakney similarly ruled a foul tip when Diamondbacks batter Jarrod Saltalamacchia's offering deflected off Brewers catcher Martin Maldonado's glove and into the air, where it was caught on the fly by the diving catcher.
Related Post: Case Play 2015-04, The Flying Foul Tip [Solved] (6/8/15).

As we wrote in the Case Play, the main consideration is what the ball touched first after coming off the bat. If it's the hands/glove/mitt, it can be legally caught. If it's another part of the catcher's equipment or body, it cannot be legally caught.

To summarize:
Bat => Catcher's Hand, Glove, or Mitt => Caught or Smothered = FOUL TIP.
Bat => Anything Else => Caught or Smothered = FOUL BALL.

The ball's first point of contact: the mitt.

Implications: Finally, we'll discuss what this means in real life. Recall that the ball remains live during a foul tip, but is dead on a foul ball. Thus, if we had less than two outs (or less than two strikes) in New York, our baserunner could have legally stolen third base while the catcher was juggling the foul tip—and because it was a foul tip and not a legally caught foul ball (e.g., an actual fly ball that is caught in the air), there is no requirement to "tag up" or retouch a base. In such event, a quick-thinking catcher—with less than two strikes on the batter—might strategically choose to let the ball fall to the ground for the express purpose of preventing a potential stolen base.

But with two strikes, it's better to catch the ball for a strikeout | Video as follows:

Yadier Molina's Foul Tip - Hands First, Body Last

Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina caught a foul tip in unorthodox fashion when a batted ball came to rest between his right thigh and torso as HP Umpire Chris Segal declared the play a legal catch and strikeout, explaining to Padres Manager Andy Green why the odd rebound resulted in strike three.

Video: A foul tip vs a foul or lodged ball.

This play highlights the importance of knowing Official Baseball Rule 5.09(a)(2) as well as the Definition of Terms regarding a foul tip and catch. Not only is the batter's status as a strikeout victim (if a foul tip) or being able to continue the at-bat (if a foul ball) in question, if there were runners on base, stolen bases or other advancement could come into question (if a foul tip, the ball is live and any steals would be valid; if a foul ball, the ball is dead and any steals would not count).

The Play: With two strikes, the batter swings at the pitched ball, his bat making contact with the ball and sending it sharply and directly toward the catcher, whose hand/glove/mitt either (A) does, or (B) does not, touch the ball, after which it comes to rest trapped between the catcher's thigh and torso. The catcher slowly stands up and retrieves the ball with his bare hand; the ball never touches the ground. Is this a foul tip or a foul ball?

Answer: In (A), it is a foul tip and results in the third strike on the batter; the batter is out and the ball remains live, meaning any stolen bases or other runner movement would stand. In (B), it is a foul ball; the batter remains at bat and the ball is dead, nullifying any stolen bases or other runner advancement.
Related Post: An Unconventional Foul Tip in the Big Apple (4/10/17).

Rule 5.09(a)(2): This rule simply states that a batter is out when the third strike is legally caught by the catcher. The important portion of this rule relative to the Molina foul tip play is in the rule's comment:

If a foul tip first strikes the catcher’s glove and then goes on through and is caught by both hands against his body or protector, before the ball touches the ground, it is a strike, and if third strike, batter is out. If smothered against his body or protector, it is a catch provided the ball struck the catcher’s glove or hand first.

This is an example of a foul ball.

The Definition of Terms resembles Rule 5.09(a)(2) Comment, and states that, "A FOUL TIP is a batted ball that goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher’s hands and is legally caught."

For instance, the accompanying image of a batted ball that strikes the catcher's mask immediately after it is hit by the bat would be an example of a foul ball. Though this particular play ended up as a lodged ball (the ball was stuck in the mask), had the ball fallen out of the mask and into the catcher's hand, it would still be deemed a foul ball.

Recall that a catch "is the act of a fielder in getting secure possession in his hand or glove of a ball in flight and firmly holding it." A fielder may smother the ball against his body and complete the catch simply by holding the ball in his hand or glove, but the fielder may not use a cap, chest protector, mask, pocket, or other item not natural to the fielder's person in order to complete the catch. It is similarly not a legal catch if at any time prior to secure possession the batted ball touches the ground, an umpire, or an opponent (it may touch a teammate).

To reiterate, a foul tip requires the batted ball
a) Go sharply and directly from the bat to the catcher's hands;
b) Touch the catcher's hands, mitt, or glove;
c) Be legally caught.

Video as follows:

Ask the UEFL - Fletcher, Phantom Foul & Plate Blocking

New York defeated Washington on a contested foul ball no-call and dramatic game-ending play at the plate, confirmed after a Nationals-prompted Replay Review regarding baseball's home plate collision rule. After the game, Nats Manager Dusty Baker—along with fans of the team, most likely—wasn't exactly thrilled with the 9th inning's outcome. As suggested by a viewer via our Ask the UEFL feature, let's take a look at the plays.

Degree of descent on two phases of swing.

Strike Three Swinging (2nd Out): With one out and none on, Nationals batter Alejandro De Aza attempted to strike a 0-2 slider from Mets pitcher AJ Ramos for an uncaught third strike.
The Rule: OBR 5.09(a)(2) and (10) specify when the batter is out, relative to this play: "(2) A third strike is legally caught by the catcher" and "(10) After a third strike or after he hits a fair ball, he or first base is tagged before he touches first base."
Definition of Terms [Strike] tells us what is and what is not a strike: a) struck at and missed, b) passes through strike zone, c) fouled with less than two strikes, d) bunted foul (with any count), e) touches batter as he strikes it, f) touches batter in the strike zone (in flight), g) a foul tip.
A FOUL TIP is a batted ball that goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher’s hands and is legally caught. It is not a foul tip unless caught and any foul tip that is caught is a strike, and the ball is in play. It is not a catch if it is a rebound, unless the ball has first touched the catcher’s glove or hand.

Analysis, Uncaught Third Strike: The quality of correctness here is inconclusive. First and foremost, let's (yet again) address the "foul tip" terminology so often employed by players, coaches, fans, and broadcasters. Simply put, the De Aza play does not describe a foul tip: by rule, a foul tip is always caught by the catcher. Assuming the ball touched the bat, it cannot possibly be a foul tip if it is not caught by the catcher. For more information on the difference between foul balls and foul tips, refer to the following 2015 Case Play involving plate umpire Ryan Blakney, or Tony Randazzo's bobbled foul tip at Citi Field from April:
Related Post: Case Play 2015-04, The Flying Foul Tip [Solved] (6/8/15).
Related Post: An Unconventional Foul Tip in the Big Apple (4/10/17).

That said, Washington was adamant two different sounds were heard, which ordinarily can help an umpire determine if the ball hit something before reaching the catcher. Unfortunately, for this play, the something could have been De Aza's bat, or it could have been the dirt behind home plate. Visual analysis of the play indicates the ball's downslope angle was approximately -12 degrees prior to reaching the location where De Aza's bat could have potentially contacted the baseball, and was approximately -13 degrees after this location. Because the pitch was a slider, some deviation in glideslope may be expected (due to spin-rate, for instance), which makes this rather statistically insignificant difference in angles somewhat unreliable in determining whether or not the ball hit the bat. As such, even if this play was reviewable, I'd surmise the call would "stand," similar to how many hit-by-pitch vs no-HBP reviews end up with a "call stands" outcome | Video via "Read More" (below).

HP Collision Violation No-Call (3rd Out): With two out and one on (R1), Nationals batter Daniel Murphy hit a ground ball to Mets center fielder Juan Lagares, who threw to second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera to catcher Travis d'Arnaud as Nationals baserunner Edwin Jackson arrived at home plate. Initially ruled out by HP Umpire Fletcher, the call was confirmed as an out (no HP collision/plate blocking violation) following a Manager's Challenge.

Diagram of legal catcher positioning.

The Rule: OBR 6.01(i)(2) states, in part, "Unless the catcher is in possession of the ball, the catcher cannot block the pathway of the runner as he is attempting to score...Not withstanding the above, it shall not be considered a violation of this Rule 6.01(i)(2) (Rule 7.13(2)) if the catcher blocks the pathway of the runner in a legitimate attempt to field the throw (e.g., in reaction to the direction, trajectory or the hop of the incoming throw, or in reaction to a throw that originates from a pitcher or drawn-in infielder)."
Related Post: Anatomy of a Rule 7.13 HP Collision Review, SEA-OAK (4/11/15).

C d'Arnaud exhibits legal positioning in DC.

Analysis, HP Collision: This call is correct on all accounts—the runner is tagged prior to his arrival at home plate, and the catcher's positioning is legal; there is no illegal block of home plate. The tag is self-explanatory, and as for Rule 6.01(i)(2), refer to the attached diagram. As indicated by the white circle, catcher d'Arnaud is positioned entirely in fair territory (on or to the inside/right of the foul line) in the final moment before he will receive Cabrera's throw. This is a legal position as baserunner Jackson has the entire foul-facing edge of home plate at his disposal, similar to our "gold standard" of catcher legality as indicated in the above image featuring Mariners catcher Jesus Sucre and A's runner Josh Phegley in Oakland (click here for more detail about that play).

F2 is in possession prior to runner's arrival.

Finally, based on EVP Joe Torre's September 2014 clarification of the home plate collision rule, "If the runner would have been called out notwithstanding the catcher's improper positioning in front of the plate, the out call will stand." We know that d'Arnaud was legal (e.g., the call was confirmed), but assume he wasn't. According to Torre's statement, an illegally positioned catcher will not be called for illegal positioning if—to put it bluntly—the ball beats the runner. As indicated by the attached image, F2 d'Arnaud received the throw prior to R1 Jackson's arrival; thus, even if d'Arnaud was improperly positioned in front of home plate (which really means blocking off the runner's access to the shortest edge of home plate that is parallel to the inner batter box line), the out call would stand based on the rationale that F2's illegal position did not by itself prevent the runner from scoring (the fact that F2 caught the ball before R1 arrived at home plate is primarily what prevented the runner from scoring).

Catcher is legal well before the runner arrives.

To really drive the point home, a catcher will only be called for the Rule 6.01(i)(2) violation if his illegal positioning "holds up" or clearly prevents a runner from scoring. If the catcher gains possession of the ball at any point prior to the runner reaching the catcher's position in front of home plate, there is no violation of Rule 6.01(i)(2). Once the catcher catches the ball, he no longer can be considered as illegally blocking the plate.
Related Post: MLB Issues Rule 7.13 Plate Blocking Clarification (9/10/14).

Wrap: New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals (Game 1 of DH), 8/27/17 | Video as follows:

An Unconventional Foul Tip in the Big Apple

A foul tip usually constitutes a batted ball fouled directly from bat into catcher's glove, but did you know that a foul tip doesn't actually have to be held in the glove in order for it to be a foul tip? Every blue moon or two, an anything-but-routine foul tip comes across on a ball caught by the catcher using a part of his body other than his glove to hold onto the baseball.

Wait, WHAT?

Pursuant to Official Baseball Rule's Definition of Terms, "A FOUL TIP is a batted ball that goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher’s hands and is legally caught. It is not a foul tip unless caught and any foul tip that is caught is a strike, and the ball is in play. It is not a catch if it is a rebound, unless the ball has first touched the catcher’s glove or hand."

Rule 5.09(a)(2) Comment clarifies this even further: "If a foul tip first strikes the catcher's glove and then goes on through and is caught by both hands against his body or protector, before the ball touches the ground, it is a strike, and if third strike, batter is out. If smothered against his body or protector, it is a catch provided the ball struck the catcher's glove or hand first."

A foul tip bobbled and held onto by the catcher: Strike 3, out.

All this brings us to Sunday Night Baseball and Mets catcher Rene Rivera's unconventional foul tip in the top of the 9th inning on Marlins batter JT Realmuto's 2-2 swing that connected with the baseball, sending it sharply and directly to Rivera, who bobbled the baseball before pinning it to his body (see photograph above with ball resting in crook of Rivera's arm, smothered against the side of his chest protector) and retrieving it with his bare hand. Replays indicate the ball never touched the ground and never became lodged in Rivera's clothing or paraphernalia.

For home plate umpire Tony Randazzo, the fun had just begun, as Marlins Manager Don Mattingly attempted to file a Manager's Challenge with Crew Chief Gerry Davis before being informed that foul tip calls were not subject to Replay Review.

Had the batted ball not first struck Rivera's hand (or glove), it would not have been a foul tip, and, with two strikes, would be subject to standard catch rules granted to ordinary foul balls ("A CATCH is the act of a fielder in getting secure possession in his hand or glove of a ball in flight and firmly holding it; providing he does not use his cap, protector, pocket or any other part of his uniform in getting possession").

This is not to say that a fielder must solely use his hand or glove to catch a ball and that any other possibility is illegal. Many a pitcher, for instance, has legally caught a batted ball through the use of the legs and feet: baseball's CATCH rule is simply referring to the intentional use of a non-natural textile (such as a ball cap's bill or pants pocket) in order to modify the ball's trajectory to create an unfair advantage. If a ball is struck into a fielder's midsection, for instance, he can still capture the ricochet for a legal catch, provided the ball has not struck the ground, and he does not subsequently use a part of his uniform in getting possession. In the catcher's case, using his chest protector would render the play a foul ball.

Case Play 2015-04, The Flying Foul Tip [Solved]

Case Play time! When is a foul tip a foul ball? A catch an out? A dead ball alive? First year MiLB call-up umpire Ryan Blakney witnessed the case of the flying foul tip Sunday during the eighth inning of a tied D'Backs-Brewers game at Miller Park. With none out and none on, Diamondbacks batter Jarrod Saltalamacchia faced a 2-2 fastball from Brewers pitcher Jeremy Jeffress. With the 95-mph heater cruising over the heart of home plate, Saltalamacchia's swing made slight contact with the ball, propelling it directly toward BrewCrew catcher Martin Maldonado's glove.

Replays indicate the ball deflected off Saltalamacchia's bat directly onto the top of Maldonado's glove, popping up into the air behind the right-handed batter's box where it was caught on the fly by the diving catcher and declared a foul tip by plate umpire Blakney.

Case Play Question 2015-04: First, was Blakney's call correct? Was this a caught foul tip for strike three or was this a caught foul ball for an air out? This is an important distinction, for had there been a baserunner attempting to steal during this play, he may have been safe at second on a foul tip, but easily doubled up at first base on a caught foul or fly. Second, what would the call have been had the ball deflected not off Maldonado's glove, but his chest protector or helmet instead (and subsequently been caught on the fly in similar diving fashion) - out or safe? Were the broadcasters correct in their description? What rule(s) covers this?

Case Play Answer 2015-04: 1) Yes, Blakney was correct and the batter was out on three strikes. Rule 5.09(a)(2) [OBR 2015 Rule 6.05(b)] specifies this play was a foul tip out (batter is out when "a third strike is legally caught by the catcher").

Rule 2.00 (Foul Tip) [OBR 2015 Definition of Foul Tip]: "A FOUL TIP is a batted ball that goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher’s hands and is legally caught. It is not a foul tip unless caught and any foul tip that is caught is a strike, and the ball is in play. It is not a catch if it is a rebound, unless the ball has first touched the catcher’s glove or hand."

Replays indicate Maldonado's catch was a rebound that first touched F2's glove/hand, meaning this was a foul tip and the batter is out.

2) Had the ball first contacted Maldonado's equipment (e.g., so the sequence would be BAT=>CHEST PROTECTOR=>GLOVE as opposed to BAT=>GLOVE=>GLOVE), the proper ruling would be a foul ball. If first contact was glove or hand, the proper ruling would be foul tip, if caught (foul ball if dropped). The comment for Rule 5.09(a)(2) [6.05(b)] covers this: "If a foul tip first strikes the catcher’s glove and then goes on through and is caught by both hands against his body or protector, before the ball touches the ground, it is a strike, and if third strike, batter is out. If smothered against his body or protector, it is a catch provided the ball struck the catcher’s glove or hand first."

Thanks to all participants in this discussion; two UEFL CP points are headed your way.

Video: Acrobatics behind home plate result in an out and highlight reel catch in Milwaukee (MIL)

MLB Ejection 157: Chris Segal (2; Ron Gardenhire)

HP Umpire Chris Segal ejected Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire for arguing a foul tip (strike three) call in the bottom of the 1st inning of the Royals-Twins game. With one out and one on, Twins batter Joe Mauer attempted to strike a 3-2 changeup from Royals pitcher Jason Vargas for a swinging third strike as the result of a foul tip. Replays indicate that after making contact with Mauer's bat, the baseball bounced off the dirt before being caught by Royals catcher Salvador Perez, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 6-4.

This is Chris Segal (96)'s second ejection of 2014.
Chris Segal now has -1 points in the UEFL Standings (1 Prev + 3 AAA - 1 Pen - 4 Incorrect = -1).
Crew Chief Fieldin Culbreth now has 13 points in Crew Division (13 Previous + 0 Incorrect = 13).

This is the 157th ejection of 2014.
This is the 77th Manager ejection of 2014.
This is the Twins' 5th ejection of 2014, T-1st in the AL Central (KC, MIN 5; CWS, DET 4; CLE 1).
This is Ron Gardenhire's first ejection since July 29, 2014 (Ted Barrett; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).
This is Chris Segal's first ejection since May 17, 2014 (Ned Yost; QOC = N [HBP/Foul]).

Wrap: Kansas City Royals vs. Minnesota Twins, 8/18/14
Video: Mauer strikes out in the first inning on changeup low-and-away, leading to Gardy's toss (MIN)

MLB Ejection 118, 119: Knight, Carlson (4, 1)

3B Umpire Brian Knight ejected Red Sox RF Shane Victorino in the top of the 7th inning and HP Umpire Mark Carlson ejected Astros Manager Bo Porter for arguing a foul tip (strike three) call in the bottom of the 9th inning of the Red Sox-Astros game. In the 7th, with David Ortiz at-bat, Victorino was ejected. In the 9th, with

Fouled into the dirt for strike three.

none out and none on, Astros batter Jason Castro attempted to strike a 0-2 splitter from Red Sox pitcher Koji Uehara. Replays indicate Castro's bat appeared to make contact with the ball before the ball bounced off the dirt and into Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia's glove, the call was incorrect.* At the time of Victorino's ejection, the Astros were leading, 5-2. At the time of Porter's ejection, the Red Sox were leading, 7-5. The Red Sox ultimately won the contest, 7-5.

This is Brian Knight (91)'s fourth ejection of 2013.
This is Mark Carlson (6)'s first ejection of 2013.
Brian Knight now has 11 points in the UEFL (9 Previous + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable = 11).
Mark Carlson now has -2 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 2 MLB + -4 Incorrect Call = -2).
Crew Chief Gerry Davis now has 6 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (5 + 1 Irrecusable Call = 6).
*Carlson is the calling umpire pursuant to UEFL precedent established in 115, 116: Cederstrom/Carapazza.

These are the 118th and 119th ejections of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 51st player ejection of 2013. Prior to his ejection, Victorino was 1-4 in the contest (K, 3 LOB).
This is the 57th Manager ejection of 2013.
This is the Astros' 1st ejection of 2013, T-4th in the AL West (OAK 5; LAA, TEX 2; HOU, SEA 1).
This is the Red Sox's 7th ejection of 2013, 2nd in the AL East (TOR 8; BOS 7; BAL 5; TB 4; NYY 2).
This is Shane Victorino's 1st ejection since August 5, 2011 (Mike Muchlinski; QOC = Irrecusable [Fighting]).
This is Bo Porter's first career MLB ejection.
This is Brian Knight's first ejection since June 1, 2013 (Don Mattingly; QOC = Correct [Crewmate]).
This is Mark Carlson's first ejection since September 8, 2012 (Mark Parent; QOC = Incorrect).

Wrap: Boston Red Sox vs. Houston Astros, 8/7/13
Video: Shane Victorino confronts Knight over a call which did not concern him (BOS)
Video: A foul ball vs. tip scenario behind home plate produces Porter's argument and ejection (HOU)

MLB Ejections 115, 116: Cederstrom, Carapazza (1, 3)

1B Umpire Gary Cederstrom ejected Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel for arguing a foul tip (strike three) call made by HP Umpire Vic Carapazza and HP Umpire Vic Carapazza ejected Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins for unsportsmanlike-NEC (arguing a previously argued call; repeat visit rule) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the

Cederstrom throws Manuel out of the ballgame.

Braves-Phillies game. With none out and none on, Phillies batter Delmon Young attempted to strike a 0-2 slider from Braves pitcher Craig Kimbrel. Replays indicate Young's bat contacted the pitched baseball and that the ball was subsequently caught off the dirt by Braves catcher Brian McCann, the call was incorrect; Rollins' ejection is irrecusable because he was ejected arguing a previously argued call (Manuel's argument finished when he exited the field). After review, Rollins' ejection is also for arguing the foul tip (strike three call) and is incorrect.** At the time of the ejections, the Braves were leading, 6-4. The Braves ultimately won the contest, 6-4.

This is Gary Cederstrom (38)'s first ejection of 2013.
This is Vic Carapazza (85)'s third ejection of 2013.
Gary Cederstrom now has 0 points in the UEFL (0 + 2 MLB + -2 Incorrect Call [Crewmate] = 0).
Vic Carapazza now has 6 points in the UEFL (8 Previous + 2 MLB + -4 Incorrect Call = 6).
Crew Chief Gary Cederstrom now has 2 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (2 + 0 Incorrect = 2).
*Rollins was ejected for Unsportsmanlike-NEC pursuant to UEFL Rule 6-2-b-5-b ("DiMuro Rule").
**Rollins' reason for ejection was overturned to balls/strikes after review by the UEFL Appeals Board.

These are the 115th and 116th ejections of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 50th player ejection of 2013. Prior to ejection, Rollins was 0-4 in the contest.
This is the Phillies' 3rd/4th ejection of 2013, T-3rd in the NL East (ATL 6; WAS 5; NYM, PHI 4; MIA 2).
This is Charlie Manuel's 2nd ejection of 2013 and first since April 25, 2013 (Dan Iassogna; QOC = Correct).
This is Jimmy Rollins' 1st ejection of 2013 and first since August 23, 2004 (Paul Emmel; QOC = N/A).
This is Gary Cederstrom's first ejection since May 22, 2012 (Carlos Ruiz; QOC = Correct).
This is Vic Carapazza's first ejection since July 13, 2013 (Ron Gardenhire; QOC = Correct).

Wrap: Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies, 8/2/13
Video: Brown ruled to have struck out, leading to Manuel's ejection with Rollins close behind (PHI)