Running out foul pop-ups : Am I missing something ?

[kwales]

During last nights game in the first inning Miguel Cabrera hit a pop up in foul territory. As I watched I realized he stood in the batters box area watching it and didn't run at all down the first base line.

If the defensive player who caught that pop-up had dropped it, the ball would be in play - correct?

(I've been watching baseball for many years now and I don't believe I have this wrong...if I do please tell me.)

[will the thrill]

Originally Posted by kwales

During last nights game in the first inning Miguel Cabrera hit a pop up in foul territory. As I watched I realized he stood in the batters box area watching it and didn't run at all down the first base line.

If the defensive player who caught that pop-up had dropped it, the ball would be in play - correct?

(I've been watching baseball for many years now and I don't believe I have this wrong...if I do please tell me.)

foul territory = foul ball

I think there's a bit of a loophole where if a guy drops it and it lands fair it's fair, or if he has a foot in fair territory it's fair, but once the ball is safely away from fair ground it's a foul ball, no need to run it out

[kwales]

Will, thanks. I must be getting old because the confusion set it about when it would be in play and when it isn't.

I appreciate your help.

[PuNk42AE]

It's a foul ball even if it's dropped, BUT if there are runners on base they can move up if it's dropped. Just not get the Batter on.

[thewave84]

As soon as a player touches a ball in foul territory it is foul (doesn't matter where any parts of the player's body are). The only reason to run out a foul pop-up is because sometimes they have ridiculous amounts of spin and they could land 10 or more feet foul and still roll into fair territory before someone touches them. However, this only applies if the ball has not travelled beyond first or 3rd base. If a ball has clearly travelled beyond the bases and is clearly foul with no chance of hooking fair, then there is no reason to run it out.

[Ingefanclub]

Originally Posted by PuNk42AE

It's a foul ball even if it's dropped, BUT if there are runners on base they can move up if it's dropped. Just not get the Batter on.

I doubt this is true.

[will the thrill]

Originally Posted by PuNk42AE

It's a foul ball even if it's dropped, BUT if there are runners on base they can move up if it's dropped. Just not get the Batter on.

Actually they can't. I think you are thinking of an Infield fly, where if the fielder drops the ball, runners can advance

[lesgoblu02]

Originally Posted by will the thrill

Actually they can't. I think you are thinking of an Infield fly, where if the fielder drops the ball, runners can advance

I believe this is correct. A dropped foul ball is a foul ball, making it a dead ball.

[cruzer1]

I wonder what Bill James has to say about this...

[tiger337]

Originally Posted by cruzer1

I wonder what Bill James has to say about this...

What's the probability that a pop foul will hit the ground untouched and then spin into fair territory before going by first base or third base?

[Oblong]

the runner cannot advance if it's dropped. That's why you might see a guy not catch a long foul fly down the line with a runner on third base and less than 2 outs. They can advance on the out but not on a foul ball. A dropped foul is a foul nontheless.

[The Truman Show]

Originally Posted by Oblong

the runner cannot advance if it's dropped. That's why you might see a guy not catch a long foul fly down the line with a runner on third base and less than 2 outs. They can advance on the out but not on a foul ball. A dropped foul is a foul nontheless.

This.

[pyrotigers]

The only occasion when it really matters is if the ball is touched in FAIR territory by a player and then drops foul, then it's a fair ball.

I was once almost ejected from a girl's softball game because the umpire completely blew this call and cost a cousin of mine extra bases.

[kwales]

Thanks again guys for taking the time to explain it to me. Much appreciated.

[JayVee7777]

Originally Posted by thewave84

As soon as a player touches a ball in foul territory it is foul (doesn't matter where any parts of the player's body are). The only reason to run out a foul pop-up is because sometimes they have ridiculous amounts of spin and they could land 10 or more feet foul and still roll into fair territory before someone touches them. However, this only applies if the ball has not travelled beyond first or 3rd base. If a ball has clearly travelled beyond the bases and is clearly foul with no chance of hooking fair, then there is no reason to run it out.

This.