foul ball

noun

, Baseball.

1. a batted ground ball that is hit and played outside the foul lines, or that passes outside the foul lines at first or third base, or that is played outside the foul line between home and first or third base regardless of where hit.
2. a batted fly ball played or landing outside the foul lines.
3. Slang. an incompetent, unlucky, or eccentric person.

Word History and Origins

Origin of foul ball¹

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60

Example Sentences

As a boy, he would mow the grass, rake the clay, then chase foul balls during games.

From Washington Post

As velocity continues to increase, batters have swung and missed more and more, and foul balls have increased.

From FiveThirtyEight

The second occurred on a foul ball that went into the stands behind third base against the Boston Red Sox in 2004.

From The Daily Beast

And if a foul ball be similarly held after touching the ground but once, it shall be considered a fair catch.

From Project Gutenberg