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

On a night when two Yankees fans literally tore a foul ball out of Mookie Betts’ glove, the Yankees were desperate.

From Los Angeles Times

“I even saw somebody try to reach for a foul ball.”

From Los Angeles Times

Those differences, Ohtani said, resulted in foul balls on pitches he felt like he could have done damage.

From Los Angeles Times

“I mean they have foul balls, you know, you throw the ball back in there.”

From Los Angeles Times

“I throw balls in both dugouts all the time — they have foul balls, you throw the ball back in there,” Machado said.

From Los Angeles Times