Foul Ball Meaning in Softball

A foul ball is a batted ball that lands outside the legal playing lines. The ball is dead immediately and runners must return to their original starting bases. If a batter has fewer than two strikes, a foul ball counts as a strike. Catching a foul ball in the air results in an out for the batter. A hitter swings and sends the ball into the screen behind the catcher. The umpire yells foul and the pitcher receives a new ball for play. This happens very frequently during a game as batters try to time the pitch. Foul balls can be used strategically by hitters to tire out the opposing pitcher. Knowing where the foul lines are is critical for every player on the field.