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

Dalton Rushing, who replaced Smith after he took a foul ball off his hand in the second inning, lined out to move a runner.

From Los Angeles Times

And as it stretched on through the summer — compounded by foot contusion on a foul ball he suffered in July — frustration began to mount.

From Los Angeles Times

To that end, a foul ball he took off his foot last month hasn’t helped matters either.

From Los Angeles Times

“He has to go cover a foul ball and run over to first base and run back to the mound. He should have an opportunity take a break and take a blow.”

From Los Angeles Times

On one recent broadcast, after a foul ball was lined back into the booth, the audience saw Randazzo triumphantly hold up the ball, which would have been the end of the scene on many broadcasts.

From Los Angeles Times