foul ball

American  

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.

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Etymology

Origin of foul ball

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60

Example Sentences

They forced Snell to labor through 29 pitches, tormenting him with an array of foul balls and refusing to go down easily.

From The Wall Street Journal

Same goes for these ridiculous battles for foul balls and home runs.

From The Wall Street Journal

The previous night, Smith had returned to the lineup a week after taking a foul ball off his throwing hand.

From Los Angeles Times

Undeterred, he went back on the attack, getting one foul ball with a heater on the inner half, then another with a curveball that leaked over the plate.

From Los Angeles Times

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