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

It’s the roaring opposite of lazy foul ball spring training.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

It’s gotten so bad that when we see an adult do the right thing and fork a foul ball over to a child, we’re practically nominating them for a Nobel.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 3, 2025

He’s suggested rethinking how the foul ball works or toying with the pitch clock to give a slightly longer break to pitchers.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 20, 2025

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 • Oct. 30, 2024

I was thirteen and didn’t know a foul ball from a fastball, but the Tigers were in town and the moment I heard they had a Jewish slugger called Hank Greenberg, I was hooked.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin