Batter has 2 strikes and on next pitch foul tips it back into catcher. Catcher never gets glove on it but ball lodges in between catcher's thighs and chest protector. Ball never touches ground-is this strike three?

quote:

Originally posted by map:
Batter has 2 strikes and on next pitch foul tips it back into catcher. Catcher never gets glove on it but ball lodges in between catcher's thighs and chest protector. Ball never touches ground-is this strike three?

OBR 2.00

A FOUL TIP is a batted ball that goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher’s hands and is legally caught.

It's not strike three yet.

The ball needs to have first struck the catcher's glove or his hand before striking anything else, and the ball has to be caught.

The ball isn't caught until the catcher has the ball in his glove or hand, and can voluntarily release it.

So if the ball first hit the glove, and was subsequently caught, it is a foul tip. Otherwise, it is a foul ball.

If "never got a glove on it" means the ball didn't hit the catcher's glove first (or his other hand), then it can't be a foul tip.