Foul Balls

KCBOOMER · 10-01-2002, 04:27 PM

Anybody got any idea what the ML record is for foul balls in one at bat??

VNV Nation · 10-01-2002, 04:39 PM

My guess is it's held by Richie Ashburn.

Fuzzy Bear · 10-01-2002, 06:14 PM

I wonder how many foul balls at one AB Ross Barnes racked up. Particularly in the days where the just changed the rule which allowed a ball that hit fair and rolled foul to be a fair ball.

SmedIndy · 10-02-2002, 05:16 AM

Those weren't "foul balls" then.

Back before the 1890's there was unlimited fouls without a strike. I'm sure it was back then when someone fouled off 20 or so pitches.

Wee Willie Keeler probably has the record.

VNV Nation · 10-02-2002, 09:41 AM

Roy Thomas was responsible for that rule change.

Ytown Tribe fan · 10-03-2002, 06:12 PM

I read somewhere that it was Joe Sewell who holds the record; can't remember where I read it now.

SmedIndy · 10-03-2002, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ytown Tribe fan
I read somewhere that it was Joe Sewell who holds the record; can't remember where I read it now.

Ahhh...bet that was just an urban legend. No one really counted these things for a long time.

Way back in the day, you could throw an almost unlimited amount of pitches to a batter because of the nine ball rule, coupled with the high and low pitch and that a pitch wouldn't be called a ball unless it was "unfair".

I'm sure fouling balls off were another piece of the puzzle.

SmedIndy · 10-03-2002, 10:40 PM

The NL first had the foul strike rule in 1901. The AL didn't follow suit until 1903.

A foul ball on a bunt attempt was NOT a strike until 1894; Wee Willie Keeler and Jack Crooks were the credit for that rule.

In 1895, a foul tip was ruled a strike but only if the catcher CAUGHT the ball within the catchers' box.

Because of the no foul strike rule, the 1893 leader (NY Giants)in K's by a pitching staff only had 395 (3.5 per game) while Louisville had just 190 in 114 games.

I am sure the "leader" of fouling pitches off without a strike being called happened in the 1880's or 1890's, when anything went.

They did have a rule on the book to call a strike on a batter who was "deliberately fouling off pitches in an effort to delay the game", but that fell into disuse when former pitcher-turned-umpire Fred Goldsmith called this rule on Jack Boyle of the Browns in 1888, after Boyle bunted a foul pop. The trouble was, Brooklyn's catcher Bob Clark caught the ball, and Goldsmith had to void the catch because he called the pitch a strike already.

10-01-2002, 04:27 PM	#1
KCBOOMER NetShrine All-Century Team Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Home of the T-Bones Posts: 11,116	Foul Balls Anybody got any idea what the ML record is for foul balls in one at bat?? __________________ KCBOOMER *Buck O'Neil: The Monarch of Baseball*

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Passed Balls Unfair?	Max Power	2003 Baseball History Archives	9	02-02-2003 10:25 AM
Balls Fail Troy's Squeeze Test	Max Power	2002 Hot Baseball Chatter Archives	12	10-22-2002 07:43 PM
Foul Balls?	BravesWin!	2003 Seventh Inning Stretch Archives	8	10-10-2002 08:11 PM
Small Thoughts Today	Xanadu Dragon	2002 Baseball History Archives	14	01-10-2002 02:12 PM
Baseball Lingo	NetShrine	2001 Baseball History Archives	46	12-18-2001 11:03 AM

10-01-2002, 04:39 PM	#2
VNV Nation Membership Suspended 11/19/02 Join Date: May 2002 Location: VNV Nation Posts: 2,952	My guess is it's held by Richie Ashburn.

10-01-2002, 06:14 PM	#3
Fuzzy Bear NetShrine's Evangelist Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Living by faith, and not by sight! Posts: 2,194	I wonder how many foul balls at one AB Ross Barnes racked up. Particularly in the days where the just changed the rule which allowed a ball that hit fair and rolled foul to be a fair ball.

10-02-2002, 05:16 AM	#4
SmedIndy NetShrine's Historian Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Zionsville, IN Posts: 10,569	Those weren't "foul balls" then. Back before the 1890's there was unlimited fouls without a strike. I'm sure it was back then when someone fouled off 20 or so pitches. Wee Willie Keeler probably has the record.

10-02-2002, 09:41 AM	#5
VNV Nation Membership Suspended 11/19/02 Join Date: May 2002 Location: VNV Nation Posts: 2,952	Roy Thomas was responsible for that rule change.

10-03-2002, 06:12 PM	#6
Ytown Tribe fan Guest Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Scrappers territory Posts: 2,515	I read somewhere that it was Joe Sewell who holds the record; can't remember where I read it now.

10-03-2002, 10:40 PM	#8
SmedIndy NetShrine's Historian Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Zionsville, IN Posts: 10,569	The NL first had the foul strike rule in 1901. The AL didn't follow suit until 1903. A foul ball on a bunt attempt was NOT a strike until 1894; Wee Willie Keeler and Jack Crooks were the credit for that rule. In 1895, a foul tip was ruled a strike but only if the catcher CAUGHT the ball within the catchers' box. Because of the no foul strike rule, the 1893 leader (NY Giants)in K's by a pitching staff only had 395 (3.5 per game) while Louisville had just 190 in 114 games. I am sure the "leader" of fouling pitches off without a strike being called happened in the 1880's or 1890's, when anything went. They did have a rule on the book to call a strike on a batter who was "deliberately fouling off pitches in an effort to delay the game", but that fell into disuse when former pitcher-turned-umpire Fred Goldsmith called this rule on Jack Boyle of the Browns in 1888, after Boyle bunted a foul pop. The trouble was, Brooklyn's catcher Bob Clark caught the ball, and Goldsmith had to void the catch because he called the pitch a strike already.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)