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I'm almost positive that sometime in the mid to late 50's, maybe only in the American League, and for a short period - maybe only a year or so, that rule was instituted.
It was the result of several consecutive years when batters would try to wear the pitcher out with fouling the ball off instead of trying to get a hit. Unfortunately, the only substantiation I've ever been able to run across, was The Statler Brothers. That line is in their lyrics for "Do You Remember These?" "Four foul balls - yer out!"
Perhaps in the decade after the game was first started, perhaps; in softball leagues, perhaps; in the women's leagues during the 40's, perhaps; in local games in local communities by agreement to speed up the game, perhaps.
PS. I just checked on the Rules through the 20th Century and I can't find anything about four foull balls and your "OUT".
No, there has never been a rule concerning calling a batter out for fouling off pitches with the exception that the foul was due to a failed bunt attempt on a third strike. Actually, before 1901 in the National League and 1903 in the American League there was a rule called the No Foul Strike rule. This rule stated that foul balls were only counted as strikes in three instances: a failed bunt attempt, a foul tip, and if the umpire judged that the batter had not made an 'honest' attempt to hit the ball into fair territory. The third instance was very rarely used and only when the umpire deemed the batter to be fooled by the pitch and was swinging solely to make contact and not have the pitch by called a strike by the umpire.
Definitely, yes! I grew up in the 1950s and 60s going to Wrigley Field and foul balls were counted - 4 and you're out. They even listed foul balls on TV. But then I moved to Maine and by the time I was willing to watch the Red Sox, that rule was gone, somewhere in the mid 70s. But I definitely remember it!
Cubbies and Red Sox Lady
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Why are balls called balls when referring to balls and strikes?
A "strike" is a "fair ball" -- one that passed through the strike zone. A "foul ball" is one that passed outside of the strike zone. "Foul" is also used to refer to a ball that hits the batter. Baseball commentators got into the habit of saying "ball!" instead of "foul ball" to avoid a lengthy explanation of exactly what happened.
What is the most foul balls in one at bat in MLB?
17
Why is it that a average lifespan of a major baseball league to be 7 pitches?
Foul balls, pitchers throw the ball into the dirt and the ball gets scuffed, home runs
What year did Tony Perez hit 26 foul balls?
1976 or 1977
Who hit 19 foul balls in a row striking the same women twice?
Richie Ashburn
How many fowl balls in a row happened in baseball?
FOUL BALLS
What is the limit of foul balls allowed in softball?
There is no limit on the number of foul balls.
How many foul balls may a player kick before they are out?
You appear to be confusing this sport with baseball.
Has Major League baseball ever moved the foul lines out and then back in?
No.
Is foul ball counted as a strike?
It depends on how the game is being played. Most of the time, foul balls don't count as a strike; you can hit a ton of foul balls while you're up to bat and it won't matter. If you're playing a strict game of baseball, though, if you go up to bat and hit two foul balls, they count as strikes. Then, if you miss the ball or whatever, that would be your third strike. And you're out. :) Foul balls count as strikes when every the batter does not have two strikes, once a batter gets two strikes foul balls are no longer counted as strikes.
Is there a rule for 99 foul balls?
No
Why are balls called balls when referring to balls and strikes?
A "strike" is a "fair ball" -- one that passed through the strike zone. A "foul ball" is one that passed outside of the strike zone. "Foul" is also used to refer to a ball that hits the batter. Baseball commentators got into the habit of saying "ball!" instead of "foul ball" to avoid a lengthy explanation of exactly what happened.
What is a ball girl?
Ball girls are female employees of a baseball team. They sit along the foul lines to jump up and retrieve foul balls hit on their foul line. They are usually young and at least reasonably attractive.
What is a word for hitting snooker balls all wrong?
A foul shot or foul stroke
What do turkeys have in common with foul balls?
Well, I'm guessing it has to do with the Turkey balls, which are the things that hang from the turkey's neck. So a ball in foul territory is a foul ball, and the things under a turkey's neck are fowl balls. That's all I got. Anybody else?
In baseball do the girls get paid for sitting in the chairs on the side and catching ground foul balls?
maybe but if not then they probably get payed with tickets and maybe food to
What is the backstop position?
The backstop on a baseball field is position behind home plate to block stray pitches or foul balls. This helps to prevent more balls from being lost in the stands and potential injuries to spectators.
