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Sharply & Directly
The ball goes Sharply & Directly to catcher's glove or hand And is ultimately caught by catcher (it can bounce from the glove or hand to the chest, head, etc. and still be caught)	FOUL TIP
The ball goes Sharply & Directly to catcher's glove or hand And is not caught by catcher	FOUL BALL
The ball goes Sharply & Directly to catcher's glove or hand And is caught by another fielder	FOUL BALL
The ball goes Sharply & Directly to catcher's body And is caught by catcher	FOUL BALL
The ball goes Sharply & Directly to catcher's body And is not caught by catcher	FOUL BALL
The ball goes Sharply & Directly to catcher's body And is caught by another fielder	FOUL BALL
Not Sharply & Directly
•The ball does not go Sharply & Directly to any part of the catcher (body, hands, glove) •And is caught by any defensive player (including the catcher) before touching the ground •It is an OUT
•The ball does not go Sharply & Directly to any part of the catcher (body, hands, glove) •And is not caught by any defensive player (including the catcher) before touching the ground •It is an FOUL BALL (because it was first touched in foul territory)
Hint
If the ball goes sharply and directly to any part of the catcher other than the hand or glove it is a FOUL BALL.
If the ball does not go sharply and directly to any part of the catcher and is caught by any fielder before it touches the ground, it is an OUT.
If the ball does not go sharply and directly to any part of the catcher and is not caught by any fielder before it touches the ground, it is a FOUL BALL.
Interpretation from NFHS
There has been some confusion regarding a 2005 rules change. This message is being sent to clarify the misunderstanding. CLARIFICATION: The clarification involves rule 2-25-1g & 2-25-2 and what constitutes a foul ball/foul tip. Basically, to determine a call in this specific situation, the movement of the ball off the bat must be determined. The recent rules change no longer requires the umpire to make a judgment regarding how high the ball travels off the bat as it relates to the batter's head, but rather if the ball moves DIRECTLY to the catcher or has some perceptible arc. 1. If the ball moves DIRECTLY to the catcher's glove/mitt or hands, we have a foul tip, if caught (2-25-2) or a foul ball, if not caught (2-25-1d). 2. If the ball moves DIRECTLY to the catcher's equipment or person (any place other than the glove/mitt/hand) we have a dead ball and a foul (2-25-1d, 5-1-1d2). 3. If there is any perceptible arc to the flight of the ball (it is not traveling directly to the catcher) and it is caught in flight, the batter is out and the ball remains live. It doesn't matter if it hits the catcher's equipment, it doesn't matter if it's caught by the catcher or any other fielder and it doesn't matter if it stays below the height of the batter's head (recent rules change). If the ball is not caught and is touched in foul territory, it's merely a foul ball.