Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 6/14/2007

Question
How has the rule regarding foul balls and number of strikes changed over the years?  Has foul balls ever counted as a strike when there are already 2 strikes on the batter (with the exception of an attempted bunt)?

Answer
Roger,

Foul balls have never been counted as a strike on the third strike.  In fact, the rules have changed in that foul balls used to not count as a strike at all.  

The first change was in 1894.  That made a foul ball a strike when the batter attempted to bunt the ball.  In 1899, the rule was written that a foul tip caught by the catcher counted as a strike.  Finally, in 1901, the current rule was put into place.

Hope this helps!

Brian

But some batters were so skilled at fouling off pitches, that the rule was changed in