Expert: Steve L - 2/21/2005

Question
What is the record for most foul balls in a single at bat and who holds it? I know its not a stat that is actually kept but with people watching pitch counts and modern technology watching every pitch there has to be at least a really sure guess.  

Answer
You're right; foul ball records are not kept, but baseball author Bill James once wrote that Roy Thomas, who played in the National League from 1899 to 1911, fouled off 22 pitches in one at-bat.


Hall of Famer Luke Appling reputedly hit 17 fouls while waiting for a pitch he liked. Appling, Chicago White Sox shortstop who won the 1936 AL batting championship with a .388 average, was a master at deliberately fouling off pitches.