Strikeouts on Foul Tips?


With an 0-2 count and no runners on base, batter swings and misses the pitch. The pitch hits the catcher in his chest protector, but then the catcher is able to secure the ball in his glove before the ball hits the ground. What does the umpire call?
 
In a similar situation (0-2 and no base runners), the batter swings and tips the pitch directly into the catcher's chest protector, but then the catcher is able to secure the ball in his glove before the ball hits the ground. What does the umpire call?
 
Call
A catch is an act when a fielder gets secure possession (in his glove or hand) of a live ball in flight and firmly holding it (NF 2-9-1).
 
A foul tip is a batted ball that goes sharply/directly to either of the catcher's hands and then is legally caught by the catcher. The pitch is a strike and the ball remains live (NF 2-16-2).
 
In the first situation below, the catcher legally caught the pitch. Since it was a third strike, to batter is out.
 
In the second situation, the tipped pitch did not go sharply/directly to either the catcher's hand or mitt -- so this a foul ball.