What is the ruling when a batted ball is fouled off into the stands?

• A. It is a foul ball and counts toward the strike count (if applicable).
• B. It is a dead ball and has no effect on the count.
• C. It becomes a live ball and the batter may advance at risk.
• D. It is a fair ball if it lands in the stands.

Answer: (A)

When a batted ball is fouled off into the stands, it’s treated as a foul ball. The ball is dead immediately, so no play happens, but that foul counts toward the batter’s strike total. So if the batter has fewer than two strikes, the count increases by one; with two strikes, a foul ball keeps the at-bat alive (it cannot be strike three). The ball into the stands is not a fair ball.