Which statement correctly describes the status of a foul ball that lands in the stands?

• A. It is a dead ball and has no effect on the count.
• B. It is a fair ball if it lands in the stands.
• C. It is a foul ball and counts toward the strike count (if applicable).
• D. The batter is awarded first base.

Answer: (C)

A ball that is fouled and lands in the stands is treated as a foul ball. The play is dead at that moment, and it does not become a fair ball or any kind of automatic award. A foul ball does count toward the strike count when it would affect the at-bat (for example, if there are fewer than two strikes already). It cannot be the third strike on its own, so the at-bat continues unless the batter already has two strikes and the next event ends the at-bat in another way. So the correct description is that it’s a foul ball, the ball is dead, and it counts toward the strike count as applicable.