Caught foul tip 3rd strike

Question
Can you site and quote the specific rule in the rule book that says a caught, foul tip 3rd strike is an out even if it is bobbled and held against the chest protector.  The catcher controlled it in the glove after the trap without the ball hitting the ground.  The umoire said it was not a caught ball unless it is caught clean in the glove without any kind of bobble or trap.

Critical play and i have now heard of it happening twice in the last couple of days.

Answer
Hi Clive,

A "foul tip" is a batted ball that goes sharply and directly from the bat to the catcher's hand/glove and is legally caught by the catcher.  

That's the definition, now if the ball did that, went sharply and directly to the hand or glove and then went then to her chest protector and then she secured the ball in her hand, it is a foul tip and an out on strike 3.  

If the ball went directly to her cp and then she secured it, it is a foul ball.

ASA case book for your consideration, please read it carefully for you to determine what exactly happened in your play

Play 1-59
The ball goes directly from the bat and (a) first touches F2抯 glove or hand and then rebounds to the chest protector,
or (b) strikes F2抯 body, protective equipment or the umpire. In both cases, the ball rebounds into the glove or hand of F2 and is securely held.

RULING: In (a) a foul tip and a strike is ruled. In (b) it is a foul ball. The ball cannot be a foul tip if it first touches anything other than the catcher抯 glove or hand. (1-foul tip; 1-foul ball-c;7-4c)

Mark