advancing a baserunner

[Guest alan]

A batter has a 2 ball 1 strike count and with one out there is a runner on first base. On the next pitch the batter tips the ball into the catchers glove . Is the batter out and can the runner advance?

[pnewton]

So "sharp and direct" from the bat to the glove and is caught. This is the rule book definition of a foul tip. It's strike two and the runner may advance. In other words treat it like a swing and miss as long as the catcher legally caught the pitch.

Many people use the term foul tip incorrectly, but this is actually it.

[Aging_Arbiter]

As @pnewton stated...

A FOUL TIP is a batted ball that goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher’s hands and is legally caught. It is not a foul tip unless caught and any foul tip that is caught is a strike, and the ball is in play. It is not a catch if it is a rebound, unless the ball has first touched the catcher’s glove or hand.

[beerguy55]

And, the runner doesn't need to tag up.  

[ArchAngel72]

foul tip  counts now 2-2  runner could advance without tagging up.