A strike is called when a pitch is within the strike zone and the batter does not swing.

A strike is called when a pitch is within the strike zone and the batter does not swing.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only if the catcher catches the ball
• D. Only if there are two strikes

Answer: (A)

A called strike happens when a pitched ball travels through the strike zone and the batter does not swing at it. The strike zone is the area the umpire considers a strike zone over home plate, so if the pitch crosses that zone and the batter doesn’t swing, the umpire calls it a strike. This can occur at any count and contributes to the batter’s strike total; if it reaches three, the batter is out. The call doesn’t depend on the catcher catching the ball or on there being two strikes already. Pitches outside the strike zone cannot be called strikes.

A called strike happens when a pitched ball travels through the strike zone and the batter does not swing at it. The strike zone is the area the umpire considers a strike zone over home plate, so if the pitch crosses that zone and the batter doesn’t swing, the umpire calls it a strike. This can occur at any count and contributes to the batter’s strike total; if it reaches three, the batter is out. The call doesn’t depend on the catcher catching the ball or on there being two strikes already. Pitches outside the strike zone cannot be called strikes.