What are balls and strikes in baseball?
B · Beginner · The game · 2 of 5Every pitch the batter does not put in play is called a ball or a strike. A strike is a pitch swung at and missed, or one that passes through the strike zone without a swing. Three strikes and the batter is out. Four balls and the batter is given first base. A foul is a strike, but not the third one.
How it works
- The strike zone: over home plate, "from the bottom of the kneecaps to the midpoint between the top of the shoulders and the top of the uniform pants".
- Any part: any part of the ball over any part of the plate at that height is a strike.
- Where it is judged: as it crosses the plate, from the batter's normal stance, not where the catcher catches it.
- A swinging strike: a pitch struck at without the ball touching the bat.
- A foul: a strike when the batter has fewer than two strikes.
- A bunted foul: a strike at any count, the third included.
- A foul tip: a ball that goes sharp from the bat into the catcher's glove and is caught. A strike, and the ball stays in play.
- A ball: a pitch not struck at that does not enter the strike zone in flight. A pitch that bounces is a ball.
- Four balls: the batter is awarded first base. The manager may also signal an intentional walk.
- A half swing: a strike if the head of the bat passes the batter's front hip.
- Hit by a pitch in the zone: a strike, not a base.
- The count: balls are given first, so "3 and 2" is three balls and two strikes.
The glossary has the strike, the ball, the strike zone, the strikeout, the walk and the foul ball.
Tricky cases
The batter has two strikes and hits a foul. Is that strike three?
No. A foul not caught is a strike only when the batter has fewer than two strikes.
The batter has two strikes and bunts foul. Is that strike three?
Yes. A batter who bunts foul on the third strike is out.
A pitch bounces in front of the plate and passes through the strike zone. Ball or strike?
A ball, if the batter does not swing. If the batter swings and misses, it is a strike.
A pitch in the strike zone hits the batter on the elbow. Does the batter go to first?
No. It is a strike, the ball is dead and no runners may advance.
Why the rule exists
The strike zone makes the pitcher throw the ball where it can be hit, and the three-strike limit makes the batter swing at it. Not counting fouls as a third strike lets a batter fight off good pitches, while the bunt exception stops a batter from tapping pitches foul without end.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer than two strikes | A foul is a strike | WBSC Baseball Rule 6.77.3 |
| Two strikes | A foul leaves the count unchanged, unless bunted | WBSC Baseball Rule 6.77.4; 9.10.6 |
| Pitcher too slow with the bases empty | A ball is called | WBSC Baseball Rule 9.6.4 |
| Batter out of the box between pitches | A strike is called | WBSC Baseball Rule 9.5.1 |
From the rule book
World Baseball Softball Confederation, Official Rules of Baseball (2025-2026 edition), Rules 6.3, 6.6, 6.36, 6.38, 6.77, 6.78 and 9.6. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: WBSC Official Rules of Baseball 2025-2026 (PDF).