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Originally Posted by varefump
BuggBob is absolutely correct. This would be a strike and dead ball (foul).
Dakota was right with the definitions but his explanations are wrong.
There's nothing in the rulebook of that states the batter has to attempt to hit the ball in order for a pitch to be ruled a strike. What would be the call if a batter swings late (after the catcher has already caught the ball) and the pitch was not in the strike zone? That's a strike in my book.
The NCAA and NFHS made interpretations regarding this exact play a few years ago. The batter can only swing at a pitch one time. Contact with the ball by the bat after the first swing is considered a foul ball.
I know, MCROWDER will disagree, but intent is not a factor.
Using the definitions of a strike: "any pitch ... that is swung at by the batter and missed" and when a pitch starts: "when one hand is taken off the ball or the pitcher makes any motion that is part of the windup...", it is clear that the ruling on this play is a strike and foul ball.
Hopefully, you naysayers will own up to the fact that you are wrong this time.
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NFHS Rule Book
Rule 2: Definitions
Section 56: Strike, Strikeout, Strike Zone
Art. 1... Strike. A strike is
ANY pitch that ...is swung at by the batter and missed.
Rule 7: Batting
Section 2: Strikes, Balls And Hits
Art. 1... A strike is charged to the batter when:
b. a
PITCHED BALL is struck at and missed.
I read that to mean after a pitch is released from the pitchers hand (any pitch) and a batter misses it upon swinging the bat (striking at a pitched ball) it is to be called a strike. I don't think an umpire is to judge the intent of the batter and I believe the batter is to be allowed only one swing. Until I see a rule that clearly allows a batter to swing fully through the plate after the ball is pitched and not have it called a strike I believe any swing and miss at a pitched ball should be called a strike. Just because the swing was way early and the umpire believes his intent was not to hit the ball it does not make it a non-swing IMO. ..Al