And another weird one

[Jerry]

Peter,
I can appreciate your decision and that's not what I'm questioning. I would have called it a strike, by definition of a "legal pitch which is struck at by the batter and missed." In that same definition however, are the words "when so called by the umpire." I suppose you can call it anything you want, and be able to justify it with some pretty persuasive arguments, which you did. Because the defense and 745 paying spectators didn't lynch you is hardly a persuasive argument though.

BUT . . . FED rules allow for an Intentional Walk without requiring pitches to be made. Ostensibly, for the very reason you cited for NOT calling it a strike.(To prevent a batter from swinging and forcing the pitcher to make additional throws; could cause unnecessary injuries, slow the game down, etc. etc. etc.) Using that logic, a swing at a pitch obviously outside and unable to be hit in rules that require pitches to be thrown . . . would conclude that such a pitch should be called a "Strike" not a "Ball", otherwise the rules of the game would prohibit a batter from swinging at an obviously unhittable ball.

What do you think of my reasoning?

Jerry