Bunt Attempt

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by yawetag

The rules don't have it, but you posted the rule that has it. Interesting oxymoron.

The rules do have it, just not in those words. Naturally, the rules do not define what is NOT a strike; but 7-2-1 defines what is:

ART. 1 . . . A strike is charged to the batter when:
a. a pitch enters any part of the strike zone in flight and is not struck at;
b. a pitch is struck at and missed (even if the pitch touches the batter);
c. a pitch becomes a foul when the batter has less than two strikes;
d. a pitch becomes a foul tip (even on third strike) or a foul from an attempted
bunt;
e. a batter delays (6-2-4d-1 and 7-3-1); or
f. a batted ball contacts the batter in the batter’s box (foul ball).

It follows from (b) that in the case of a bunt the pitch must be "struck at," which entails the case book ruling that merely holding the bat over the plate does not constitute a strike.

Q.E.D.