Uncaught 3rd strike

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by bellnier

That's my dilemma...how can you judge 'intent' here, especially if the batter swings while the ball is in the air and before it thuds to the ground half way between the plates?

Surely you have more difficult judgement calls than this one... What you describe REALLY sounds obvious ... I'm sure there are closer ones that are greyer - and sometimes that's why we get paid - to make a judgement on something.

Just remember - it is a strike if the batter swings the bat in an effort to hit the ball. The one you describe is an easier non-strike than calling a ball on a bunt where they leave the bat out there and don't move it toward the pitch (and that one's pretty easy).