In baseball, a ball is a pitch that is thrown outside the strike zone and is not swung at by the batter. If the pitch is outside the strike zone and the batter does not swing at it, the pitch is called a ball by the umpire.
The strike zone is a defined area of the plate where a pitch must cross in order to be called a strike. The strike zone is determined by the batter’s stance and is typically from the mid-chest to the knees.
If a pitcher throws four balls to a batter during an at-bat, the batter is awarded a free pass to first base, known as a walk. If the pitcher throws three strikes to a batter, the batter is out, either by swinging and missing, or by the pitch being called a strike by the umpire.
In addition to the pitch being outside the strike zone, there are several other reasons why a pitch may be called a ball by the umpire. For example, if the pitcher does not throw the ball within a certain amount of time, the umpire may call a ball. Similarly, if the pitcher makes an illegal motion, such as a balk, the umpire may call a ball.
Overall, a ball is a pitch in baseball that is outside the strike zone and is not swung at by the batter. If the pitcher throws four balls to a batter, the batter is awarded a walk, and if the pitcher throws three strikes to a batter, the batter is out.
