When is a "swing" no longer a strike?

[johnnyg08]

At what point does a batter's opportunity to strike at the ball end?  

In other words, when is a swing-and-a-miss no longer a swinging strike?  

For the purpose of this thread, assume that the pitch would be a called a ball if there was not a swing.  

 

 

Edited May 4, 2015 by johnnyg08

[VAUmp]

If in your judgement, he attempted to hit a pitch, it is a strike.  If you don't believe the batter attempted to hit the pitch (and it is outside of the strike zone), then it is a ball.

[Richvee]

 

At what point does a batter's opportunity to strike at the ball end?  

In other words, when is a swing-and-a-miss no longer a swinging strike?  

For the purpose of this thread, assume that the pitch would be a called a ball if there was not a swing.  

 

 

When the ball's in F2's mitt. 

[JHSump]

 

When the ball's in F2's mitt. 

​I don't know about that! I've seen kids swing that late!

How about: when the ball's on the way back to F1?

[LMSANS]

 

When the ball's in F2's mitt. 

​I'm good with this as long as the movement doesn't start until the ball is in the glove...or behind me.

[Umpire in Chief]

If in your judgement, he attempted to hit a pitch, it is a strike.  If you don't believe the batter attempted to hit the pitch (and it is outside of the strike zone), then it is a ball.

​I'd go with this. Use your gut to tell you if it was an attempt. We've all seen batters swing at absolutely unhitable pitches whether it is due to location or beiing too far ahead or behind the pitch. 

[woodiemiller]

Maybe it could be a very late swing like a 2 strike pitch that goes all the way to the backstop & the batter knows that maybe his best chance to reach base is a dropped 3rd strike situation.

[basejester]

Maybe it could be a very late swing like a 2 strike pitch that goes all the way to the backstop & the batter knows that maybe his best chance to reach base is a dropped 3rd strike situation.

​Not an attempt to hit the pitch, IMHO.

 

[woodiemiller]

​Not an attempt to hit the pitch, IMHO.

 

​Remember, perception is reality.

[woodiemiller]

​Not an attempt to hit the pitch, IMHO.

 

​What about a batter places the bat over the plate as if to attempt to bunt the ball but never pulls back the bat? Is that an attempt? Not by rule it isnt but it sure looks like an attempt.

[grayhawk]

​What about a batter places the bat over the plate as if to attempt to bunt the ball but never pulls back the bat? Is that an attempt? Not by rule it isnt but it sure looks like an attempt.

​I've never seen it happen.  Batters are somewhat vulnerable when in position to bunt, so it's instinctual to pull the bat back if they decide not to drop one down.  It's just not comfortable to leave the bat out there.

[noumpere]

​What about a batter places the bat over the plate as if to attempt to bunt the ball but never pulls back the bat? Is that an attempt? Not by rule it isnt but it sure looks like an attempt.

​It doesn't look like an attempt to anyone who understands the game and the rules.

[woodiemiller]

​It doesn't look like an attempt to anyone who understands the game and the rules.

​Sure it does. It definitely looks like an attempt if a batter leaves the bat out over the plate without pulling it back.

[Rich Ives]

​Sure it does. It definitely looks like an attempt if a batter leaves the bat out over the plate without pulling it back.

​I'm with noumpere.