Pitched Ball Bounce through the Strike Zone

[C12]

Sorry I can't find the answer to this innocuous question. I know a batter can swing at a bounced pitch. But can a pitch that bounces through the strike zone be a "called" strike?

Ive never seen it, and I pity the umpire who calls it. My guess is that Yes, its a strike but who wants that end of the stick?

[basejester]

Definition of Terms

A BALL is a pitch which does not enter the strike zone in flight and
is not struck at by the batter. If the pitch touches the ground and bounces
through the strike zone it is a “ball.”

[Sut'n Blue]

If it bounces, even if it passes through the strike zone, it can never be a called strike. 

Though not relevant to the OP, if the batter swings and misses at a pitch that bounces and the catcher "catches" it, it can be a dropped third strike.

[noumpere]

If it bounces, even if it passes through the strike zone, it can never be a called strike. 

Though not relevant to the OP, if the batter swings and misses at a pitch that bounces and the catcher "catches" it, it can be a dropped third strike.

Why did this post get a "-1" rating?  It seems substantially correct to me (with a quibble on the words "can be" -- it *is* an uncaught third strike).

[BillKen]

I don't mean to demean the OP in any way.  I sometimes like to answer questions with questions to get the person asking the question to think a little.  It is the teacher in me!  So, if a bouncing ball could be a strike, does it make sense that somewhere along the way pitchers would have worked that into their arsenal and it would be a more regular part of the game?  

Others have already adequately answered...but its fun to think about stuff like this sometimes!  What if bouncers were legal?  Would that give the defense an advantage or the offense?

[Omega194]

Never Unless batter swings and misses Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[maven]

The ONLY thing a bounced pitch cannot be is a called strike.

[scrounge]

I think in 1875 it was a strike. Not lately, though.

[umpref19]

No in softball also. Sent from my LG-D415 using Tapatalk

[webspinnre]

I don't mind ratings, but I really wish there were a way to set it that all posts automatically sort by date, and can be changed to sort by rating.

[stkjock]

The ONLY thing a bounced pitch cannot be is a called strike.

batter swings and misses?  happens all the time in balls in the dirt does it not?

Edited July 27, 2015 by stkjock
added detail

[maven]

batter swings and misses?  happens all the time in balls in the dirt does it not?

That would be a swinging strike, not a called strike.

[stkjock]

That would be a swinging strike, not a called strike.

Of course, I missed that part in the OP.  Thank you.

[cyclone]

Only in cricket.

[lilleaguer]

The ONLY thing a bounced pitch cannot be is a called strike.

Additionally, a bounced pitch cannot be a caught swinging strike.

[noumpere]

The ONLY thing a bounced pitch cannot be is a called strike.

Hmm ...   (and, no, I do not disagree in reality -- just another error in the book -- the definition section contains the proper wording) 

(2) He is touched by a pitched ball which he is not attempting

to hit unless (A) The ball is in the strike zone when it

touches the batter, or (B) The batter makes no attempt to

avoid being touched by the ball;

(2) If the ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter,

it shall be called a strike, whether or not the batter tries to

avoid the ball. If the ball is outside the strike zone when

it touches the batter, it shall be called a ball if he makes

no attempt to avoid being touched.

[alan2703]

Can not be called a strike but I would loved to do with one of my high school games each pitcher was worst than the other,

mercy inning could not come fast enough

[johnpatrick]

Just an add-on...a bounced pitch can also be a foul tip.

[Jimurray]

No in BASEBALL!!!

 

SOFTBALL????????

Don't know about softball but Wendelstedt says a bounced pitch that then is hit sharp and direct to the catcher's glove or hand and is then caught is a foul tip.

[ScubaUmp]

No in BASEBALL!!!

 

SOFTBALL????????

[Jimurray]

Why did this post get a "-1" rating?  It seems substantially correct to me (with a quibble on the words "can be" -- it *is* an uncaught third strike).

Sidebar: It appears the post now is rated 0. The ratings and sort by ratings as default should go away IMHO.