Strike Zone
The strike zone [ stɹaɪk zoʊn ] is the (invisible) "window" in baseball and softball through which the pitcher must throw the ball . The strike zone is an imaginary column in the form of the home plate just above it. The lower limit is located at the level of the pit below the knee of the batter (batsman). The upper limit is set as the mean height between his belt and his shoulder height. The heights refer to the standing, ready hitter in the typical hitting position of the respective batter. The strike zone is therefore generally lower for smaller batsmen and generally smaller than for larger batsmen, but it is also often different for batsmen of the same size .
In practice, it is now common practice in professional leagues (contrary to the wording of the rules) that the referees base their decisions on a lower upper limit and a strike zone that is slightly shifted to the side of the player.
If the pitcher hits the strike zone and the batsman does not attempt a swing, the throw counts as a strike . Strikes are counted, with the count starting over with each batter. Strikes are announced loud and clear by the referee.
If the pitcher does not hit the strike zone and the batter does not attempt a swing, the throw counts as a ball . Balls are also counted, and this counting starts again with each batter. Balls are usually not popular.
If the batter tries unsuccessfully to hit the throw, the throw always counts as a strike , regardless of whether the throw was in the strike zone or not. In the oldest baseball before 1887, the strike zone did not yet exist and only unsuccessful attempts to hit counted as a strike . The zone was only introduced when some "resourceful" players began to hit balls that were particularly easy to hit, or even not at all, so that sooner or later enough invalid throws ( balls ) were accumulated for a base on balls . Since this tactic destroyed the character of the game, the Strike Zone was added to the rules as a countermeasure.