A foul can count as a strike if there is not two strikes. I f your fist pitch is a foul, that's strike one. If you get a strike first and then foul, that's strike two. Or if you gettwo fouls in a row with no strikes, that's strike one and two. If you have two strikes (no matter how you got them) you cannot strike out on a foul. So if you do foul in that situation, it does not count as anything and your pitch count remains the same.
yes excepet for one strike two
pitch
First pitch strikes are a key in the success of pitchers. Data shows that hitters in 0-1 counts are more likely to swing at pitches that are border line or out of the strike zone. A hitters batting average is higher when batting 1-0 as opposed to 0-1. The avergae pitcher will throw 1st pitch strikes 60% of the time.
A "hitter's count" is a baseball term that means the batter has more balls than strikes in the current at bat. A count of 2 balls and 0 strikes or 3 balls and 1 strike or 3 balls and 0 strikes would be considered a "hitter's count" and a count of 2 balls and 1 strike could also be considered a "hitter's count" because if the pitcher throws a ball on the next pitch the count goes to 3 balls and 1 strike and then one more ball allows the batter to reach first base on a base on balls. So the pitcher must throw a ball over the plate and should he make just the slightest of errors allowing the ball to cross, say, the middle of the plate at belt height, the batter may be able to hit it hard somewhere to get a base hit and start a rally or knock in a run or two should there be runners on base. When the count is 3 balls and 1 strike, for example, the batter does not have to swing at a pitch that he doesn't think he can hit hard because, if the pitch is called a strike, the batter still 'alive' and able to do damage on the next pitch. When the count favors the batter, the batter can be more selective in what pitch they decide to swing at. Just like there is a "hitter's count", there is a "pitcher's count". This would be when there are more strikes than balls (0 balls and 1 strike, 0 balls and 2 strikes, 1 ball and 2 strikes). This count allows the pitcher to not have to throw a strike on the next pitch since a ball will not put the batter on base or change the count to a "hitter's count". The pitcher may try to throw something like a curve ball that starts out over the plate and then curves off the plate in the hopes that the batter will be fooled and swing at the pitch, a pitch that the batter will not be able to hit hard even should he make contact. When the count is 1 ball and 2 strikes, for example, the pitcher does not have to throw a pitch that is a strike because, if the pitch is called a ball, the pitcher can throw a strike that is not over the middle of the plate on the next pitch to get the batter out. When the count favors the pitcher, the pitcher can be more selective in what pitch they throw and the location of that pitch.
If the pitch count is at 2 strikes and 3 balls that is a "full count" meaning the next pitch is the last for that batter. (For all you critics; this is because in softball, if the third strike is fouled out of play the batter is out)
When batting you have to adjust your strike zone to the count. When you have three balls, you need the absolutely perfect pitch to swing at it. However, if you have 2 strikes on you, you need to protect the plate and swing at anything close. These are the extremes, say you have a 1-2 count - you have a pretty wide strike zone. If you have a 2-1 count your strike zone is a little tighter than when you started out.
Baseball is uniquely American. Its a sport of numbers and statistics. The strike out is one such statistic that many a fan counts. For any pitcher a strike out is a difficult task especially against todays amazing batters. To find a pitcher throwing 13 strike outs in 2009 isn't an easy task but it is possible. Many a true fan has counted each strike out. Pitch by pitch is recorded and posted. The almanac is one of these places where the records go, as well as, team sites and fan built pages. With a little effort any question can be answered.
60mph
none
43 feet
yes