Balls, strikes and the strike zone
WBSC · 2026–2029The fast pitch strike zone extends over home plate from the bottom of the batter’s sternum to the bottom of the kneecap in the natural batting stance. A missed swing or a valid pitch through that zone is a strike. A pitch outside the zone that is not swung at is normally a ball.
The rule
The fast pitch strike zone extends over home plate from the bottom of the batter’s sternum to the bottom of the kneecap in the natural batting stance. A missed swing or a valid pitch through that zone is a strike. A pitch outside the zone that is not swung at is normally a ball.
In practice
4 balls award first base; 3 strikes usually retire the batter, subject to the dropped-third-strike rule. An ordinary uncaught foul adds a strike only while there are fewer than 2 strikes. A foul bunt with 2 strikes retires the batter. Modified fast pitch defines a different strike zone, from the armpits to the top of the knees.
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