In baseball, a "strike" is a term used to describe a pitch that the batter swings at and misses, or a pitch that is thrown within the strike zone but not swung at. The strike zone is the area over home plate, between the batter's knees and the midpoint of their torso. A batter accumulates strikes during their at-bat, and three strikes result in a strikeout.
Strikes are an essential part of the game, influencing the outcome of each at-bat. When a batter has two strikes, they are at risk of striking out, which can change the momentum of the game. Understanding strikes is crucial for both players and fans to appreciate the strategy involved in baseball.