Strike Zone
The area over home plate between the batter's knees and the midpoint of their torso. Pitches in this zone are strikes.
Why "Strike Zone" Matters
Understanding strike zone helps you follow general situations during a baseball game. Pair this with our rules guide, positions overview, and the full baseball glossary.
Related General Terms
- Count
The number of balls and strikes on a batter. Always stated balls first (e.g., a 3-2 count means 3 balls and 2 strikes). - Designated Hitter (DH)
A player who bats in place of the pitcher but does not play a defensive position. Used in both leagues since 2022. - Foul Ball
A batted ball that lands outside the foul lines. Counts as a strike unless the batter already has two strikes (except bu - Full Count
A count of 3 balls and 2 strikes — the maximum of each before a walk or strikeout.