Learn about strikes balls and fouls

While at bat, one of four things can happen each pitch a strike, a ball, a fair ball, or a foul ball. These terms sound confusing because they seem to overlap, but theyre actually fairly simple to learn
A strike is an indication that the batter either could have swung at the ball and didnt, or swung at the ball and missed. Foul balls can result in strikes as well. After three strikes, the batter is out and the next batter steps up to the plate (until three outs are reached). A ball happens when the pitcher pitches a ball thats too far outside the hitting area to be considered hittable by the batter. After four balls, the batter walks, which is a free advancement to first base. Batters will occasionally try to crowd the plate and earn a walk rather than hit the ball.
A fair ball is a ball that the batter hits which lands between the foul lines, allowing the batter to run for first base. A fair ball is what most batters want, most of the time. A foul ball is a ball that the batter hits which lands outside the foul lines. Unless its caught and turned into a flyout, a foul ball just counts as a strike; however, in most cases, players cant get more than two strikes as the result of hitting a foul ball. Additional foul balls arent counted.