Editing Baseball (section)

=== Defense ===
[[File:Strike zone en.JPG|left|thumb|The [[strike zone]] determines the result of most pitches, and varies in vertical length for each batter.]]
A pitch that is not hit into the field of play is called either a strike or a ball. A batter against whom three strikes are recorded [[strikeout|strikes out]]. A batter against whom four balls are recorded is awarded a [[base on balls]] or walk, a free advance to first base. (A batter may also freely advance to first base if the batter's body or uniform is [[Hit by pitch|struck by a pitch]] outside the strike zone, provided the batter does not swing and attempts to avoid being hit.)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/downloads/y2008/official_rules//06_the_batter.pdf|title=Official Rules/6.00—The Batter (Rule 6.08b)|access-date=April 12, 2012|publisher=Major League Baseball|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529025727/http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/downloads/y2008/official_rules//06_the_batter.pdf|archive-date=May 29, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> Crucial to determining balls and strikes is the umpire's judgment as to whether a pitch has passed through the [[strike zone]], a conceptual area above home plate extending from the midpoint between the batter's shoulders and belt down to the hollow of the knee.<ref name="MLBR2">{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/downloads/y2008/official_rules/02_definition_of_terms.pdf|title=Official Rules/2.00—Definitions of Terms|access-date=February 2, 2009|publisher=Major League Baseball|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205011321/http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/downloads/y2008/official_rules/02_definition_of_terms.pdf|archive-date=February 5, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> Any pitch which does not pass through the strike zone is called a ball, unless the batter either swings and misses at the pitch, or hits the pitch into foul territory; an exception [[Foul tip|generally]] occurs if the ball is hit into foul territory when the batter already has two strikes, in which case neither a ball nor a strike is called.

[[File:Navy baseball.jpg|thumb|A [[shortstop]] tries to [[tag out]] a runner who is sliding head first, attempting to reach second base.]]
While the team at bat is trying to score runs, the team in the field is attempting to record outs. In addition to the strikeout and flyout, common ways a member of the batting team may be put out include the [[Ground out (baseball)|ground out]], [[force play|force out]], and [[tag out]]. These occur either when a runner is forced to advance to a base, and a fielder with possession of the ball reaches that base before the runner does, or the runner is touched by the ball, held in a fielder's hand, while not on a base. (The batter-runner is always forced to advance to first base, and any other runners must advance to the next base if a teammate is forced to advance to their base.) It is possible to record two outs in the course of the same play. This is called a [[double play]]. Three outs in one play, a [[triple play]], is possible, though rare. Players put out or retired must leave the field, returning to their team's [[dugout (baseball)|dugout]] or bench. A runner may be stranded on base when a third out is recorded against another player on the team. Stranded runners do not benefit the team in its next turn at bat as every half-inning begins with the bases empty.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/downloads/y2008/official_rules//06_the_batter.pdf|title=Official Rules/6.00—The Batter (Rule 6.05)|access-date=February 3, 2009|publisher=Major League Baseball|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205011324/http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/downloads/y2008/official_rules//06_the_batter.pdf|archive-date=February 5, 2009 |url-status=live}} {{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/downloads/y2008/official_rules/07_the_runner.pdf|title=Official Rules/7.00—The Runner (Rules 7.08, 7.10)|access-date=February 3, 2009|publisher=Major League Baseball|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205011328/http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/downloads/y2008/official_rules/07_the_runner.pdf|archive-date=February 5, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref>