The word "called strikes" refers to a pitch in baseball that is successfully called a strike by the umpire. The spelling of this word is /kɔld/ /straɪks/, which means the first syllable is pronounced with the vowel sound /ɔ/ as in "law", and the second syllable has the long vowel sound /aɪ/ as in "eye". The IPA transcription also shows the soft /d/ sound at the end of the first syllable and the voiceless /s/ sound at the beginning of the second syllable.
"Called strikes" refers to a term primarily used in the sport of baseball to describe a pitch that is deemed to have been within the designated strike zone, according to the umpire's judgment. In this context, the strike zone is an imaginary box-shaped area that spans from the midpoint between the batter's shoulders and the top of their uniform pants, and extends vertically from the batter's knees to the midpoint between their shoulders and waist.
When the pitcher throws a pitch that crosses any part of the strike zone and the umpire determines it to be a fair pitch, it is classified as a called strike. In order for the pitch to be considered fair, it must not only pass through the strike zone but also be within the vertical limits established by the batter's knees and shoulders. Essentially, a called strike is a judgmental decision made by the umpire that the pitch meets the criteria to be a strike.
The purpose of called strikes is to regulate the game, ensuring fairness and maintaining consistency in the interpretation of the strike zone. This allows for consistent gameplay and a satisfactory balance between pitchers and hitters. For instance, if a batter fails to swing at a called strike, it will be recorded as a strike in the count against them. Conversely, a lack of a swing at a pitch outside the strike zone would be deemed a ball. Both the number of called strikes and balls are crucial in determining the outcome of an at-bat and overall game progression.
The etymology of the term "called strikes" can be traced back to the sport of baseball. In baseball, a "strike" refers to a pitch that is thrown within the strike zone, a specific area over home plate between the batter's chest and knees. If the pitch is judged by the umpire to be within this zone, they make a verbal call, signaling the pitch as a strike. This verbal call is often referred to as a "called strike".
The term "strike" has been used in baseball since the early days of the sport, and its usage can be traced back to the mid-19th century. It is derived from the verb "to strike", which means to hit or make contact with something forcefully. In the context of baseball, to "strike" refers to the act of the pitcher successfully throwing a pitch within the strike zone that the batter fails to hit.