Count (baseball)

In baseball and softball, the count refers to the number of balls and strikes the batter has.

It can also signal the scoreboard operator that the board shows an incorrect count.

Baseball statistics measure which counts are most likely to produce favorable outcomes for the pitcher or the batter.

This is a sound strategy because the batter is more likely to eventually reach base even if the count becomes 3–1 than he is if he puts the ball in play on 3–0.

[c] The full count term may derive from older scoreboards, which had spaces (rather than numerals) to denote up to three balls and up to two strikes.

This is because either the batter will walk (awarding such runners the next base), strike out to end the inning, foul off the pitch (allowing runners to return to their original bases), or put the ball into play.