A “Strikeout” is a term used in baseball, including Major League Baseball (MLB). You get a strikeout when you have a total of three strikes. The batter can either swing or not be struck out.

Some players in the MLB who was infamous for striking out regularly include Jim Thorne, Reggie Jackson, and more recently, Alex Rodriguez.

What Makes a Strikeout?

A pitcher is called a strikeout when he strikes out three times after he makes three strikes. The strikes can either be swinging, looking, or a combination of both. A looking strike is when the batter does not swing.

Swinging strikes are denoted with a K in the scorebooks and a looking strike is denoted with a backward K. A looking strike is also known as a called strike.

For a strikeout, the third strike cannot be a foul ball. A foul-tips, however, can be called a third strike when the catcher catches it. If the third strike is not caught and the batter safely gets to first base, it is still listed in the scorebook as a strikeout.

How it Started

The Strikeout has been around for a long while but adding the called strike to the three required strikes was not added until 1858.

Prior to that, a strikeout is called when three balls were offered, swung at, and missed. The latest change to the rule that stuck was made in 1880. The amendment made it so that the third strike had to specifically be caught on the fly.

The Looking Strike

Originally, a strike was listed as “struck” on the scorecard. It was shortened by Henry Chadwick to K. In order to differentiate between a looking strike and a swung strike, it was decided that a looking strike will be designated a backward K.

Striking Out on the Side - This is when three batters are struck out by a batter in a single inning. It is referred to as “Striking Out on the Side in Order”.

Golden Sombrero – This is when a hitter strikes out four times in a game. This is a play on the term “Hat Trick” that is used in Hockey.

Olympic Rings – This is 5 strikeouts in a baseball game by a one-hitter.