Baseball allows three strikes per at-bat and four balls before a batter walks.

The longer version

Two separate counts run at the same time during a plate appearance. A swing and miss, a called strike or a foul ball adds to the strike count, and three of them end the turn. A pitch outside the zone that the batter leaves alone adds to the ball count, and four award first base automatically, which turns patience into a weapon.

The numbers were not always these: early rule books used different counts and even allowed a batter to request a high or low pitch. Settling on three and four balanced pitcher against batter, and the rule has survived largely unchanged since. Because a foul only counts as a strike up to the third, a batter can foul off pitches indefinitely and extend the duel.

Where this entry sits

Facts here look at the rules, equipment and odd histories behind familiar sports and games, from balls and rackets to cards, boards and playing fields. Expect small details about scoring quirks, stadium design and the long story of the Olympic Games. The full list sits on the Sports and Games page, where every entry is listed in order.