Excluding foul balls, what is the maximum number of pitches a batter can face in one at bat?
by 
larry gruber
ANSWERS: 4
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6 pitches for example: Ball Ball Ball Strike Strike (Ball or Strike) either way the batter is out or reaches first
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Actually the answer is 11. If the count is 3 and 2 and a runner is caught stealing for the third out, the same batter leads off the next inning. His count starts over again so he can work it to 3 and 2 again. That's 10 pitches. The eleventh pitch the batter hits in fair territory. Wheteher its a hit or not it doesn't matter. There were still eleven pitches and no fouls in one official at bat.
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The answer is 6. (3 ball, 2 strikes, and the final pitch) If a runner is caught stealing for the third out while a player is at the plate it is not counted in the score book as an at bat for the player. The batter will lead off the next inning with a new count. It is a separate at bat, not a continuation from the previous inning.
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Actually I should not have said "official at-bat" This term is reserved for calculating statistics such as batting average. I should have said one at bat. MLB baseball official rule # 6.04 states: 6.04 A batter has legally completed his time at bat when he is put out or becomes a runner. Since he was neither put out or became a runner in his first plate appearence, he is continuing the same at bat when he gets up to lead off the next inning with the count starting over again.
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