What is worse for a baseball hitter to do on a 3-2 count. Swing at Ball 4 or Take Strike 3?

Question

I say take strike 3, assuming ball 4 was not too much of a ball, because at least you are putting an effort in it

Answer 1

chris young, and mark reynolds..dbacks

Answer 2

Babe Ruth once said "dont let the fear of striking out get in your way"

Answer 3

Taking strike 3, because it never hurts to be protective. If it's just really obvious, like at the ankles or above the head, how could someone be stupid enough to swing in the first place?

Any less obvious, it doesn't hurt, because some umpires are just terrible and/or want to get a game over with they might actually call it ;)

But I wouldn't be that mad if I swung at a close ball 4, but I probably would be if I let a strike go by.

Answer 4

Taking strike three. With a chance to win the game, you want to go down swinging. Your teammates and fan base will be happier with it, too.

While it wasn't a full count at the end of the 2006 NLCS, I've always told my Mets fan friends that Carlos Beltran not swinging at Adam Wainwright's last pitch was the worst thing he could have done. It was an excellent pitch and hard to hit, but you don't go out with the bases loaded and down by two in your last AB without hacking unless it's clearly out of the strike zone.  

Answer 5

both outs doesnt matter to me

Answer 6

i think taking strike three because you know that you just gave up and didn't try. at least taking ball four, you gave effort and attempted to hit the ball..

Answer 7

Takeing strike three. I would rather strike out swinging than takeing an obvious strike 3. Backwards K's are like free strikeouts. But a swinging strikeout makes it more difficult for the catcher to catch the ball cause he has a bat swinging rather then a normal catch. maybe a possible drop third strike if your swinging but probably not for a normal backwards k.

Answer 8

Depends on how obvious ball 4 is. If it is a terrible pitch I say swinging at ball 4. But otherwise I think taking strike 3 is worse.

Answer 9

Swing at ball 4.  Here's the logic.  If the batter didnt swing at ball 4, he would be on base.  

If he swing at a strike, it doesnt guarentee that he will be on base.  Yes, it mite be a good pitch, but theres no guarentee.  He mite end up hitting it into an out or even worse, a double play.

Answer 10

Taking strike 3. A strikeout looking is worse than a strikeout swinging.

Answer 11

well i always think....'if its close, ill foul it off. if its way away ill let it go'

the worst thing you can do is watch strike 3..coaches get mad

Answer 12

Taking strike 3. When a player swings at ball 4, it's usually because they were being aggressive like you always should be in a 2 strike count. Unless the pitch was an obvious ball 4, then taking a 3rd strike is worse.

Answer 13

Taking strike 3.

Answer 14

swinging at ball four is worse in my opinion cause u have a better chance swinging to get on then looking for a walk. you have to be a threat up there