K

Strikeout

A strikeout occurs when a batter accumulates three strikes during a single plate appearance, resulting in an out. Strikes can be called by the umpire for missed swings, foul balls (except on a third strike unless bunted), or pitches in the strike zone that the batter does not swing at. It is recorded as “K” in baseball notation, with a backward “K” often used to signify a strikeout where the batter did not swing (called “looking”).