If the batter hadn't swung, it would have been considered a ball. When a pitcher throws four balls to a batter before they strike out (three swings or balls in

If the batter hadn't swung, it would have been considered a ball. When a pitcher throws four balls to a batter before they strike out (three swings or balls in the right zone they don't swing at), the batter walks. The batter probably should have realized the ball wasn't in the strike zone and shouldn't have swung.