Incorrect count given results in strikeout?

Question
The home plate umpire indicates the batter's count is 3-1 and the batter takes the next pitch which is a strike.  The pitcher's coach questions the count saying they had the count at 2-2.  The home plate umpire asks the field umpire who indicates he had a 2-2 count.  What happens to the batter?  Is it a strikeout, a "no-pitch" or something else?  Thank you!

Answer
Hi Keli,

Thank you for your question.  Besides correctly calling balls, strikes, and outs, keeping correct track of them is one of my paramount priorities, as game delays concerning their status can be very time-consuming and contentious, and draw negative attention to the umpires.

When I am the plate umpire and the coach questions my count, if I'm 100% sure of the count I merely politely apprise the coach of the correct count.  I would never consider conferring with my base (field) umpire about the count if I was 100% sure of the count.

Now let's go to your scenario.  After the fifth pitch it came to light that the plate umpire and the defensive coach had two different counts.  At this time the plate umpire didn't stand by his count, which means, if he operates like I do, that he was unsure of the count, so he took the correct action by going to his primary lifeline for help, which is the base umpire.  After the fourth pitch, the base umpire had a 2-2 count, and that's how you described it: he had that count.  The base umpire didn't have any doubt about his 2-2 count, and that bit of certain information is exactly what the plate umpire is looking for.  The fifth pitch struck out the batter.

There is an umpiring mechanic in place that can ward off count problems.  A good time for the plate umpire to announce and signal the count to the pitcher is when there are three balls and/or two strikes, as the next pitch could result in either a strikeout or a base on balls.  In your scenario, after the fourth pitch, the plate umpire did, as you mentioned, indicate a 3-1 count.  In the time slot between the indication of the 3-1 count and the fifth pitch, it's unfortunate that neither the base umpire (especially the base umpire), defensive coach, offensive coach, home score book, or visitor score book brought to the attention of the plate umpire that the actual count was 2-2.  Of course it may not have been possible to do that, as the plate umpire may have indicated the count just a fleeting moment before the pitcher began her pitch.

Scott Kelly