Batter swings after ball is in catchers mitt

Question
This question pertains to ASA fast pitch 12-U girls.  If a batter swings after the ball reaches the catcher's mitt outside of the strike zone, is it a ball or a strike?  What is the time frame that would change the call from a ball to a strike or vice versa?

Answer
Thanks for the question!

This happens a lot in 12-U more than any other because there can be such a skill disparity between batters and pitchers.  

You have to ask yourself, in your judgment was she trying to hit that pitch?  If she was, it's a strike, if she's warming up for the next pitch to come through, maybe it's a ball.  If you can't tell between the two, call it a strike.  That will be that last time that batter takes a practice swing in the box so soon after the pitch.  A lot of the unspoken things in softball/baseball we take for granted are not taught to the young girls directly, they have to pick up on them just like we did growing up.  Some pick up on those things faster than others.  Also remember, strikes get the game over faster.  I'm not telling you to go out and call strikes all over the place, just a helpful reminder when it's 101 degrees out with 100% humidity on a 8 to zero ballgame.  :-)

My cadence is basically the same as I teach to any new fast or slow pitch umpire.  In fast pitch, I get down in my set position, the pitch comes in.  Hits the glove.  I decide what it is, make my verbal "Ball" or "Strike" then come up out of my set position and make my hammer mechanic if it is a strike.  You should always make your verbal (ball or strike) call in the down position, then come up with the hammer if it's a strike.  If it's out of the zone and she whiffs through it, stay down longer to see if she's really going for the ball, stay silent, then come up for the hammer mechanic if you decide it's a strike.  I guess the time to decide the pitch may be about 1 or 2 seconds, but it's up to you.

The bottom line is it's your judgment if the batter is trying to go for the ball.  If the pitcher has some heat, more often than not they're trying to hit that ball.

I hope this helps answer your question, if not please reply!