What is whiff in baseball?

In baseball, a "whiff" is a term used to describe a swing and a miss by a batter, resulting in a strike. It is often used to emphasize the batter's inability to make contact with the pitched ball. A whiff can be caused by a variety of factors, such as the pitch being too fast, breaking sharply, or simply the batter misjudging the location of the pitch.

A high number of whiffs can be an indication of a strong pitching performance, as it shows that the pitcher is able to consistently fool the batters and get them to swing and miss. On the other hand, a high number of whiffs for a particular batter may be a sign of poor plate discipline or timing at the plate.

Overall, whiffs are a common occurrence in baseball and are an important aspect of the game, as they contribute to the overall strategy and competition between pitchers and batters.