In a situation where a batter swings and misses and the bat strikes the catcher in the face mask, what is the ruling?

In this scenario, when the batter swings and misses but the bat inadvertently strikes the catcher in the face mask, the play results in the ball being declared dead. The reason for this is that the action of the bat making contact with the catcher violates the rules regarding player safety. It is important to protect the catcher and ensure that the game is played in a safe manner.

As a result of this contact, the batter is ruled out because the act of swinging and missing while hitting the catcher signifies a completed play, and the safety infraction leads to the muted continuation of the game. Given that the ball is dead, no further play can occur until the umpire resets the situation, thus effectively bringing an end to that at-bat. This ruling prioritizes the safety of players on the field, which is a fundamental element of the game.