When a batter is substituted after multiple strikes, who is counted for the strikeout?

When a batter is substituted after accumulating multiple strikes, only the original batter is counted for the strikeout. This rule is in place to ensure that the integrity of the at-bat follows the player who began it. Substitutions during an at-bat do not change the existing count; therefore, the original batter's strikes remain attributed to them despite any player changes that may occur.

In this situation, if the original batter has already faced strikes, those strikes remain with them, and the new batter comes to the plate with a fresh count of zero strikes. This concept maintains consistency in how strikeouts are recorded for statistical and gameplay purposes.

The other options misunderstand the mechanics of how counts and substitutions operate in baseball or softball. The idea that both batters would share the strikeout fails to recognize that only the original player's at-bat influences the strikeout tally, while suggesting that the new batter assumes the count incorrectly implies continuity of the count which does not happen. Similarly, indicating that no one is credited with a strikeout overlooks the established rules around counting strikes that are accrued before a substitution.