The "strike zone's lower boundary" refers to the lower limit of the area in which a pitch is considered a strike in baseball. This zone extends from the midpoint between the batter's shoulders and the top of their uniform pants down to the bottom of their knees when they are in a regular stance. A pitch that crosses within this vertical space is called a strike, while one that falls outside is a ball. This definition helps umpires determine whether a pitch is valid or not during a game.
The clue "Strike zone's lower boundary" refers to a concept from baseball. In this context, the "strike zone" is the area over home plate where a pitch must cross for the batter to be called out on strikes. The strike zone is defined by two boundaries: the upper and lower.
For Major League Baseball, the lower boundary of the strike zone is typically defined as the midpoint between the top of the batter's knees and the bottom of their torso. This definition leads us to a common term used in baseball for this boundary, which is "knees."
Knowing this, the answer likely has to fit a certain letter count depending on how many spaces are in the crossword. If we assume it’s a 5-letter word, the likely answer for "Strike zone's lower boundary" would be **"knees."**
### Solving Process:
1. **Identify the Context**: The clue references baseball terminology, specifically a definition related to the strike zone.
2. **Consider the Definition**: The focus is on boundaries, leading me to think about the components of the strike zone.
3. **Recall Relevant Knowledge**: In baseball, the lower limit of the strike zone corresponds to the height of a player’s knees.
4. **Fit into Crossword Constraints**: Ensure the word matches the length required in the puzzle.
### Tips for Solving Crossword Clues:
- **Think About Common Terms**: Many clues relate to common phrases or terminology, so considering relevant jargon can help.
- **Consider the Context**: The topic of the clue (sports, literature, etc.) can narrow down potential answers.
- **Look for Synonyms**: Sometimes, the answer might be a synonym or related term that fits within the context of the clue.
- **Use Cross Letters**: If you have intersecting letters from other clues, use these as a guide to confirm your answer fits.
If you have specific letters or a word length, feel free to share that for a more precise answer.