If a batter is called ball four but actually did swing at the pitch, what should the umpire do?

In this scenario, what should happen is that the umpire needs to recognize that the batter swung at the pitch despite being called ball four. The essential rule to understand here is that if a batter swings at a pitch, it is considered a strike irrespective of the initial call of a ball. In this case, the umpire would declare the batter out because they did not simply take the pitch; they attempted to hit it.

Furthermore, when a batter swings at a pitch deemed ball four, it nullifies the walk and the ensuing actions associated with it. Returning R1, or any baserunner who may have advanced as a result of the ball four call, is a necessary procedure because he would not have had the opportunity to advance if the batter swung and missed. This decision enforces the integrity of the game by ensuring that actual gameplay accurately reflects players’ actions.

Thus, the proper ruling by the umpire is to declare the batter out and manage the situation regarding the baserunner accordingly.