If a pinch hitter steps into the batter's box while another player has a count of one ball and two strikes, how is the new batter's count established?

When a pinch hitter steps into the batter's box while another player has a count of one ball and two strikes, the new batter takes over the previous count. This means that the pinch hitter will also begin their at-bat with one ball and two strikes already recorded against them.

This rule is in place to maintain the fairness and continuity of the game, ensuring that when a player substitutes in, they do not lose any advantage or disadvantage that was previously established in the at-bat by the last player. Given that the situation reflects a transition rather than starting anew, it is critical for the flow of the game that the new batter acknowledges the established count.

The other options, while they might suggest alternative scenarios, do not align with the rules governing the transition of counts in this context. A clean slate would reset the entire count, imposing an unfair disadvantage on the pinch hitter, while penalizing the new batter with a strike or voiding the previous count would contradict the principles of continuity and fairness in game play.