Bunt. Must be an attempt to strike the ball

Officially, it's a ball if a batter holds the bat over the plate, the ball is outside the strike zone, and the batter makes no movement indicating an attempt to contact the ball.

2.00 A BUNT is a batted ball not swung at, but intentionally met with the bat and tapped slowly within the infield.

2.00 A STRIKE is a legal pitch when so called by the umpire, which:

a) Is struck at by the batter and is missed;

b) Is not struck at, if any part of the ball passes through any part of the strike zone;

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So, there is intent required in both definitions, AND if there is no attempt, and it was not in the strike zone, it is a "ball".

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BUT

There is a widely held belief (false - but out there) that the batter must withdraw the bat or it is a strike (In NCAA softball it is true by the way - but not in any baseball rules).

As we can see from the rules, it is not, but that doesn't alter the myth. It is so widely held, that the LL case Book actually has an entry noting that it is not a strike.

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SO, rules notwithstanding, you will find umpires that will call it a strike. Don't be too surprised if one does. If you decide to protest the rule misapplication, noting that the rules say there must be an attempt, there may be some who "decide" that his judgment was that the batter did make an attempt. They may even offer the opinion that the holding of the bat over the plate in and of itself constitutes the attempt. If this happens, I'd suggest filing the protest and presenting your case to the protest committee. Make sure you include a copy of the applicable rules. If you are a LL, or can find someone from a LL, get a copy of "The Right Call" (the case book) and refer to Chapter 2, "A BUNT . . " Comment 2.