[rwest]

Per Rule 8-5-F-5 (ASA)

A batter is awarded first base on a third strike if a fielder contacts or catches a fair batted, thrown or pitched ball with detached equipment or uniform.

Can someone give me a realistic scenario where this would occur?

Here's one I've come up with....

1. Assuming 0-2 count on batter, if the batter swings and misses and the catcher fails to catch the ball, we have a dropped third strike. Assuming 1st base is empty with less than 2 outs, if the catcher retrieves the ball with her mask, we have a dead ball and all runners, including the batter-runner are awarded 1 base from the time of the pitch.

Would the batter be awarded first base if first was occupied on dropped third strike? I would assume no, since 8-5-F-7 says that on a pitch that eludes the catcher and retrieved with detached equipment there is no penalty if...

a: the runners are not advancing
b: no apparent play is possible or
c: no advantage gained

I'd say that there is no apparent play if on a dropped third strike the runner can not legally run to first.

Now assume that there are runners on 1st and 2nd. Would the batter get first on a D3K that the catcher retrieves with her mask, if the runners were advancing or do we just award each runner one base but the batter is still out?