Quote:
Originally posted by insatty
I think the PU should let the play continue, because the BU may have seen the ball on the ground. If the catcher throws BR out on first, there's no dispute. But if BR reaches first safely, PU may ask BU for help as to whether the catcher cleanly caught strike three. If BU didn't get a good look at it, then PU simply upholds his ruling that the batter is out. But if BU clearly saw a strike three not caught, PU corrects his call.
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I'm not sure delaying the determination is a viable option that the umpires would want to exercise since the defense is deserving of an "answer" so as to determine what course of action to take.
Things can get very complicated when there are other runners on base when this chaos breaks out. What do you think the defense would have to say if the umpires made no immediate determination and the ball was thrown to first on the ASSUMPTION that the third strike was dropped, only to find out that the final ruling is that it was CAUGHT? And, in the process, other runners have advanced?
Right or wrong - I think you HAVE to make a fairly quick ruling on this because it determines the players' course of action.