[Ump20]

Originally posted by David Emerling
Just curious,

When there is a low pitch that is caught for a third strike, and the play erupts into a dropped third strike situation, do you, as PU, make a more vociferous pronouncement that the batter is out in an attempt to get the needless action to cease?

The ball was caught and the batter is OUT. Yet, the catcher is triggered into action because the batter is racing toward 1st. The ball was low and the catcher's confidence that the PU is convinced that he caught it is equally low.

Do you help the catcher by being very loud and REPEAT that the batter is out? Also, what do you think about the BU becoming involved in this play and pointing the batter out, in support of the PU's ruling?

I disagree that the PU or the BU should "declare" the batter out on a dropped third strike when first base is occupied with less than two out. The catcher should KNOW that the batter cannot run if first is occupied at the Time of the pitch. If he throws the ball into right field he will quickly learn the rule. I think to be overly officious in these cases borders on coaching. Jim/NYC