You guys can blast me all you want. You can Harry's School, Jim's School, NCAA Clinic, Arizona Umpire Academy, O.U.T.S. Clinic me all you want. Here is the ultimate, CRYSTAL CLEAR and Highest authority on this question!!!
THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL UMPIRE MANUAL (Yes...I have one!)
READ CAREFULLY
Section 8.7
"VOLUNTARY STRIKE"
In the situation where the third strike eludes the catcher on a half-swing and the batter/runner is entitled to first base, the appeal should be made to the base umpire instantly (without waiting for a request from the defense); but even if the appeal is not instant, the appropriate base umpire should immediately and voluntarilymake a call of strike IF the base umpire is going to reverse the plate umpire's call. This will give the batter/runner the immediate opportunity to run.
And as for the original question, if the batter/runner has not reached first base, and the batter/runner is retired, NO RUNS CAN SCORE!!!
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