Dropped Third Strike

[Carl Childress]

Originally posted by jefftheref15
Situation: Bases Loaded, 2 outs, 2 strikes on the batter.
Next pitch a called third strike is dropped by the catcher.
Question: Can the batter attempt to reach first and the all runners advance or is it the third out since 1st base is occupied?

The batter may try for first. Also, whether he runs or not, he has become a batter-runner, which forces everyone else to run as well. The cacher, in control of the ball, may simply tag the plate for the third out. (Assuming he does so before R3 touches home.)