Dropped 3rd Strike

[Stripes1950]

I know the answer to my question but I want some backup to show my partner and assignor (one in the same). He asked me for help on a "dropped 3rd" last night. The ball dove into the dirt and the lefthanded batter swung and missed. The catcher picked it clean and threw to second to try to retire R1. I told him that the batter should be called out. He asked me if the ball hit the ground. I said, "Yes, but the catcher caught the ball. The ground has nothing to do with it." He looked at me like I was crazy. He turned and allowed the batter to stay at first. Was I right? Oh, Fed rules. The next batter struck out for the 3rd out. There were two outs at the time so the BR could run on a dropped 3rd.

[Edited by Bob Gingerich on Apr 13th, 2005 at 11:02 AM]