Dropped strike three

[Dave Hensley]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by GarthB

I see no reason to protect the defense from their own stupidity.

How is calling an out protecting the defense from their own stupidity?

In the absence of a call in this situation, the defense may be perfectly smart, but they may have concern that the plate umpire is the "stupid" one, who may actually allow the batter to advance even though by rule he can't.

A simple "he's out" called only loud enough for F2 to hear it is all that is needed to keep the play, and possibly the game, from degenerating into a Keystone Cops skit.