This has come up several times and I can't find reference in the books:

Strike three swung on a pitch in the dirt. Catcher catches it "clean" on a hop. I've always interpreted this to be a catch and not a dropped third strike, under the simple premise that the catcher did not drop the ball but caught it on the original delivery.

Thoughts....?

This is not a catch. How can it be a "clean" catch on a hop? Please check rule book definition of "catch".

Part of your problem is you are thinking of the term literally "Dropped" third strike. When actually the rulebook term is a third strike not caught (or uncaught third strike). A ball can never be considered "caught" once it has hit the ground so therefore a strike three that hops into the catchers mitt is an uncaught third strike, batter may try for first (as long as it isn't occupied or there are two out).

-Josh

Golly,
 

How many times?

At least once more

Re: Golly,
 

Tim C:
What is the meaning of your response?

Re: Re: Golly,
 

He means that the question has been asked 20-30 times before. He means that he is tired of seeing the same questions asked over and over by umpires too lazy to do some study on their own.

Re: Re: Re: Golly,
 

Fair enough.
I am glad I read my rule book(s)

Once again, I registered with this site yesterday and found no reference to this rule. I am far from being too lazy to do my homework. I have read the rulebook repeatedly and I have seen this called both ways, by lots of umpires, at different levels.

If my question bores you, don't bother to respond. If there is a better website to reference than this one, I'd appreciate the links.

Typical umpire arrogance, though, so I'm not surprised.

I found it in the book - thanks for the help
 

Alright, I'll eat a plate of crow, here. After the post, I grabbed the rulebook and an old study guide I had from 10 years ago. I found this "easy" one at 6.05 (b) in the explanatory paragraph.

My apologies for the arrogance comment. Your frustration with this one is justified. I swear I've read sections 6, 7 and 8 5 times this summer but that never stuck with me.

I'd still appreciate any links to good sites with FAQs, etc., or a good book that goes into more situational detail than the official book.

Re: I found it in the book - thanks for the help
 

http://www.rulesofbaseball.com/ebooks/rde.html

http://shop.officiating.com/x/product/brd2005

Get both books.

Re: I found it in the book - thanks for the help
 

Try reading the DEFINITIONS section of your rule book.

Bob

Re: I found it in the book - thanks for the help
 

New umpires I always teach:

1st -learn (don't just study) all of the definitions until you can nearly quote them verbatim.

2nd - always be careful to read all of the little footnotes, additions and other small print - usually that's something that was added later or a change from the large print.

but I'll agree with you, sometimes its hard to find things in a rule book no matter how hard you try.

Thanks
David

Definitions section is definitely the most underrated section of the book.