Dropped third strike

[bob jenkins]

Originally posted by Tom Cook
I'm not a baseball umpire but last night, while watching the IN baseball tourney 1st round games, I saw an interesting play. Runner on 1st 1 out. Batter swings at strike three, the ball is in the dirt and catcher blocks it.
The runner advances, but PU sends him back to lst. Could this have been a dead ball if the ball hit the batter in the box? I thought the ball would be live since it hit the ground and the catcher 1st. Help I'm confused!!

Maybe ....

If the batter struck out, then interfered with the catcher AND the umpire judged that the catcher had no play on the runner (if there hadn't been interference), then the runer should be returned to first base. (7.3.5C).

If there had been a play on the runner, both would be out.

If there was no interference, the runner should have been left at second.