Dropped third strike

[bob jenkins]

Originally posted by Gre144

So does the batter get first base or is he automatically out on a dropped third strike that hits him as he swings?According to Fed 8-1-1-d-E the hitting of the batter is disregarded if he is hit by the pitch but swings at it for strike three. The ball is immediately dead. However, this rule does not say whether the batter is out or not on a called third strike that hits him and the catcher drops the ball. If you call the ball dead immediately as the rule book states, then how does the batter get the opportunity to run to unoccupied first base?

In short, my question is the following:Is strike three called on the batter and the batter gets a chance to run to third?; or is the batter automatically out? (Assume that the ball hits him as he swings and the catcher drops the ball. First base is unoccupied.)

[Edited by Gre144 on May 31st, 2001 at 11:58 PM]

The ball is immediately dead. 5-1-1a.
It's a strike. 7-2-1b.
The "award" for being hit by pitch is ignored. 8-1-1d
Runners cannot advance on dead ball, except for "awards" that occurred before ball became dead. 5-2-2c.

Conclusion: Batter is out, runners return. See also 5.1.1B.

Other than the specific references, the rule is the same at all levels.