Dropped 3rd Strike Rule

[Xtopher_66]

- Bases are loaded.
- There are two outs.
At this point I am assuming the dropped third strike rule is possible to come into play.

- Batter swings and misses for strike 3 but the ball was not caught by the catcher and goes to the backstop.
- Rather than try and make the throw to 1st the catcher grabs the ball and steps on the plate before the runner from 3rd makes it home.

I've never seen it but wondered if the catcher can record an out in this manner.

Thanks for your help

[LakeErieUmp]

I wonder what took R3 so long getting there on a two-strike count with the batter swinging!

[tjones1]

Yes, he can.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Xtopher_66

- Bases are loaded.
- There are two outs.
At this point I am assuming the dropped third strike rule is possible to come into play.

- Batter swings and misses for strike 3 but the ball was not caught by the catcher and goes to the backstop.
- Rather than try and make the throw to 1st the catcher grabs the ball and steps on the plate before the runner from 3rd makes it home.

I've never seen it but wondered if the catcher can record an out in this manner.

Thanks for your help

The bases are loaded and the batter becomes a batter-runner. Hence the runners are forced. Out at the plate.

[TussAgee11]

Interesting story -

I'm only 19, so it wasn't too long ago that I was the catcher. I stepped on the plate one day with 2 strikes and a ball in the dirt. Umpire never called out. I turned around, looked right at him. I stomped my foot on the plate. Still nothing.

The batter/runner is now sprinting to first. I say "is he out". The guy said nothing. I quickly stepped out in front and threw to first, thank god the throw was accurate, otherwise I was gonna be pissed.

Next time we had that ump, I knew it was him. Same situation. This time I immediatly stepped out in front of the plate, stepping on the plate as I crossed it. He yelled "Out".



Felt good to teach an umpire something without having to argue about it.