Dropped third strike question

[okmitzi]

this question applies to little league, and i know that rules vary, but i would just like a "generalized" answer to my question. the batter takes a called third strike, catcher drops the ball. batter hesitates for a second, someone yells "run!" and off he goes, reaching first base. the batter made no step back towards the dugout, in fact he didn't even leave the batter's box. the umpire calls him OUT saying he "hesitated" before running to first. what i have found so far indicates that the batter actually has until the next pitch in the game to run to first unless the umpire has called him OUT. does anyone know the rule? thanks in advance.

[Paul L]

New Official Baseball Rules, rule 6.09(b):
The batter becomes a runner when --
...
(b) The third strike called by the umpire is not caught, providing (1) first base is unoccupied, or (2) first base is occupied with two out;
Rule 6.09(b) Comment: A batter who does not realize his situation on a third strike not caught, and who is not in the process of running to first base, shall be declared out once he leaves the dirt circle surrounding home plate.

I believe the dirt circle surrounding home plate is 13 feet in radius around the tip of home plate. (It's hard to read the MLB diagram 1 in rule 3.01.)

[UMP25]

Little League Rules, unless specifically stated in their book, follow what OBR says. Therefore, if the L.L book does not have the wording of stepping into the dugout or reaching his defensive position, then the new OBR Rule applies.

Regardless, the ump in question erred.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by okmitzi

this question applies to little league, and i know that rules vary, but i would just like a "generalized" answer to my question. the batter takes a called third strike, catcher drops the ball. batter hesitates for a second, someone yells "run!" and off he goes, reaching first base. the batter made no step back towards the dugout, in fact he didn't even leave the batter's box. the umpire calls him OUT saying he "hesitated" before running to first. what i have found so far indicates that the batter actually has until the next pitch in the game to run to first unless the umpire has called him OUT. does anyone know the rule? thanks in advance.

Just to clarify. If this was LL majors or below the batter is out immediately on the third strike. He doesn't have the same option as a runner on the big diamond.


Tim.

[UMP25]

Good point. Just what the heck was I thinking. LL doesn't have the dropped third strike. Oh well, I'm not an LL ump, so...

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by UMP25

Good point. Just what the heck was I thinking. LL doesn't have the dropped third strike. Oh well, I'm not an LL ump, so...

Majors and below do not have an uncaught 3rd strike rule, but Junior, Senior, and Big League divisions do, and it is just like the "old" OBR rule, which is that the batter is not out until he is tagged, or 1st base is tagged, or he steps into his dugout or bench area. The new rule about the dirt circle does not apply to Little League Baseball, which uses its own set of modified OBR rules.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Majors and below do not have an uncaught 3rd strike rule, but Junior, Senior, and Big League divisions do, and it is just like the "old" OBR rule, which is that the batter is not out until he is tagged, or 1st base is tagged, or he steps into his dugout or bench area. The new rule about the dirt circle does not apply to Little League Baseball, which uses its own set of modified OBR rules.

As far as I know there haven't been any youth leagues using modified OBR to adopt the new changes yet. Has anyone else heard of one?


Tim.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

As far as I know there haven't been any youth leagues using modified OBR to adopt the new changes yet. Has anyone else heard of one?


Tim.

I haven't heard of any, but if I were a bettin' man, I'd bet PONY would be the first to do it, because they usually advertise that they play by Sporting News Edition Rules (with modifications).