Dropped third strike

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by CoachJM

So, if there is the possibility of ambiguity as to whether or not the 3rd strike had been judged legally caught, and whether the batter had become a runner or not, it seems that the mechanics endorsed by Evans and others are clearly "better umpiring" in such situations. It seems to me that an umpire who chooses not to clarify the ambiguity through his use of inferior mechanics is derelict in his duty as an umpire. Does anyone disagree?

JM

I think you are completely wrong. The players need to know the situation. The players need to act as they would without a call.

If we use your point of view on this, then anytime a dropped third strike happens, we should go out of our way to tell the player not to throw the ball around the diamond. For example, yelling over and over again that the batter is out on a caught third strike when the batter is not sure or is not by rule allowed to run (runner occupying first as an example). It is always easier to come back and make a call rather than make an uninformed call that is completely wrong then let the play go out. Players need to act always as if nothing is ever called.

Peace