Strike three in the dirt ruling?

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by voiceoflg

Broadcaster here. NFHS. Bases loaded, two out. Batter swings at a pitch in the dirt for strike three. The ball gets away from the catcher and the runners advanced. But the batter trots to the dugout. The catcher retrieves the ball and throws to first. Obviously it is an out and the run does not score on the force. I asked the kid after the game why he didn't try for first and he said first base was occupied so it was an out anyway. But R1 was running to second. Couldn't the batter try to make it to first?

The runner from first running doesn't matter. He was on first at the start of the pitch so first is occupied.

The batter can run if there are two outs no matter what.

With less tan two outs, he can only run if first is not occupied.