3rd Strike In The Dirt

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by NewUmpinCT

I hesitated making a call because my partner should have called the batter out immediately as 1st base was occupied and it was not 2 outs.

No he shouldn't. It's a swinging strike 3. No verbal on that. It's the same mechanic as a caught (swinging) 3rd strike.

Originally Posted by NewUmpinCT

In between innings, I went to discuss both scenarios with my partner

Not a good time to do that. Wait a few innings or discuss it in your post-game.

Originally Posted by NewUmpinCT

the defensive coach comes over and rants about blow call allowed run to score in a close game... He did also say so after the 2nd strike 3 in the dirt.

Bad defense allowed the run to score, nothing else.

If you get into the bad habit of calling the batter out on a dropped 3rd strike when he cannot advance, sooner or later you will do it with 2 outs when he can attempt to advance. Call the strike. That's the only call that needs to be made.