3rd Strike In The Dirt

[DG]

On a swinging third strike in the dirt with runner on 1B and less than 2 outs I will always call the batter out forcefully so nothing foolish goes on like the catcher throwing the ball down the RF line. "He's out, he's out" will generally stop all foolishness. No catcher is throwing to 1b to get a runner who is already out on my watch. This situation happened last night, it happened tonight, it will probably happen tomorrow night. The batter-runner makes it about 10 feet before they stop because they know they are OUT.

It's my job to announce outs and everybody in the park will know it. I disagree with leaving players to think about it.

[TussAgee11]

Because with a runner on first there is no way this batter can become a batter/runner unless he hits the ball (outside of CI). Everybody in the park should know that. If F2 doesn't know it, its his problem, not mine to correct.

Like I said in my previous post, if the situation can have batter become B/R, I will let the catcher know what I've called. If he's out when he's swung... catcher should know that. We, as umpires, have a code not to say anything when a batter strikes out swinging. Everybody knows he's out, why show him up?

Unless there is a question about whether he is actually out or not, such as with 1st base unoccupied or 2 outs and you have a ball in the dirt... just signal your strike and let fools be fools.