did the run score ?

[SAump]

Now heres the tricky part, R3 crosses the plate before the catcher dives and tags the batter/runner.

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

I'm sorry, I must have missed the tricky part.

Batter retired for the third out before safely reaching first base. No run scores.

Most catchers dive towards the plate. This catcher dives and tags the the B/R.
You would have to wonder why he dove at the B/R. Wierd?

[Maz17]

You guys can blast me all you want. You can Harry's School, Jim's School, NCAA Clinic, Arizona Umpire Academy, O.U.T.S. Clinic me all you want. Here is the ultimate, CRYSTAL CLEAR and Highest authority on this question!!!

THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL UMPIRE MANUAL (Yes...I have one!)
READ CAREFULLY

Section 8.7

"VOLUNTARY STRIKE"

In the situation where the third strike eludes the catcher on a half-swing and the batter/runner is entitled to first base, the appeal should be made to the base umpire instantly (without waiting for a request from the defense); but even if the appeal is not instant, the appropriate base umpire should immediately and voluntarilymake a call of strike IF the base umpire is going to reverse the plate umpire's call. This will give the batter/runner the immediate opportunity to run.


And as for the original question, if the batter/runner has not reached first base, and the batter/runner is retired, NO RUNS CAN SCORE!!!

[Kevin Finnerty]

See, I told you Maz and Matt were right. Especially Maz.

[ManInBlue]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

By now you know that it *can* be an accepted mechanic.

Yep, I see that.

Originally Posted by Maz17

You guys can blast me all you want. You can Harry's School, Jim's School, NCAA Clinic, Arizona Umpire Academy, O.U.T.S. Clinic me all you want.

I wasn't doing any of this. I admitted that it *can be* an accepted mechanic after Kevin's explaination. All I said was that it seemed odd that no one had mentioned it.

[DG]

You can't pre-game everything. I have never heard this situation in pre-game from another umpire and it is not in my standard package to discuss. Sometimes you just have to go with your training, whatever that was. I work with a lot of guys that I don't know what their training was.

[tballump]

This must have been put in because the managers know the umps must get help if requested. On those big fields on a first or second strike those jerk-of managers immediately start screaming "get help". However, on a third strike that gets by their catcher, they wait until the catcher gets to the ball or gets back to the plate to start screaming "get help". Typical front-running MFSBDBCS rats.

[SethPDX]

Originally Posted by tballump

This must have been put in because the managers know the umps must get help if requested. On those big fields on a first or second strike those jerk-of managers immediately start screaming "get help". However, on a third strike that gets by their catcher, they wait until the catcher gets to the ball or gets back to the plate to start screaming "get help". Typical front-running MFSBDBCS rats.

One way to foil the coach is to ask the BU yourself, immediately, on a pitch in the dirt with two strikes, as covered in the PBUC manual.

Remember what jkumpire, Welpe, et al. have said: These manuals were written for professional umpires. They know what to do in cases like the ones we are talking about. At the amateur level, yes, I would say the "voluntary strike" mechanic should be well understood by you and your partner before the game, and there are umpires you might not want to use it with.

[Dave Reed]

The exact quote from the MLB:

8.7 "VOLUNTARY STRIKE"
In the situation where the third strike eludes the catcher on a half-swing and the batter-runner is entitled to run to first base, the appeal should be made to the base umpire instantly (without waiting for a request from the defense); but even if the appeal is not instant, the appropriate base umpire should immediately and voluntarily make a call of strike IF the base umpire is going to reverse the plate umpire's call. This will give the batter the immediate opportunity to run.

[Bolding, caps, and quotation marks copied from MLBUM.]

You could also read this thread, where the same question was asked (and answered) Asking BU on a Check Swing

Edited to add: I type too slow!