2 strike 2 outs

[Forest Ump]

Originally Posted by Altor

[layman warning]
If the batter is called out on the strikeout after the runner is out in this situation, the defense may choose whichever out benefits them, but the batter is still out in either case and does not lead off the following inning. Am I correct?

No. The batter is the third out. It does not matter what happens after that. The defense does not get a choice.

[asdf]

The "choice" in this situation is the actual appeal on the swing.

[Rich Ives]

It isn't rocket science.

If there's an opportunity for a check-swing appeal then the batter could not possibly have been called out on a strikeout.

The defense has a choice as to whether or not to appeal the check-swing.

SO, as a matter of tactics:

If you want the batter to lead off the next inning you do NOT appeal. He thus cannot be out as he hasn't completed his AB so he leads off next inning.

If you do not want the batter to lead off the next inning you DO appeal. He thus MAY be out (if the call is changed to strike) and if so he has completed his AB so he does not lead off next inning.

[SAump]

Well, a valid appeal for an advantageous 4th out applies to a base running mistake. A check swing appeal is simply acknowledging that the 3rd out was made before the 4th.

[asdf]

Originally Posted by SAump

Well, a valid appeal for an advantageous 4th out applies to a base running mistake. A check swing appeal is simply acknowledging that the 3rd out was made before the 4th.

A 4th out is a 4th out.

It's not exclusive to a baserunning mistake. (See the FED interp previously posted)

[DG]

Originally Posted by Forest Ump

No. The batter is the third out. It does not matter what happens after that. The defense does not get a choice.

Of course they do. Defense can let the play stand (batter is late in the lineup) and not appeal, or they can appeal (3rd or 4th batter at the plate). If they appeal with #9 at the plate that is just not smart.