dropped third strike

[Rich]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

It's been in the game from the beginning.

First, the batter became a runner on every "third" strike (or whatever the number was then).

When the catcher played well back of the batter, and the ball was softer and quickly became out-of-round, and no one used gloves, it was no sure thing that the BR would be out.

As the catcher moved to the current position, and used gloves, it became "boring" to have to make the play when the strike was caught. So, the rule was changed so that the batter became a runner only when the strike was uncaught.

Then, crafty catchers realized they could get two outs if they didn't catch the third strike in certain situations. So, the rule was changed to the current rule.

The NFHS rule used to read that the batter becomes a batter runner on every third strike and in another section it said the batter is out when a third strike is caught or when first is occupied with less than two outs.

May still say this, but I don't think so (and I'm not looking it up now).

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

The NFHS rule used to read that the batter becomes a batter runner on every third strike and in another section it said the batter is out when a third strike is caught or when first is occupied with less than two outs.

May still say this, but I don't think so (and I'm not looking it up now).

8-1-1. A batter becomes a runner with the right to attempt to score by advancing to first, second, third and home bases in the listed order when: b. he is charged with a third strike; 1. If third strike is caught, he is out an instant after he becomes a runner.

[stratref]

Since so many of you are trying to explain how we got to where we are today with the rule, many of you are not going back far enough into the history of the game.

We are talking 1870's era ball, this was when the batsman was allowed to declare, "high", "low", "neither" as his preferred striking zone. It took 9 balls for a walk and 8 strikes for a batter to become "struck" (BTW the umpire had the option at the time to declare a pitch neither a strike or a ball).

This term "struck" is where we get the "K" from for a strikeout, because the "S" had already been used for the sacrifice.

I could go on for a page or so to explain why the rule is what it is today but to really see why here is a link going over the rule changes since the game of the 1840's Baseball History: 19th Century Baseball: The Rules

Jasper

[yawetag]

From Annotated OBR:

Historical Notes: The original Major League Code (1876) provided that the batsman was out if, after three strikes, the ball was legally held at first base before the batsman reached the base. He was also out provided the ball was caught by the catcher before touching the ground or after only one bounce. One must remember that catchers generally positioned themselves a considerable distance from the plate and it was the exception rather than the rule for the catcher to catch the pitch before it touched the ground.

The 1880 edition of the Official Playing Rules of the National League amplified this interpretation. A batter was out following three strikes if the ball was momentarily held before touching the ground, no hat or cap was used in securing possession, the pitch did not hit some other object before being secured. (These conditions were later encompassed in the term "legally caught".)

The first official case book ruling of “legally caught” appeared in the early 1950's and disallowed any ball which lodged in the catcher's clothing or equipment. The additional explanation regarding balls tipped and subsequently caught or not caught was added in 1976.

And, for runner on first with less than two outs:
Historical Notes: In 1887, the provision declaring the batter automatically out regardless of whether or not the final strike was caught was incorporated into the rules. An asterisk should be noted beside the year 1887 for it was in that year that the experimental "four strikes" were allowed.

The Major League Code of 1888 stipulated that a batter shall be declared out on three strikes (regardless of whether the ball is caught or not) when first base is occupied' "...except when two hands are already out." This is the identical interpretation used today.

The 1942 rule book noted that “...This rule was adopted to prevent the catcher from dropping the ball purposely to ensure a double play.”