What is "in flight"

[t2nyval]

Question 1: I was asked an interesting question by a coach tonight re: dropped third strike (actually UNCAUGHT third strike as I read it in the book). He claimed that if the pitch bounces before it makes it to the catcher, regardless of if the catcher fields it cleanly, it is an "uncaught" third strike and the batter is entitled to try for first base if empty etc. I gotta say his argument seems valid as far as his definition of a 'catch'. As stated in the rules catch is something like 'the ball goes into the glove IN FLIGHT'. Where is the line between an 'in flight' ball and a ball that is 'fielded' such as a grounder and most importantly, is a bouncing pitch, fielded cleanly by the catcher, an UNCAUGHT third strike.

Question 2: Can the same 'bouncing' pitch be a called strike if it goes over the plate in the strike zone??