2-strike strikeout
 

This is almost a week old...but I just found it.

NY Yankees catcher Chris Stewart is "struck out" on a 1-1 pitch. He swings at the third pitch (thinking it was strike 3) and returns to the dugout.

What is the correct mechanic here? He is never called out...and the umpire never signaled strike 3.

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If you know it was only strike 2 then I think the proper mechanic is just to bring the batter back out (I'd do it with some kind of joke).

If you're confused, too, then go with strike three. The "signals" aren't needed or what determines the out.

There is no sign the umpire was confused. He made no signal on the first pitch (ball 1); second pitch was fouled; third pitch, swinging strike. At 1:01 in the video, he is clearly shown signaling strike 2.

Agreed. In some story or another, the batter indicates how / why he was confused.

I haven't seen anything "official" on how MLB wants it handled, but I would bring the batter back in NCAA and below.

You don't think 6.02 applies?

No, I don't. He didn't "refuse" anything. You can't refuse unless you're asked to do something.

I have no problem with saying 6.02 applies...except that the umpire did not signal a strike nor declare the batter out -- both which are required under 6.02. (Bold and red are mine...to show what the rule requires.)

Rule 6.02(c)
If the batter refuses to take his position in the batter’s box during his time at bat, the umpire shall call a strike on the batter. The ball is dead, and no runners may advance. After the penalty, the batter may take his proper position and the regularball and strike count shall continue. If the batter does not take his proper positionbefore three strikes have been called, the batter shall be declared out.

So I don't understand why he was called out.

Rita

The video didn't show what happened after B left the BB. I've been told that PU did give an out mechanic (not in the video), but I don't know.

Hey kid, c'mon back. You get three strikes on Saturdays.

9.01c or error.