Dropped 3rd Strike/Interferrence

[bob jenkins]

Here's this from J/R (see esp. #4):

E. SAFE/OUT 2.00
Safe characterizes a runner who has advanced or returned to a base before he or
the base (when appropriate) is tagged. An umpire voices and signals (or
recognizes without voice or signal) that a runner is safe.
The "safe" signal (both arms extended out to the sides, parallel to the ground) with
appropriate voice is sometimes given to indicate that
(1) an attempt to tag a runner between bases has failed (e.g., rundown1, voice- "no tag!").
(2) a batted, thrown, or pitched ball has struck a barrier but has not become dead due
to lodging, entering DBT, or fan interference (no voice).
(3) an appeal has been denied (voice- "safe" or "he's OK").
(4) interference or obstruction has been a possibility, but does not occur, or contact is
incidental: e.g., batted ball almost strikes a runner, fielder deflects a batted ball
into a runner, runner in a rundown goes out of his way to contact a fielder who is
not protected (voice in these cases- "that's nothing!").