3rd strike dropped goes OB, award batter 1st ??

[chuck chopper]

Friday night Baltimore Orioles game this "almost" was the case. Details unimportant, however Announcers were told by the umpire crew that on a 3rd strike dropped that goes out of bounds (camera well) that the batter could NOT be awarded 1st base because the defense was deprived of the opportunity to make a play on him. Tried to find something on this in ASA book, and spoke to 3 UIC's over the weekend. No one could sight a similar call for Softball. I would currently rule any runner & the batter gets one base.