Batter awarded first on third strike

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally posted by rwest
Per Rule 8-5-F-5 (ASA)

A batter is awarded first base on a third strike if a fielder contacts or catches a fair batted, thrown or pitched ball with detached equipment or uniform.

Can someone give me a realistic scenario where this would occur?

Here's one I've come up with....

1. Assuming 0-2 count on batter, if the batter swings and misses and the catcher fails to catch the ball, we have a dropped third strike. Assuming 1st base is empty with less than 2 outs, if the catcher retrieves the ball with her mask, we have a dead ball and all runners, including the batter-runner are awarded 1 base from the time of the pitch.

Would the batter be awarded first base if first was occupied on dropped third strike? I would assume no, since 8-5-F-7 says that on a pitch that eludes the catcher and retrieved with detached equipment there is no penalty if...

a: the runners are not advancing
b: no apparent play is possible or
c: no advantage gained

I'd say that there is no apparent play if on a dropped third strike the runner can not legally run to first.

Now assume that there are runners on 1st and 2nd. Would the batter get first on a D3K that the catcher retrieves with her mask, if the runners were advancing or do we just award each runner one base but the batter is still out?

Please understand the difference. The rule applies to all fielders, the exception (para 7) applies only to the pitch.

In your scenario, the B does not get 1B as they are out the moment the strike is ruled and is unaffected by any subsequent play. The runners would be awarded on base from their position at the time of the illegal act assuming they are still on the move when it occurs.