Unusual dropped third strike

[justmom]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

And there are plenty of coaches who do tell their girls that on the third strike, run to first base in case the catcher drops it.

I'm not saying run on the third strike, I'm saying run on the next pitch, even if it's called a ball because it might be appealed.

[bluezebra]

Originally Posted by WestMichBlue

This is one of my favorite pet peeves and most of my fellow umpires disagree with me, but I am not going to honor an appear on an uncaught ball that can be turned into a 3rd strike.

If I decided that the batter did not swing, than I am calling an emphatic "BALL!" - leaving no doubt that is what I want called. I will not honor a request to "appeal." I state that the defense has gained an unfair advantage in that the catcher has time to retrieve the ball and gets an easy (undeserved) out when the call is reversed - and my ball call has held the batter at the plate.

Afterall - it was the defense that make the mistake - and they should not be rewarded with an easy out.

WMB

I don't know about honoring an "appear", but a APPEAL on a checked swing SHOULD be honored. You sound like a hard head to me. Get the call right, even if it bruises your little ego.

Bob

[bluezebra]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

And there are plenty of coaches who do tell their girls that on the third strike, run to first base in case the catcher drops it.

Smart coaching. I had a game MANY years ago, where four batter-runners reached base because they automatically ran on every third strike.

Bob