Dropped 3rd Strike

[odysseus]

There was some debate at a softball game the other day. I'm a high school volleyball and basketball official but havn't got into softball. I also run the youth sports in my area so I'm in charge of training officials. The question was if a ball bounces before the plate and the batter swings and misses. Is this considered dropped third strike? It was argued that the catch has to touch the ball then it hit the ground for this rule to apply.