Drop 3rd strike mechanic

[BretMan]

I don't know if this is the "official", or "documented" or "prefered" mechanic, but...

If it's a called third strike, I give the same exact signal I give on any other called third strike- whether the ball is caught or not. I stand up, "pull the rip cord" and say, "Strike three!". I never add, "The batter is out" as part of my third strike call (unless first is occupied with less than two outs and the batter starts to run, in which case she really is out).

So, I'm not really "calling the batter out". I'm just calling the strike like I normally would. The ball being caught or not and the batter-runner advancing to first is a separate element of the play that is up to the players to figure out on their own.