Can a ball in the dirt be a strike?

[SC Ump]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Dakota

However, that isn't what happened here...

Good question to refresh us on. I pretty sure that back in '93 or so, NFHS stated that if the batter did not enter the box that the umpire should becon the pitcher to deliver the ball and "shall" call a strike. I remember that I missed the question on an exam and later found the answer in the Case Book. (My first rookie mistake: ignoring the case book while studying.)

Currently NFHS seems to agree with other codes and the 7.3.1 Penalty states in part, "For failure of the batter to be ready within 20 seconds after the ball has been returned to the pitcher, the umpire shall call a strike. If it is the third strike, the umpire shall call time and declare the batter out."

By the way... how did the "I've got 3B; you are supposed to peel off at 2B and go home" mechanic ever get started? I think the next partner that suggest that to me, I am going to counter with: "Let's have the BU take the call at 1B, the PU then take 2B, BU take 3B and PU take home." That seems to make just about as much sense.