Not a Drop 3rd Strike...
 

Lets say No Body out
Runner at 2nd Base
The count on the batter is 3 balls and 1 Strike
On the pitch the batter swings, the catchers misplays the ball and it is dropped.
The batter thinking the count was 3-2 breaks for 1st base, drawing a throw from the catcher, the ball sails into right field.
The runner on 2nd runs to 3rd on the play and eventually get to home plate/scores on the over throw.

What you got:
Interference on the batter for not knowing the count? She is out put the fun back on 2nd?

Bring the batter back to plate for her now 3-2 count let the run score?

Put the runner back on 2nd and batter back at the plate for the 3-2 count?

Something else?

Dumb move catcher. Defense is responsible for knowing the count and making appropriate play. Score the run and bring the batter back to bat.

RKBUmp We had a meeting last Monday and this play brought up. I said the same thing, even went possible one step further, because the catcher was not playing on a runner and didn't return the ball to the pitcher, dead-ball , ball four put the batter on 1st.

Can you cite me a rule reference, can't seam to find one exactly, I can by inference, but there is on anal-retentive in our group that will balk and squeal until I find a reference.

^^^ This. Of course, the baseball folks want to blame everyone, but the defense. :)

Huh! :confused:

Suggest you pick a rules-set to reference. The effect and ruling is different depending on which one you are asking about.

The closest I can give you is NFHS case play 3-6-13 Sit B. It involves a batter advancing on ball 3 and the runner also advancing, but same basic principle. The defense is responsible for knowing the count and making the appropriate play. ASA has basically the same clarification that the defense is responsible for knowing the count.

As to your exact play, I had this situation happen in a game I was helping my daughter coach last year and the umpire called the batter out. I argued my case to no avail and eventualy contacted the state rules interpreter citing the case play referenced. He confirmed this would be the same type of situation and the batter should not have been called for interference as the defense should have known the count and played on the runner advancing from 3rd.

Gr8, that 3 6 13 works well.

First thing I would like to know is what rule the umpire was enforcing. Probably win the protest.

SP w/stealing

1st & 2nd, outs irrelevant, 2-2 count on batter, pitch was called a ball and B started toward 1st while saying, "that's 4, right blue?" Catcher looks at the PU for the call and he said, "no, count's 3-2." By the time the catcher turned back toward the infield to return the ball, both runners advanced. Defense was pissed and wanted the runners returned. Didn't happen, PU told them it wasn't anyone's fault but their own that the catcher was distracted.

Protest was not upheld and I educated the team on the term, DMC :)

Believe me, this was only one of several situations we had with this particular umpire over the course of the season. From just a single game I detailed 2 pages worth of blowns calls with rules references and case plays which I submitted to his assigning associations head of officials. Not a thing was done about it.

The play I mentioned above was in the championship playoff, which started with the pitching plate at the wrong distance. His answer was to scratch one in the dirt with his foot. He claimed the athletic association told him to do that and get on with the games. I had my daughter tell him in the pregame meeting she was playing the game under protest as the rules are specific the game cannot start with the plate at the wrong distance. I had all the paperwork filled out to file the protest for not only the pitching plate distance but the out call on the batter. I gave it all to my daughter, which she gave to her principal to file. He chose not to pursue the protest and let it go.

Would have went ahead and distributed it to all parties concerned. The only way bad situations get corrected is if people of authority act upon them.