The dropped third strike rule, explained for umpires

What does the dropped third strike rule say?

Rule 5.05(a)(2) of the Official Baseball Rules says the batter becomes a runner when the third strike called by the umpire is not caught, provided first base is unoccupied, or first base is occupied with two out. Rule 5.09(a)(3) is the other half: the batter is out when a third strike is not caught while first base is occupied before two are out.

The words "called by the umpire" include a swinging strike. The umpire calls every strike, swung at or not, so a swinging third strike in the dirt is covered the same as a called one.

The rule works like the infield fly. With first base occupied and fewer than two out, a catcher who could drop the ball on purpose would have a force at every base. Making the batter out takes that away.

When is a third strike not caught?

A third strike is legally caught only when it is in the catcher's glove before the ball touches the ground. The comment to Rule 5.09(a)(2) adds that it is not legal if the ball lodges in his clothing or equipment, or if it touches the umpire and the catcher catches it on the rebound.

A pitch that hits the dirt first cannot become a caught third strike. Rule 5.05(a)(3) says that if the batter swings at a pitch that touched the ground after two strikes, the ball cannot be caught. However cleanly the catcher smothers it, the batter can run if first base is open or there are two out.

A foul tip is different. It is a ball that goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher and is legally caught, and a foul tip on strike three is a caught third strike. If it is not caught, it is simply a foul ball.

When can the batter run to first?

The batter can run in two situations: first base is empty, with any number out, or first base is occupied with two out. The second includes the bases loaded with two out.

He cannot run with a runner on first and fewer than two out. That covers first alone, first and second, first and third, and the bases loaded, all with none or one out. In each of those the batter is out on the strike.

When the batter does run with first base occupied and two out, the runners are forced. The Official Baseball Rules define a force play as one in which a runner loses his right to a base because the batter became a runner, so the defense can get the third out with a force at any forced base, home included.

How is the batter-runner put out?

Rule 5.09(a)(10) puts the batter out if, after a third strike, he or first base is tagged before he touches first. The catcher can tag him or throw to first, and with the bases full and two out, stepping on home for the force ends the inning too.

A batter who does not realize he can run is out once he leaves the dirt circle around home plate, if he is not in the process of running to first. That is the comment to Rule 5.05(a)(2). Until he leaves the circle, he can still go.

The scoring does not change with the result. Rule 9.15(a) credits the pitcher with a strikeout when the batter is put out on an uncaught third strike with a runner on first and fewer than two out, and when the batter becomes a runner because the third strike was not caught.

What happens when the pitch hits the umpire or the batter?

A third strike that passes the catcher and hits the umpire is in play. The comment to Rule 5.06(c)(7) says that if it rebounds and a fielder catches it before it touches the ground, the batter is not out on that catch, but he can still be retired at first or tagged.

A third strike that lodges in the umpire's or the catcher's mask or equipment and stays out of play gives the batter first base, and all runners advance one base, under the same comment.

If the batter-runner clearly hinders the catcher trying to field the ball, Rule 6.01(a)(1) makes him out, kills the ball and returns the other runners. If an uncaught pitch stays near the plate and the batter or umpire deflects it by accident, the ball is dead and runners return; on strike three, the batter is out. A pitch that bounces off the catcher or umpire and then touches the batter-runner is not interference unless he clearly hinders the catcher.

How should the plate umpire handle a dropped third strike?

Know two things before every two-strike pitch: is first base occupied, and how many are out. Say them to yourself in the stance. The ruling on an uncaught third strike depends on nothing else, and you will not have time to count once the ball is in the dirt.

On strike three in the dirt, signal the strike and nothing more. An out signal tells the batter to walk away and the catcher to relax, and it is wrong if the batter can run. If the catcher asks whether he caught it, answer plainly: no catch.

With first occupied and fewer than two out, the batter is out, and he may not know it. If he runs anyway, say it out loud so the defense does not throw the ball away chasing a play that does not exist.

Stay down on the pitch. Whether the ball reached the glove before the ground is the whole call, and you can only see it if your head is still at the catcher's glove when the ball arrives. Then watch the batter: you own the dirt circle, and you decide when he has left it.

The NCAA book states the same condition in its own words: the batter becomes a runner after a dropped third strike unless there is a runner on first and fewer than two out (NCAA 8-2-c). The Veritas pro vs college rule differences table sets the two codes side by side.