If there are less than two outs and first base is occupied, a dropped third strike could lead to a sneaky double play. Baseball rules academy the rules of baseball, explained. The amateur softball association defines the dropped third strike rule in rule 8, section 1b. Learn the rule and what to do as the catcher, hitter, or baserunner.
Whether they call it a dropped third strike or an uncaught third strike, it hasnt gotten to the catcher yetif heshe catches it when it gets there, it should be an outsimilar to a caught foul tip. Baseball and softball scorebook national collegiate athletic. The dropped third strike rule in baseball can be a little confusing, but now that you are an expert, you will now know how to explain it to someone who may not know. Score the play k 2u if the third strike is uncaught, and the catcher tags out the batter before he reaches first.
Robert dexter from tupelo, ms asks bases loaded with 2 outs. I like to think of a dropped third strike as a last chance for a batter who has struck out during an at bat to try and reach base safely. In this case, the batter is not out although the pitcher is awarded a strikeout. If the catcher drops the third strike, the batter is permitted to attempt to advance to first base if there are two outs in the inning or if it is unoccupied. What is the third dropped strike rule fastpitch softball tv. When i said if the fielder only has to touch the bag for it to be a force out, what i meant was that if thats all a fielder has to do the force out rule applies, i.
If a batter reaches first on a dropped third strike does the batter. The lightly printed cross in the center of each scoring square may be used to move the runner around the bases. A strike is a judgment by the umpire as to whether the batter attempted to strike the ball. Baseball rules in plain english mailfax order page. In softball what is the rule for drop 3rd strike answers. Run scoring on dropped 3rd strike 3rd out post by bryan d shepherd. Dont know about baseball but ncaa softball scoring rules 14. If a batter reaches first on a dropped third strike does the batter receive a hit in the score books. Baseball scorekeeping is the practice of recording the details of a baseball game as it unfolds. Baseball is full of obscure rules, and you never know which ones youll need to refer to during a game. The catcher looks the runner back to third, delivers the throw to first, then positions himself for a throw back to the plate.
In baseball and softball, an uncaught third strike occurs when the catcher fails to cleanly catch a pitch for the third strike of a plate appearance. Fielders do not receive any errors during dropped third strike or. I suppose somewhere there is a rules interpretation book to go along with the rules. A dropped third strike can result in four strikeouts in one inning. But, twice now in games, teams have tried to use that the runner is stealing move. Teams are limited to scoring 5 runs per inning, and games will be 6 innings long. Baseball rules in plain english credit cardpaypal order page. You are not able to also apply an error to that play. Extracted in entirety from rule 10 in ncaa baseball rules and interpretations book twobase hit or threebase hit, or whether he advanced beyond first base on the fielders choice. To keep it short, ill assume that what you wrote is the literal situation. In major league baseball mlb, the specific rules concerning the uncaught third strike are addressed in rules 5.
If outcome of game has been decided by the middle of the 5th inning, the game will be called. The lightly printed cross in the center of each scoring square may be. How do i score a batter who advances to first on a dropped third strike. The base runners advance to 1st is scored as a passed ball error on the cather. And understanding them will help you become a true baseball expert. If a 3rd strike is uncaught and 1st base is unoccupied with less that two outs or at any time with 2 outs, the batter may attempt to advance to 1st. In the game of softball, chaos can be quite inevitable especially if you dont learn the rules by heart. Another variation of this drill has a runner on third base less than two outs.
Baseball and softball scorebook national collegiate. According to baseball rules, there cannot be both a dropped third strike and throwingfielding error if the runner only advances to first base. Visit our frequently asked questions section to find solutions for your issues. The goal is to help participants understanding the rules. Contains more than just the rules of baseball things you need to know or that will help you understand the differences between various sections of the rule book. If youve ever seen an umpire rule book, youll appreciate the convenience of this baseball resource. This rule does provide some protection to the batter here. The batter isnt safe because the catcher dropped the ball. The dropped third strike can even make people wonder why it exists. If the play had been made at first batter safe or out and the player from third advanced home, that run would be scored as a fielders choice. The rule is a vestige of the earliest days of baseball, when a third strike was.
This includes the use of any object in the coachs box other than a stopwatch. In baseball, what is the rationale for a drop third strike. The runner advanced to first because of the dropped third strike. I have updated to current numbers and sections in contrasting color.
Keep a book with scorekeeping hints and tips handy. If there is a runner on first base and less than two outs, then a dropped third strike doesnt matter and the batter is out. If, by some chance, another player gets in on the putout, score the play with the appropriate positional numbers. Jims baseball rules answers rule myths last updated march 21. A dropped third strike can only occur when first base is not occupied or there are two outs. Beginning with the major rules differences in the nfhs rulebook which was originally one short page, i initially expanded this umpiring aid some time ago by adding rule excerpts to the. Steve os answers to rules questions steve os baseball. If first base is unoccupied and a third strike is not handled by. In baseball and softball, an uncaught third strike sometimes referred to as dropped third strike or noncaught third strike occurs when the catcher fails to cleanly catch a pitch for the third strike of a plate appearance. The official scorer shall not make any decision that conflicts with an umpires decision. The runner on 3rd crosses the plate before the batter is throw out at first.
Rules for a dropped third strike in softball sportsrec. It is scored as a strike out for the pitcher as far as the pitchers stats but not an out against the team at bat. Score the play k 2u if the third strike is uncaught, and the. All portions of this particular page and the pages of the official major league rules book are sole property of major league baseball and have been reproduced without any alteration by baseball almanac who first obtained the written permission of the office of the commissioner. Credit the pitcher with a strikeout, charge the batter with a strikeout. These rules eventually evolved into what we now know as. Little league essentials dropped uncaught third strike. Pierzynski ended up setting up a gamewinning double with his heads up baserunning, showing that the dropped third strike rule really can change the direction of a game in one pitch. The official scorer shall have authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in these rules. Some scorers distinguish between a swinging and called third strike by using the k backwards or a kc for called third strikes. In 1969, the pitchers mound dropped five inches and the strike zone reduced. This article was published in the spring 2015 baseball research journal. If the batter reaches first base safely, you score the play as e2 but still credit the pitcher with a strikeout.
According to their official rule book, obstruction is when a defensive player affects or prevents a batter from swinging at a pitched ball or hinders the progress of a runner. How do you score a 3rd strike and the batter is safe. Dropped third strike scoring high school baseball web. As drill pointed out, theres a possibility of a heck of a lot more to it than just scoring a batter who reaches because of a dropped 3rd strike. For example, with bases loaded, the catcher could drop the third strike, step on home plate to force out the runner from.
When the third strike is a passed ball, permitting the batter to reach first base, the. If the batter strikes out swinging or looking and the catcher does not catch the pitch before it hits the ground, the batter can run to first base. A run cannot score on a play where the third out is made by the batter. How do you score a missed third strike if catcher drops third. How do you score a 3rd strike and the batter is safe because. In general, most baseball batters reach first base by way of a hit or a walk. To score a dropped third strike follow these steps. If smothered against his body or protector, it is a catch provided the ball struck the catchers glove or hand first. The official scorer shall conform strictly to the rules of scoring set forth in this rule 10. If a pitcher is up in the count, 02 or 12 for instance, the tendency is to throw a little junk to get the batter to chase, this is when you hear your little league coach yelling. After a third strike, the batterrunner hinders the catcher attempting to field a ball. Copies of the pony girls softball rule book may be obtained from pony baseball and softball.
Dropped third strike another quality installment from the rulebook guru on how to react during a dropped third strike. If this drill is practiced often enough it will virtually eliminate a catcher panicking on a dropped third strike. If the batter is thrown out at first base, you score the play k, 23. Run scoring on dropped 3rd strike 3rd out post by bryan d shepherd thu aug 09, 2012 5. If first base is unoccupied, then the batter can try to run to first base regardless of how many outs there are in the inning.
In major league baseball mlb, the specific rules concerning the uncaught third strike are. This exact situation is specifically addressed in mlb rules. What is the third dropped strike rule by gary leland. If the catcher is unable to catch the pitched ball cleanly, and it is the third strike of the at. There are quirks at every level of this game, from mlb to little league. One of the most uncommon ways to reach base is from a dropped or uncaught third strike. If a foul tip first strikes the catchers glove and then goes on through and is caught by both hands against his body or protector, before the ball touches the ground, it is a strike, and if third strike, batter is out. This is perhaps the most famous instance of a dropped third strike. If the catcher does not catch the third strike, the batter is considered a baserunner and must be tagged or thrown out at first base for the out to be recorded. The intent is to provide further explanation in conjunction with the official usssa fast pitch playing rules rule book. If the batterrunner touched 1st before passing the runner on 1st at the time of the pitch and since the 3rd out was not on a force play, the batterrunner is out for the 3rd out and all 3 runners score. Pierzynski went on to score the games winning run moments later. A run or score is the score made by an offensive player who advances from batter to runner and touches first, second, third and home bases in that order.
It is then ruled an uncaught third strike, an exception to the third strike rule. Nyjer morgan could have been called for interference for kicking a dropped third strike in houston 7. The dropped third strike rule does not apply in our pixie and freshman divisions. This was probably the most controversial rule change in baseballs history and is still subject to lively debate. If such bunt on third strike results in a foul fly caught by any fielder, do not score a strikeout. Dropped 3rd strike situation the pitch hits the ground before home plate and the catcher catches the ball on the bounce. If the catcher fails to catch the ball on a third strike, and first base is open, or there are two outs, then the batter becomes a runner.
For 2015 the obr book was completely revised and reorganized. Let me quote the entire rule from the rulebook, as its nice and short. Important notes 1 the playing rules committee, at its december 2014 meeting, voted to. Each year, little league provides its constituent leagues with current little league rules, regulations, and policies that outline and define the operation of the program. If there are already 2 outs in the inning, then the batter can try to run to first base on a dropped third strike, regardless of whether or not first base is already occupied. Sometimes, players will reach base on an error, hit by pitch or fielders choice.
One thing to note is that this rule usually is not enforced at younger levels, teeball or minors. When the catcher fails to catch the third strike before the ball touches the ground and there are fewer than two outs and first base is not occupied at the time of the pitch or any time there are two outs. The rule we are told is that a batter can run to first on a 3rd dropped strike if first is empty, or, if there are two outs even if a runner is on first. Baseball rules book in considering the application of a particular rule. Stump the ump is the source for answers about baseball rules, game situations, or umpiring. You have baseball questions, we have baseball answers.
It can also dramatically change a game, even a postseason series. The 2 signifies the catchers numerical position in scoring, and the 3 represents the first baseman. Official baseball rules obr the official rules of baseball. One of the rules that each player must learn and fully understand is the drop third strike rule.
As it relates to the astros, the nfhs rules explicitly states that use of amplifiers for coaching purposes during the course of the game is illegal. I have been umpiring youth baseball for many decades and this is a revelation. In 1973, the american league adopted the designated hitter rulerejected to this day by the national league. The order of the bases is in a counterclockwise direction around the square from home to first, etc. The objective of each team is to win by scoring more runs than the opponent. The rule that a batter can attempt to advance to first base after a dropped third strike was part of the new york rules, written in 1845. The amateur softball association of american sets the universal rules for softball in the united states. Breaking the wrists, or the barrel of the bat crossing the plate are simply guides to making the judgment of an attempt, these are not rules. Credit the fielder who catches such foul fly with a putout. Batters can run on dropped 3rd strike by the catcher if the 1 st base is unoccupied.
The only problem i have with this rule is the ball hitting the ground or plate before it gets to the catcher. This rule applies when first base is open, or if there are two outs. The local rules are a one page supplement to the green book game length. As for scoring, its either a wild pitch, or a passed ball. A run batted in is credited to the batter when a runner scores because of a base hit, including the batterrunners score on a. The rule is a vestige of the earliest days of baseball, when a third strike was considered a ball in play, to be fielded like any batted ball. The rules under nfhs are strict when it comes to unsportsmanlike conduct and there is zero tolerance for cheating. We want to bring you the most uptodate, informative and exciting baseball information. Case book material in this edition are in shaded boxes and are labeled as comment. Professional baseball leagues hire official scorers to keep an official record of each game from which a box score can be generated, but many fans keep score as well for their own enjoyment. Whats the reasoning behind the uncaught third strike rule. Baseball rules academy exists to simplify this crazy game.
Quick, understandable discussions of baseball softball rules that are often misunderstood or misinterpreted. Are you here because youre looking for the baseball rule about a dropped third strike. Baseball discussion group ask the umpire dropped 3rd. The batter becomes a runner when the third strike called by the umpire is not caught, providing 1 first base is unoccupied or 2 first base is occupied with two out. May 11, 2014 uncaught third strike so most of us know the basics of d3k. I think if scoring a pro rules game it is strikeoutpassed ball it is understood that if it is a strike that the catcher should have stopped it and in hs rules it is a strikeoute2 just the way hs rules are ps in a hs game remember to only score a sac fly when a run scores.
278 1138 730 644 1535 212 12 595 586 1633 1225 462 721 100 469 493 1544 175 1212 1244 1511 680 97 229 627 1633 1302 155 1194 389 1584 217 820 564 890 1024 187 83 381 569 997 1077 669 163