Dropped 3rd Strike - Batter-Runner Contacts Ball
Nobody out, nobody on base. The count on the batter is 0-2. On the next pitch, the batter swings and misses the ball for strike 3. The ball then bounces off the catcher (for dropped 3rd strike) and under the batters feet. While the batter is still in the batters box, the ball contacts the batters feet as the batter starts running to 1st base on the dropped 3rd strike. The catcher then picks up the ball and throws it to 1st base before the batter-runner reaches 1st base. What do you have? Back to Quiz
An out.
Either way, there would be an out:
1. If, in the judgment of the umpire, the ball contact by the batter-runner impeded, hindered, or confused the catcher, then this is interference by the batter-runner and, by rule, an immediate "DEAD BALL" should be called by the umpire and the batter-runner is out for interference with a dropped third strike (rule 1.INTERFERENCE and 8-2-F.6 and 8-2-H EFFECT).
2. On the other hand, if, in the judgment of the umpire, the ball contact by the batter-runner is judged to only be of the incidental nature that does not impede, hinder, or confuse the catcher, then the umpire would allow the play to continue so the defense can make the out. In this case, the play continued and the defense made the out.
Therefore, for this question, either way there would be an out.
Question? How about, on a dropped 3rd strike, if the batter-runner runs in fair territory, and, while in fair territory, makes incidental contact with the ball that bounces off the catcher into fair territory also. Would the umpire kill this play immediately, or let it continue?
|
