Dropped third strike
Encyclopedia
In baseball
, an uncaught third strike (often inaccurately referred to as a dropped third strike) occurs when the catcher
fails to cleanly catch a pitch
for the third strike
. A pitch is considered uncaught if the ball touches the ground before being caught, or if the ball is dropped after being grasped (see also catch). In Major League Baseball
, the specific rules concerning the uncaught third strike are addressed in Rules 6.05 and 6.09 of the Official Baseball Rules.
On an uncaught third strike with no runner on first base or with two outs, the batter immediately becomes a runner. The strike is called, but the umpire
does not call the batter
out. The umpire may also actively signal that there is "no catch" of the pitch. The batter may then attempt to reach first base and must be tagged
or thrown
out. With two outs and the bases loaded, the catcher who fails to catch the third strike may, upon picking up the ball, step on home plate for a force-out or make a throw to any other fielder.
One intent of this rule is to ensure that a defensive player fields the ball cleanly in order for that team to record an out. It was thought that it was not enough that the offensive player be unsuccessful at the plate in order for an out to be made; a defensive player must be successful as well.
Regardless of the outcome of an uncaught third strike, the pitcher
is statistically credited with a strikeout
. Because of the uncaught third strike rule, it is possible for a pitcher to register more than three strikeouts in an inning
, a feat which has been accomplished in Major League Baseball 56 times.
If at the time of the strike three pitch
, first base is occupied with fewer than two outs, the batter is automatically out and cannot become a runner. This is to prevent the defense from deliberately dropping a third strike pitch and getting a double or triple play as a result, because of the possible force play at second, third base, or home plate in this situation.
In Little League divisions Tee-Ball, Minor League, and Little League (or the Major Division) the batter is out after the third strike regardless of whether the pitched ball is caught cleanly by the catcher. In Junior, Senior, and Big League divisions a batter may attempt to advance to first base on an uncaught third strike. Little League Major Division Softball as well as many other youth baseball leagues, such as the USSSA also follow the rule.
, the application of the rule was changed when a comment was added in 2006 to Rule 6.09(b):
This comment represents the official interpretation of the application of the rule. Previous to this rule change, a batter was able to try for first at any time before entering the dugout.
On May 17, 2011, Miguel Cairo advanced to first after leaving the dirt circle when the umpires forgot about Rule 6.09(b)
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, an uncaught third strike (often inaccurately referred to as a dropped third strike) occurs when the catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
fails to cleanly catch a pitch
Pitch (baseball)
In baseball, a pitch is the act of throwing a baseball toward home plate to start a play. The term comes from the Knickerbocker Rules. Originally, the ball had to be literally "pitched" underhand, as with pitching horseshoes. Overhand throwing was not allowed until 1884.The biomechanics of...
for the third strike
Strike zone
In baseball, the strike zone is a conceptual right pentagonal prism over home plate which defines the boundaries through which a pitch must pass in order to count as a strike when the batter does not swing.-Definition:...
. A pitch is considered uncaught if the ball touches the ground before being caught, or if the ball is dropped after being grasped (see also catch). In Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
, the specific rules concerning the uncaught third strike are addressed in Rules 6.05 and 6.09 of the Official Baseball Rules.
On an uncaught third strike with no runner on first base or with two outs, the batter immediately becomes a runner. The strike is called, but the umpire
Umpire (baseball)
In baseball, the umpire is the person charged with officiating the game, including beginning and ending the game, enforcing the rules of the game and the grounds, making judgment calls on plays, and handling the disciplinary actions. The term is often shortened to the colloquial form ump...
does not call the batter
Batting (baseball)
In baseball, batting is the act of facing the opposing pitcher and trying to produce offense for one's team. A batter or hitter is a person whose turn it is to face the pitcher...
out. The umpire may also actively signal that there is "no catch" of the pitch. The batter may then attempt to reach first base and must be tagged
Tag out
In baseball, a tag out, sometimes just called a tag, is a play in which a baserunner is out because he is touched by the fielder's hand or glove holding a live ball while the runner is in jeopardy...
or thrown
Force play
In baseball, a force is a situation when a baserunner is compelled to vacate his time-of-pitch base—and thus try to advance to the next base—because the batter became a runner. A runner at first base is always forced to attempt to advance to second base when the batter becomes a runner...
out. With two outs and the bases loaded, the catcher who fails to catch the third strike may, upon picking up the ball, step on home plate for a force-out or make a throw to any other fielder.
One intent of this rule is to ensure that a defensive player fields the ball cleanly in order for that team to record an out. It was thought that it was not enough that the offensive player be unsuccessful at the plate in order for an out to be made; a defensive player must be successful as well.
Regardless of the outcome of an uncaught third strike, the pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
is statistically credited with a strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
. Because of the uncaught third strike rule, it is possible for a pitcher to register more than three strikeouts in an inning
Inning
Inning is a municipality in the district of Erding in Bavaria in Germany....
, a feat which has been accomplished in Major League Baseball 56 times.
If at the time of the strike three pitch
Time of pitch
In baseball, the time of pitch is that instant when the pitcher has begun his pitching motion and, by the rules, has committed himself to throwing the pitch. This instant thus occurs before the pitcher actually releases the ball. Once a pitcher commits himself to throwing a pitch, it is illegal...
, first base is occupied with fewer than two outs, the batter is automatically out and cannot become a runner. This is to prevent the defense from deliberately dropping a third strike pitch and getting a double or triple play as a result, because of the possible force play at second, third base, or home plate in this situation.
In Little League divisions Tee-Ball, Minor League, and Little League (or the Major Division) the batter is out after the third strike regardless of whether the pitched ball is caught cleanly by the catcher. In Junior, Senior, and Big League divisions a batter may attempt to advance to first base on an uncaught third strike. Little League Major Division Softball as well as many other youth baseball leagues, such as the USSSA also follow the rule.
Recent changes
Following a controversial play involving this rule in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the 2005 American League Championship Series2005 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 11, 2005 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, IllinoisIn the series opener, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim won 3–2 in their third game in as many nights and as many cities. The Angels took the lead in the second inning on a Garret Anderson home run. The Angels added two...
, the application of the rule was changed when a comment was added in 2006 to Rule 6.09(b):
Rule 6.09(b) Comment: A batter who does not realize his situation on a third strike not caught, and who is not in the process of running to first base, shall be declared out once he leaves the dirt circle surrounding home plate."
This comment represents the official interpretation of the application of the rule. Previous to this rule change, a batter was able to try for first at any time before entering the dugout.
On May 17, 2011, Miguel Cairo advanced to first after leaving the dirt circle when the umpires forgot about Rule 6.09(b)