Dropped Third Strike & Tipped Third Strike Situations
The batter has a 0-2 count with no outs and the runner on first base is stealing on the pitch.
A. The batter tips the pitch and the ball goes directly to the catcher's chest protector and then falls into his catcher's mitt and the ball is secured by the catcher.
Question: Is the batter out on strikes or does he remain at the plate? Does the runner remain at 2nd or return to 1st.
B. The batter tips the pitch and the ball goes directly into the catcher's mitt. The ball falls out of his mitt, hits the top of his knee, but the catcher gets the ball securely back in his glove before it hits the ground.
Question: Is the batter out on strikes or does he remain at the plate? Does the runner remain at 2nd or return to 1st?
Extra Credit Trick Questions: The batter has a 0-2 count with no outs and no runners:
C. The batter swings and misses the pitch, but the ball hits the catcher in the chest protector in flight. The catcher traps the ball against his chest and then secures it in his hand before it hits the ground.
Question: Is the batter out immediately or is this a dropped 3rd strike and the defense must put-out the batter?
D. The pitch throws a curve ball in the dirt (hits the ground). The batter swings and misses. After the ball passes the bat, the ball goes directly into the catcher's mitt and is secured by the catcher.
Question: Is the batter out immediately or is this a dropped 3rd strike and the defense must put-out the batter?
E: The pitcher throws a curve ball in the dirt (hits the ground). The batter swings and tips the pitch and the tipped ball goes directly to the catcher's mitt where it is secured by the catcher.
Question: Is the batter out immediately or is this a dropped 3rd strike and the defense must put-out the batter?