Queston about a rule in baseball

[PDXChris]

If the bases are loaded and you strike someone out and the catcher drops the ball, can he step on homeplate and then throw the first and get a double play. If so why don't catchers just do that on purpose to get 2 outs.

 

[Dback Jon]

Originally posted by bankybruce
If the bases are loaded and you strike someone out and the catcher drops the ball, can he step on homeplate and then throw the first and get a double play. If so why don't catchers just do that on purpose to get 2 outs.

The rule about getting to first when the catcher drops the ball only applies when 1st base is open.

 

[PDXChris]

Thank you

 

[unc84steve]

Very close.

Actually with 2 outs, the dropped 3rd strike rules comes back into play no matter what the baserunners situation is. In such a case, the catcher may step on home plate for a "force."

On the other hand, it's not a true force out like a ground out play to first or shortstop to 2nd base "force." This can be an interesting play when there's a runner on 3rd base with 2 outs. Getting a 3rd strike on a wild pitch with a breaking runner provides a big dilemma: do you go for the out at 1B or the runner from 3rd who might cross the plate before the out is recorded at 1st.

 

[Dback Jon]

Originally posted by unc84steve
Very close.

Actually with 2 outs, the dropped 3rd strike rules comes back into play no matter what the baserunners situation is. In such a case, the catcher may step on home plate for a "force."

On the other hand, it's not a true force out like a ground out play to first or shortstop to 2nd base "force." This can be an interesting play when there's a runner on 3rd base with 2 outs. Getting a 3rd strike on a wild pitch with a breaking runner provides a big dilemma: do you go for the out at 1B or the runner from 3rd who might cross the plate before the out is recorded at 1st.

I bow to your rules knowledge!
And that also makes sense!

 

[unc84steve]

Thanks. Most rules "make sense" like the infield fly rule (don't allow cheap DP's from pop ups with men on base). That's the basis of the automatic strikeout with a runner on first with LESS than two outs.

On the other hand, about once a week, you'll see a unique play you've never seen before (perfectly ordinary, but one that never came up). A few weeks ago, one out, the Cards sent Edmonds (or he was hitting) on a 3-2 hit & run. The pitch was clearly a ball and the batter seemed to check his swing. The throw went down to 2nd anyway and the runner was tagged but was going to be safe on the "walk".

Sure enough, they checked with the baseline ump and ruled the batter went around and swung. Thus it was a strike 'em out, throw 'em out DP. It makes sense in retrospect, and one might even say the runner should have slid hard. I don't think so because I've seen 30 years of baseball and never have seen such a play even though it should come up more often.

 

[BC867]

Originally posted by unc84steve
Very close.

Actually with 2 outs, the dropped 3rd strike rules comes back into play no matter what the baserunners situation is. In such a case, the catcher may step on home plate for a "force."

Getting a 3rd strike on a wild pitch with a breaking runner provides a big dilemma: do you go for the out at 1B or the runner from 3rd who might cross the plate before the out is recorded at 1st.

Not so, Steve. If the batter is thrown out at 1B -- whether it came from the SS, the Catcher on a bunt, or the Catcher on a dropped 3rd strike -- or on any forceout (vs. a tag play) for the third out . . . the run doesn't count, regardless of when he crossed the plate.

 

[unc84steve]

Ok, I'll defer to you there (because I've never seen that play) and it makes sense because of what I'll say below.

OTOH, with 2 outs a "dropped 3rd strike" restores the force play. This becomes relevant with the bases loaded when a wise catcher can just touch home plate.

 

[BC867]

Originally posted by unc84steve
OTOH, with 2 outs a "dropped 3rd strike" restores the force play. This becomes relevant with the bases loaded when a wise catcher can just touch home plate.

Uh, Uh! As Dback Jon said earlier:

The rule about getting to first when the catcher drops the ball only applies when 1st base is open.

 

[unc84steve]

Originally posted by BC867
Uh, Uh! As Dback Jon said earlier:

Excuse me, do we disagree about this situation when there are TWO outs and a runner on 1st (or 1st & 2nd or the bases are loaded)?