In baseball, what is the reason for the rule that a batter can run to first on a dropped third strike?

Question

In baseball, what is the reason for the rule that a batter can run to first on a dropped third strike?

Answer 1

Wild Pitch rule...IDK, Though this did happen this year which ended up in a 4 Strikeout inning Scott Baker of the Twins threw a strike that got Past the Catcher Mike Redmond and Fielder got to first it didn't count as an out but it counted as a K

Answer 2

i've wondered this same thing. does that mean a pitcher could potentially throw an infinite amount of strikeouts if the catcher continues to drop the third strike?

Answer 3

To get the out it needs to be official and with out being official its not an out.  Its just like a fly ball hit to thee out-field and the guy drops it its then not an out  

Answer 4

A catcher gets credit for a put out when he catches a 3rd strike. Its just like any other out, a defensive player needs to catch the ball and maintain control of it to make the out official.

The rules that prohibit the batter from running to 1st with a runner already on 1st and less than 2 outs are intended to avoid situations where the defense intentionally drops a 3rd strike to get a double (or tripple) play.

Answer 5

Well for every other out (except interference) the defender has to catch the ball. It makes perfect sense that if on a swinging third strike the ball is dropped the batter has a chance to remain safe.

Putouts, Tags, Catches all end up with the ball in someones glove. Strikeouts should too (either the catcher, or the 1st baseman)

Answer 6

It gives the catcher an incentive to catch the ball, it's the same as if the batter hits a foul tip and the catcher catches it. Plus, it gives the batter a chance to reach base.

Answer 7

Strike Three ends a batter's plate appearance.

But, dropped, the putout is not recorded -- the catcher gets credit for the PO when he does catch it -- so the batter is not out, but he's done batting.

What to do?

He can bail and return to the dugout and not even try to avoid being put out, or he can (if the circumstances are right) try to reach base.

The batter is entitled to try advancing to first base on a dropped third strike if either:

a. first base is unoccupied, or

b. there are two outs, regardless of current baserunners.

Condition (a) prevents the defense from intentionally dropping a third strike and going for an easy double play.