Guides · Strikeouts

Dropped third strike

Strike three hits the dirt and the batter takes off for first. The pitcher still gets a strikeout. What you score next depends on whether the batter was allowed to run and how he got there.

When the batter can run

On a third strike the catcher doesn’t catch, the batter becomes a runner if (Rule 5.05(a)(2)):

• first base is empty, or
• there are two outs, whether or not first is occupied.

With a runner on first and fewer than two outs, he’s out on the strike, caught or not (Rule 5.09(a)(3)). That stops the defense from dropping the ball on purpose to start a double play.

What “not caught” means

A legal catch means the ball is in the catcher’s glove before it touches the ground (Rule 5.09(a)(2), comment). A pitch that bounces first isn’t caught, even if the catcher smothers it cleanly. That’s why a curveball in the dirt for strike three sends the batter running even though nothing looked wrong.

A foul tip that goes directly into the catcher’s glove or body and is held is a caught third strike. The batter is out.

He has to try

A batter who doesn’t realize the ball got away and walks off is out once he leaves the dirt circle around home plate (Rule 5.05(a)(2), comment).

How to score it

It’s always a strikeout for the pitcher and the batter (Rule 9.15(a)(3)). Then record how the batter was put out or how he reached:

K 2-3

Catcher throws to first in time. Assist to the catcher, putout to the first baseman.

K 2 (or K-2U)

Catcher tags the batter. Putout to the catcher.

K-WP

Batter reaches because the pitch was too wild to handle, including a pitch in the dirt (Rule 9.13(a)).

K-PB

Batter reaches on a catchable pitch the catcher didn’t hold (Rule 9.13(b)).

K-E2, K-E3

Catcher gets to the ball in time but throws wild (E2), or the first baseman drops a good throw (E3).

K-FC

Catcher throws out a different runner instead, and the batter reaches.

The pitcher gets the strikeout even when the batter ends up on first. A pitcher can strike out four in an inning this way.

Examples

Youth leagues are different

Many younger divisions don’t let the batter run at all. In Little League, the batter can run on an uncaught third strike in the Majors division and above, but not in Minor League or Tee Ball. High school and travel leagues generally follow the rule above. Check your league’s rules before the season; it changes what you score.

Rules cited are from MLB’s Official Baseball Rules: Rule 5.05(a)(2), Rule 5.09(a)(2) and (3), Rule 9.13, and Rule 9.15. Your league’s rulebook governs your games.