Uncaught third strike
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In baseball, an uncaught third strike (also incorrectly known as a dropped third strike) occurs when the catcher fails to cleanly catch a pitch which is the third strike. A pitch is considered uncaught when the ball touches the dirt before being caught, or if the ball is dropped after being grasped (see also catch). The specific rules concerning the uncaught third strike are addressed in Rules 6.05 and 6.09 of the Official Baseball Rules[2], under which Major League Baseball is played.
On a 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. Some umpires will actively signal that there is "no catch" of the pitch. The batter can then attempt to reach first base, and must be tagged or thrown out.
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 is not enough that the offensive player is unsuccessful in order for an out to be made; a defensive player must be successful as well.
Regardless of the outcome of a uncaught strike three, 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 the major leagues 47 times since 1901 [3], though at one point nearly forty years passed before this feat was repeated (1916-1956).
Notice that if, at the time of the strike three pitch, first base is occupied with fewer than 2 outs, the batter is out and does not become a runner. This is to prevent the defense from deliberately dropping the 3rd strike and getting a double or triple play as a result, because of "force" situation kicking in (as the batter becomes a runner).
[edit] Controversy
The rule led to controversy in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the 2005 American League Championship Series when umpire Doug Eddings made a third strike call which many, including commentators Joe Buck and Tim McCarver, believed to be unclear. Eddings said he indicated "strike," without calling the batter "out." The catcher tossed the ball to the mound and ran off the field, thinking there were three outs and the batter started off the field as well. However, before reaching the dugout the batter realized there had been no "out" call. He turned around and ran to first base where he was declared safe on an uncaught strike three.
The rule on such a scenario was changed when a comment was added in 2006 to Rule 6.09(b)[1]: "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.[4]"
[edit] Appearance in fiction
The uncaught third strike rule is featured in the pilot episode, "Genesis", of the science-fiction television series Quantum Leap. The theme of the series involved correcting mistakes in history, by way of a form of time travel. At the end of the pilot episode, the protagonist strikes out but then achieves an inside-the-park home run because of numerous fielding errors, thus winning the game for his team, which as a result does not finish the season in last place. In the "original" history, the batter had flied out to centerfield.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Roder, Rick. Official Baseball Rules Changed for First Time in 10 Years. [1]. Accessed 2007-03-14.
- ^ DVD, Quantum Leap: The Pilot Episode, released 1998.
