Nobody out, no runners on base, 2 strikes on the batter. Batter swings and misses on a ball in the dirt, catcher picks it up cleanly. Is the batter out, or is this a dropped 3rd strike rule? Some umpired play it out, and some umpires call the batter out. What is the ruling?
Oldmate, thanks for your inquiry.
Yes, It is a DROPPED 3RD STRIKE.
There are some factors that may influence an umpires decision to call the batter out without any play arising from the situation.
PLATE UMPIRE:
1. If the pitch hit the dirt on the outside of and behind the plate, and the umpire setting up (IN THE SLOT IE inside edge), they may not have seen the ball hit the dirt, only thinking that the catcher took it cleanly.
2. If the catcher blocked his view of that area where the ball hit the dirt, the umpire may not be aware that it has hit the dirt.
3. TIMING: If the umpire has made their decision to quickly, and not processing every thing that has happened, would make them think it was a normal strike, not hitting the dirt.
If ones timing is out, it can be a factor.
4. NOISE: Sometimes the ball would make a sound when it hits the dirt. The hard part is, how close to the glove did the ball hit the dirt.
If a noise is heard before the glove, was it the ball hitting the bat, or was it the ball hitting the dirt.
This is where ball tracking is important, and where timing is important, knowing when the sounds occurred.
An umpire should always use their eyes and their ears to make decisions, just like at 1st base.
5. What does the game want. Level of game.
Apply the RULES with interpretation and experience.
In high level games, if the catcher takes it cleanly, the batter will accept the out, even if the umpire has not called the OUT.
Everyone excepts that the batter missed it and the catcher took it cleanly. NO need for the play of the batter running to first, and the catcher, either, chasing them for a tag, or throwing the ball for an OUT.
6. The RULES also apply to a BATTER/RUNNER, where if the BR abandon their efforts to run bases, they can be called out.
No longer does the umpire have to wait until their reach the dugout, once the BR leaves the cutout area, or the area that would be considered the cutout area, they then can be called out.
BASE UMPIRE:
1. The BASE umpire would not be involved in this situation, DROPPED THIRD STRIKE.
This call would and could not be changed, even with consultation between umpires.
2. HELPFUL HINTS for BASE umpires when observing the plate area during the time of a pitch.
2a. If the ball was touched by the bat (swing) and the ball hits the dirt before the catchers glove and the plate umpire has not seen or heard it, the BASE umpire can come with a FOUL call.
It is not considered overruling the call, more that the BASE umpire has seen the ball hit the dirt.
This assistance CALL, only happens with this sort of play, not every FOUL CALL.
2b. CHECK SWING: If the PLATE umpire thinks that there may be a request from the defensive team for a check swing, they should ask their partner (BASE umpire) immediately for a check swing, and not wait for a request.
If the BASE umpire comes up immediately with YES HE DID, after the Plate umpire request, then both teams know the situation with the play.
The same applies with NO HE DIDN'T, both teams know the situation with the play.
I hope I have helped you with some of the different situations that may be in play with your question.
I hope I have not bored you with the information I have supplied.
