In this article you will learn everything you and your team need to know about a dropped third strike in baseball.

I am sharing words of wisdom, as well as rule interpretations that can help you win a game by using the dropped third strike rule to your advantage. 

The purpose of my posts are to share CONSISTENT, ACTIONABLE, REPEATABLE, & EXACT COACHING POINTERS.

The goal is to answer the following questions:

• What is the dropped 3rd strike rule in baseball?

• Is a dropped 3rd strike an error?

• What happens to the batter if the catcher drops the third strike and he is legally touched with the ball?

• Why does the catcher throw to first after a strikeout?

• Is there a dropped third strike in Little League?

• Is the ball dead after a strikeout?

• Why do batters run on strike 3?

• Can a dropped 3rd strike be a wild pitch?

Let’s see what this baseball rule is all about.

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What is the dropped 3rd strike rule in baseball?

The dropped third strike rule in baseball is when a hitter strikes out, but the catcher fails to catch the pitch in the air. When the ball hits the ground on a third strike, the hitter is allowed to run to first base. The hitter, who is now a base runner, must be tagged out before he reaches first base or the ball must be thrown to first base for a force out. If the hitter/runner makes it to first base safely, no out is awarded to the defense and the offense now has a runner on first.

Here are some tidbits to remember when teaching the 3rd strike dropped rule:

1. Regardless of the number of outs, if there is no runner on first base then the batter is not out until he is tagged out or thrown out.

2. If there are no outs or one out and a runner is on first base, the batter is automatically out and the base runner on first base may run at his own risk.

3. If there are two outs and a runner on first base, the batter is entitled to try to reach first base before being tagged out or thrown out and the runner at first base can try to advance to second base.

Is a dropped 3rd strike an error?

It all depends on if the hitter/base runner is out or safe.

If the hitter/base runner is tagged out or thrown out then the play is scored as a “K 2-3.”

If the hitter/base runner is safe at first, the play is scored as a “K E2.”

Either way, the pitcher gets credit for a strikeout.

What happens to the batter if the catcher drops the third strike and he is legally touched with the ball?

If a dropped third strike happens and the batter intentionally interferes with the catcher’s ability to make a play, the batter/runner is out because of the interference.

If a third strike missed by the catcher happens and the hitter/runner makes contact with the baseball while out of the batter’s box and intentionally or unintentionally touches the ball, he is out for coming in contact with a live baseball while in play.

Refer to tidbits above for other scenarios.

Why does the catcher throw to first after a strikeout?

The catcher must throw to first after a strikeout because the hitter/runner can be safe if not tagged or thrown out at first for a force.  This takes place on all third strike dropped plays.  The catcher must tag the batter/runner or throw the ball to first for a force.

If less than two outs and first base is occupied, the catcher does not need to make a throw.  The batter/runner is automatically out and the baserunner on first base can run at his own risk. 

Is there a dropped third strike in Little League?

Yes.  There is a dropped third strike rule in Little League.  In fact, this rule is in all baseball leagues from your local city park to Major League Baseball.

Is the ball dead after a strikeout?

No.  The ball is still alive after a strikeout; except when the batter swings and gets hit by the pitch.  The strikeout is still recorded and the ball is dead because of the batter being hit by pitch.  The batter is out.  

Why do batters run on strike 3?

Batters run on a strike 3 because they can earn first base and be safe if the pitch is dropped by the catcher.

If the catcher catches the third strike, well the batter is out.

If the catcher drops the third strike, the batter/runner must be tagged out or be thrown out at first with a force.

Can a dropped 3rd strike be a wild pitch?

Yes.  A dropped 3rd strike can be a wild pitch.  The reason is the catcher could not catch the pitch with ordinary effort and the batter swung at the pitch.  The pitch is recorded as a “K WP” if the hitter/runner is safe at first.  If the hitter/runner is out at first the play is recorded as “K 2-3.”

Offensive situations on third strike missed:

Situation #1: Third strike is dropped with any number of outs and no runner on first base, can the batter legally advance to first base?

Yes! The batter needs to sprint to first because he will be awarded the base if safe.

Situation #2: Third strike is dropped with less than two outs and a runner on first, can the batter legally advance to first base?

No! However, the batter should sprint to first (even though he is already out!) and the runner on first should stay on the base. The reason is the batter may cause a bad throw and the runner on first will advance to second base.

Situation #3: Third strike is dropped with two outs and a runner on first, can a batter legally advance to first base?

Yes! The batter needs to sprint to first base and the runner on first must sprint to second. Since there are two outs, both runners will be awarded the base if safe.

Rule to remember: On two outs, base runners and batters can run on anything.

Situation # 4: Third strike is dropped with any number of outs and runner on second only, runner on third only, or runners on second and third; can the batter legally advance to first base?

Yes! The batter needs to sprint to first because he will be awarded the base if safe. The other base runners can advance at their own risk.

Defensive situations on the third strike missed:

Situation #1: Third strike is dropped with any number of outs and no runner on first base.

The catcher must quickly tag the batter or throw the ball to first base on the inside or the outside of the baseline. The location of the ball when the catcher retrieves it will dictate whether the catcher will go inside or outside.

Situation #2: Third strike dropped with less than two outs and a runner on first base.

A.    The catcher will quickly gather the ball and hold onto it because the batter is automatically out.  However, the catcher is watching the runner on first just in case he tries to challenge the catcher and/or the base runner was not taught what to do in the "special situation" and runs to second base. if the runner on first runs to second the catcher will throw him out at second base with a tag play.

B.    If the base runner on first base is confused on what to do and is far enough off the base where the catcher can throw behind the runner for a tag out or a run down, he should do so. With this situation and the way it was executed there are now two outs; one out for the strike out and one more for the tag on the base runner.

Situation #3: Third strike is dropped with two outs and a runner on first base.

With two outs the catcher must quickly tag the batter or throw the ball to first base on the inside or outside of the baseline. The location of the ball when retrieved will dictate inside or outside.

Situation #4: Third strike dropped with a runner on second only or first and second; the catcher will have the following options:

A.    With two outs, the catcher should ignore the runner on second base and get the sure out by placing a tag on the batter himself or throwing to first base for the force out.

B.    With less than two outs the catcher should quickly gain control of the ball and place a tag on the batter. Usually, when the catcher places a tag on the batter the runner or runners on base will not try to advance.

C.    With less than two outs and the catcher is unable to tag the batter, he should listen to the shortstop talking to him. If the base runner at second base tries to advance, the shortstop will yell "three" which tells the catcher he needs to throw to third base. If the shortstop yells "one" the catcher will throw to first for the easy force.

D.    Sometimes the ball really gets away from the catcher and the only play he has is the "sure" out which is the throw to first base for the force. the out cannot be made at first, the catcher should then hold on to the ball. More than likely the base runner(s) and batter will be safe when the ball goes to the fence.

Situation #5: Third strike dropped and a runner on third base or second and third.

A.    If there are two Outs, the catcher will throw to first base for the force out and forget about the runner at third base.

B.    If there are less than two outs the first baseman will slowly move down the first baseline towards home plate (inside or outside appending on the position of the missed strike). The catcher retrieves the ball and listens to the call from the third baseman.

C.    If the third baseman sees that the runner at third is not committed to running home, he yells "First!" and the catcher throws to the first baseman who applies the batter/runner coming down the first baseline. Once the tag is applied, the first baseman then charges towards the base runner at third to tag to make him commit. We will try to force him back to third without a throw

E.    If the third baseman sees that the runner at third is not committed to running home he yells "First!" and the catcher throws to the first baseman. When the third baseman sees the runner at third run home on the throw to first, he yells "Home!" and if time permits, the first baseman applies the tag and then throws home for the possible double play.

• If the runner on third base is the Tying or winning run late in the game the first baseman will definitely get the out at home plate and forget about the batter/runner advancing to first.

• If the defense has a two run or more lead late in the game, the first baseman should get one out by tagging the batter/runner and maybe he will have time to get the other out at the plate. If not, the offense now has at least one out and no one on base.
  

F.    If the third baseman sees that the runner at third is committed to running home, he yells "Home!" and either the catcher or the pitcher applies the tag. Once the tag is applied, the pitcher/catcher must look to see if the batter/runner is trying to steal second.

Situation #6: Third strike dropped and the bases loaded.

A.    The catcher should quickly apply the tag to the batter or just simply touch home plate for the force out.

Situation #7: The inning, score, and the number of outs will play a part on the options the catcher and the defense has. The most important objective is to get out somehow, some way.

About the Author

KretzFiles.com was founded by Coach Ron Kretz, an experienced and successful high school baseball coach in Texas with over 30 years coaching and 19 as a head baseball coach.    

Using the resources available on this site, Coach Kretz took over Rio Hondo High School that had averaged less than 4 wins a year and in his first year went 10-10 and the next three years won 20+ using these progression of drills.  

At Harlingen, he revived a program that finished last the year before.  In his first year won District and won 20+ the next 2 years. 

At both stops he claimed numerous Coach of the Year Awards, published in Texas Coach as well as national Baseball Digest, he has also talked at local clinics.

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