3rd strike not caught

RPD100+ posts

What is proper protocol for the umpires in this situation:

- No outs, 1B unoccupied, 2 strikes on the batter
- pitch comes, batter checks his swing, catcher drops the ball
- PU isn't sure if batter went around or not
- PU says nothing and looks to BU for help. Nothing is verbalized.
- Batter is now left wondering if he should run to 1st or not.
(Batter doesn't think he swung, so he doesn't want to run to 1st making it look like he did).

My question for the experienced umps: who's supposed to say what in this situation in order that the batter knows what he should do?

7/15/072:15 AM

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pilsner500+ posts

RPD,
If the catcher requests or if the plate ump isn't sure he should immediately point to his partner with his left hand (the right hand gives the impression of a strike call) and say loudly: "Did he swing"? or "Did he go"? His partner can then indicate swing or no swing and the confusion can be avoided.

7/15/0711:17 AM

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LonBlue67100+ posts

the proper protocol is for the PU to call the pitch. If not struck its either a strike or a ball, so theres no confusion for the batter.

i dont get the question, really, because what PU would not make a call on such a pitch?

in any case there is no penalty for the batter to run to First, so why not run?

pilsner is exactly right, but for his scenario to play out, the PU must have called it a ball.

7/15/0711:15 PM

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pilsner500+ posts

Lon,

Sorry if I mislead. Based on the info given I assumed (yeah, I know) that the pitch was not a called strike. If it was there would be no appeal to the base ump for help.

7/16/079:34 AM

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