Dropped 3rd Strike - 2 outs

The batter was out when the PU declared "Batter Out"  at that time the PU has determined that it was a caught ball.   As a mechanical habit, I was taught to call dropped third stikes the same as strike 1 or 2.  That only if you deem it caught that you add an emphasis at the end to indicate the out is made. This is a verbal cue to the batter and fielder that the ball is still live and no out has been made.   I was also taught (FED) that the batter is out when they leave the dirt circle if no play has been made on him by the fielder.  The FED rule actually allows more leeway... 8-4-1-i  "The batter - runner is out when.. on a dropped third strike, he gives up by entering the bench or dugout area, or with two outs he does not attempt to reach first base before all infielders leave the diamond at the end of the half inning". 

I've seen this before last year. HS umpire called the same thing. Ump called the batter out immediately. As your assistant looked up, with 2 outs batter/runners may advance to 1st on a D3, regardless of whether 1st base is occupied.

The runner is out automatically when they leave the circle around homeplate. If the kid was within the baseline lane but out of the circle, he was still able to advance. He could run/walk/crawl/stand still/dance, up and down the baseline. Until he's tagged or forced out, causes interference OR leaves the field out of the HP circle area, he was able to advance.

The call was blown.

NewUmpire/mj 8, can either of you post the rule(s) that states the runner is out when they leave the dirt circle?

 

NewUmpire, your post is contradictory as you say you were taught (FED) but quaoted a FED rule that doesn't agree with what you were taught.....

 

Not trying to nit pic but I have seen this called different ways and am looking for the correct call that enforces the written rule(s).

 

Also, I do not see anywhere in the OP how many outs there were.

It is my understanding...If there are less then two outs, the batter is out because 1st is occupied. He can run but the catcher doesn't have to make a throw to first. The runners can advance at their own risk. It is up to the defense to know the situation and the ump shouldn't have say anything after the initail call. If there are two outs, the batter can run to first even if it is occupied. The runners must advance and the catcher must put one of them out. I was always told the batter does not give up his right to go to first until he crosses into the dugout or the defense leaves the field.

 

I probably didn't say that in all the correct umpire speak so please correct where wrong. I would love to know what the different rule sets have to say on this....

 

Thanks!

The rule states that the batter/runner is not out untill tagged or put out... He crosses into benc or dugout. Or if infielders leave diamond before he attempts to run.   There were more than a few instances in our training where the teachings contradicted the rule.  That is one reason i follow this forum.   Getting the feedback from more experienced umps will hopefully make me better.

If the PU calls him out, he's out.  You can't unring that bell.

 

In situations where the batter becomes a runner (entitled to advance on the uncaught 3rd strike), the mechanic is to call the strike normally - point/hammer the swing or ring up the backwards K - followed by a verbal "no catch" and a visual safe sign.

 

The batter is out for desertion when he: leaves the dirt circle (OBR) or reaches the dugout area (FED).

Agreed with all of this and will add that in FED if the umpires decision is reversed in error that the umpire can "make it right" so for example if the ball was ratling around at the backstop and the umpire thought the batter would have reached first then the umpire can give him first.

 

So much of newumpires first post seems wrong or contradictory but its been a bad morning already so maybe Im just not reading it clearly.

As stated in the posting title, there were 2 outs when this incident happened.  Anything less, with 1B occupied and I would not have told B/R he could run.

 

Interesting about the defense leaving the field!  During this whole fiasco, the D was running off the field, and would have made the point moot before B/R could have reached 1B anyway.

 

Thanks for all your help gentlemen!

Sorry about not catching that in the title gcimatt.... I just caught the first part and started reading.....

 

To everyone else, thanks for clearing it up!