Non swinging 3rd strike passed ball?

A 3rd strike is a 3rd strike. There is no distinction between swinging and non-swinging as far as I know. If 1st base isn't occupied or if there are 2 outs,and the catcher drops the ball, the batter can certainly run to 1st.

OBR 6.09(b): The batter becomes a runner when the third strike called by the umpire is not caught, providing (1) first base is unoccupied, or (2) first base is occupied with two out.

It doesn't matter if there is a swing or not. Also, the catcher doesn't have to "drop" the ball. It just has to be an "uncaught" third strike. This is a subtle difference that confuses some people.

Thank you, TP and Yakyu. Had never seen that happen in all my years of playing or watching games. There is always a first for everything I guess. Thanks again.

quote:

Originally posted by Freakpop:
Thank you, TP and Yakyu. Had never seen that happen in all my years of playing or watching games. There is always a first for everything I guess. Thanks again.

surprising......to say the least....this is a common every day occurence in baseball

If the pitch bounces in the dirt on strike 3 before being caught by the catcher, is this the same as a dropped pitch on strike 3?

quote:

Originally posted by StatManLV:
If the pitch bounces in the dirt on strike 3 before being caught by the catcher, is this the same as a dropped pitch on strike 3?

Yes. The ball has to go from F1's hand to F2's hand without touching the ground. If it touches the ground, it is an uncaught third strike and the batter may be able to run.

This is a basic way to look at it without getting into some of the nit picky issues related to uncaught 3rd strikes such as 'if F2 drops it on the transfer'.