Originally Posted by Stats4Gnats:
Originally Posted by JMoff:
I don't know about the reaches on WP part of this. I think I'd go with reached on FC. It's a force play with a dropped third strike. To me, this isn't any different than a ground ball to short and a flip to second, FC for the batter. The catcher 'could've' thrown to first and there would clearly be no WP in this case (as well as no SB or whatever).
Well, I won’t argue, but I will “discuss”. 
I was thinking of R1 being lazy/sloppy, and the catcher not able to get the batter so he threw to 2nd. But I suppose the batter reaching on an FC is ok.
I also wouldn't ding him with a SBA or a CS if he was going on the pitch. Just like the ground ball to short example, he was forced out not thrown out stealing. You don't score SBA & CS on a one hopper to short and force out at second with runner going.
Now that one I’ve got to think about a bit.
If he’d taken off such that had the pitch been called a ball and he’d have been given an SB, why not pop him if he’d gotten caught and the pitch wasn’t a ball?
Same reason you don't pop him if he is going on the pitch with a batter putting the ball in play, but it is a very unique case that I'm not sure I've ever actually seen or thought about.
The more common FC on the dropped third strike is when the bases are loaded with two outs and the catcher simply steps on the plate to complete the force out. I score FC for the advance of the batter and other runners.
Yes, I’ll go along with that. Now consider if the runner was on 2nd and not 1st. Now there’s no force.
I know its all a reach, but its what I came across when looking at possibilities for my program. Besides, it keeps the mind sharp. 
I like the idea of keeping the mind sharp and enjoy these little exercises. Hopefully everyone else lurking \ participating here does as well.
If the runner is at second and takes off with the pitch and is thrown out at third, he's out stealing (SBA & CS). If he isn't going on the pitch, but attempts to advance on the dropped third strike I have no caught stealing (per Rule 10.07(h) Comment: In those instances where a pitched ball eludes the catcher and the runner is put out trying to advance, the official scorer shall not charge any caught stealing).
Per the question of getting thrown out at second while attempting to steal on a dropped third strike, you have a point. I'm thinking of the case where the runner goes, ball is short hopped and catcher throws down to second and nabs the runner (kind of on auto pilot). On that one I might call caught stealing if the tag is applied as a stolen base play. If the SS forces him, I don't think I can call CS but it's an interesting call that I don't think I've ever seen. I still wouldn't go WP for hitter, who is probably leaning over the plate trying to obstruct the catcher and not running to first. Would be interesting if the R1 is safe and they throw to first to force batter. What then? SB but K 2-6-3?
