BASEBALL RULES QUESTION

[CaliCuse]

What is the reasoning for allowing a batter who swings and misses a strike three to go to first base if the ball gets away from the catcher. I 've tried to come up with some reasoning for this which to me is stupid. Its nothing like the infield fly rule which does have a solid reasoning to justify its place in the game.Thank you guys for enlightening me is you have the time.

 

['72 Orange]

Obviously baseball players in the field can only record an out by either catching a ball or tagging a player with the ball. To me a dropped third strike by the catcher is similar to the first baseman dropping a throw by the infielder.

The throw to first beats the runner but does not count unless the first baseman catches it. Similarly the pitch to the batter beats him if he swings and misses but it does not count unless the catcher catches it. What complicates the rule is that first base must be vacant for the batter to run.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Well, an out can be recorded if a batted ball hits a base runner, while the batter is created with a hit, the runner is out. (I think to put out goes to the nearest fielder) The dropped third stike is also in play when tehre ar 2 outs, regardless if 1st base is occupied. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncaught_third_strike