Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site watmath.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!csc
From: csc@watmath.UUCP (Computer Sci Club)
Newsgroups: net.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: dropped third strike
Message-ID: <14685@watmath.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 27-May-85 17:08:40 EDT
Article-I.D.: watmath.14685
Posted: Mon May 27 17:08:40 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 29-May-85 01:36:20 EDT
References: <2301@decwrl.UUCP>
Reply-To: csc@watmath.UUCP (Computer Sci Club)
Organization: U of Waterloo, Ontario
Lines: 29

In article <2301@decwrl.UUCP> ryan@cloud9.DEC (Mike Ryan) writes:
>
>Hmmm, that gives me an idea.  Suppose a hitter (say one without a great deal
>of confidence) is behind the count 0-2 in the bottom of the ninth with his
>team behind by one run, so it's imperative that he reach base.  The pitcher
>loses control of the ball and it sails far beyond reach of either the batter
>or catcher.  The batter could swing at the ball, striking out, and take off
>for first.  If he beats the throw, he's reached base by striking out
>intentionally!
>
>Mike Ryan

Two questions:  1) what is the (is there a) rule about when a swing of the
bat is no longer a strike?  Say in the example above, the ball has already
reached the wall behind the catcher.  Can the batter swing and strike out
or is it too late?

2) Where|how|under what circumstances did this rule evolve?  Most "oddball"
rules have some play associated with them that caused the rule to come
about.   (as in the batter's circle example)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gilles Dignard				Space People think factories are
University of Waterloo				musical instruments.
Waterloo, Ontario			They sing along with them.
					Each song lasts from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
					No music on weekends.
						David Byrne
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------