Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/17/84; site mhuxl.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!mhuxl!ogre
From: ogre@mhuxl.UUCP (LO COCO)
Newsgroups: net.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: Strikeout (Catcher does not field third strike).
Message-ID: <242@mhuxl.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 3-Jun-85 08:27:01 EDT
Article-I.D.: mhuxl.242
Posted: Mon Jun  3 08:27:01 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 4-Jun-85 06:12:43 EDT
References: <2404@decwrl.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill
Lines: 30

> >> > 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!
> >> 
> >> I believe the rule says that the catcher must drop the ball in order for the 
> >> runner to be able to take off for first.  In this case, if the catcher doesn't
> >> touch the ball,  my guess is that the batter is out on strikes. 
> 
> >The only time that a batter cannot run to first on a third strike is
> >when there are less than two outs and first base is occupied.
> 
> Why not?  Can't the runner on first go to second and get a stolen base (or
> would that be scored as a wild pitch/passed ball)?
> 
> Mike Ryan
> ARPA:	ryan%fremen.DEC@DECWRL.ARPA
> UUCP:	{decvax,allegra,ihnp4,ucbvax,...}!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-fremen!ryan
> ENet:	{FREMEN,BCSENG,CLOUD9}::RYAN

	Again we go to the rulebook. With less than two outs, the rules do
	not allow the batter to advance in order to protect the runners; much
	like the infield fly rule. A shrewd catcher could bait a batter and
	obtain a double play without this rule. Yes, though, the runner can
	advance at his own risk; sounds like the infield fly rule again, huh?
-- 

				John B. Lo Coco
				(...mhuxl!ogre)
				(...szuxn!ogre)
				1-201-467-7436