.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav--teams__team--logo{height:24px;width:24px;padding:2px 2px 2px 0;margin-right:2px;display:inline-block;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-top{height:56px;}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g160[id="newsletterOptinstyle__InputWrapper-sc-d7sh2p-5"]{content:"hYmwpY,"}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g22[id="imagestyle__Placeholder-sc-xw1tzz-3"]{content:"jehbss,"}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .p-search-item__image-thumbnail--team{margin:0 auto 0 0.25rem;height:40px;width:45px;}/*!sc*/ progress{vertical-align:baseline;}/*!sc*/ .bZhBFV{margin:0 auto 16px;}/*!sc*/ .hspSPq .buttonstyle__Label-sc-vlv7w5-0{font-family:"proxima-nova","open Sans","Helvetica","Arial",sans-serif;}/*!sc*/ article ul,article ol{padding:0;margin:0 0 0 2.5rem;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--spotlight .header__nav-top__nav-item__text{color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button.account--logged-in.active::after{opacity:1;}/*!sc*/ If a runner is hit by an infield fly when he is not touching his base, both he and the batter are out. But batters could still occasionally get free trips to first.\n\nAll these years later, the dropped third strike rule still has not been dropped. Out or Safe? , The Official Scorer shall credit a stolen base to a runner whenever the runner advances one base unaided by a hit, a putout, an error, a force-out, a fielders choice, a passed ball, a wild , If a declared Infield Fly is allowed to fall untouched to the ground, and bounces foul before passing first or third base, it is a foul ball. No, according to an essay by Richard Hershberger of the Society for American Baseball Research, the rule traces back to Johann Christoph Friedrich GutsMuths, a German teacher and physical education advocate. data-styled.g10[id="buttonstyle__Label-sc-vlv7w5-0"]{content:"iwXciG,"}/*!sc*/ [hidden]{display:none;}/*!sc*/ But batters could still occasionally get free trips to first. .ebrWqN:-moz-loading{color:#f3f3f3;}/*!sc*/ @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-black-italic.woff2') format('woff2'),url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-black-italic.woff') format('woff');font-style:italic;font-weight:900;font-display:fallback;}/*!sc*/ .hHLkAw input[type='search']{height:32px;-webkit-appearance:none;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-container{-webkit-order:99;-ms-flex-order:99;order:99;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex:99 1 100%;-ms-flex:99 1 100%;flex:99 1 100%;width:100%;}/*!sc*/ But seriously, whats up with the dropped third strike rule? The batter-runner can still run to 1st base. SECTION 78. .jehbss{height:auto;width:100%;background-color:#F0F0F0;border-radius:8px;}/*!sc*/ [type="number"]::-webkit-inner-spin-button,[type="number"]::-webkit-outer-spin-button{height:auto;}/*!sc*/ Indeed, 88 pitchers -- from Ed Crane of the New York Giants in 1888 to Luke Bard of the Los Angeles Angels in April 2019 -- have turned that trick. @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-bold.woff2') format('woff2'), url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-bold.woff') format('woff');font-weight:700;font-style:normal;}/*!sc*/ Nobody is seriously questioning whether the rule ought to exist. .hspSPq:hover svg{fill:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g118[id="sc-global-iSmFBW1"]{content:"sc-global-iSmFBW1,"}/*!sc*/ header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open{position:fixed;top:0px;z-index:99992;}/*!sc*/ There shall be no accidental appeals on a force play. Because even in the midst of Verlander adding to his strikeout total, Angels fans had something to celebrate. You make the call. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item--inner::after{display:none;content:'';width:0;height:0;position:absolute;left:auto;right:-1px;top:33%;z-index:calc(99992 + 1);border-color:transparent #ffffff transparent transparent;border-style:solid;border-width:8px;}/*!sc*/ .drUhS path{fill:#000000;}/*!sc*/ .hspSPq{height:32px;padding-left:10px;padding-right:10px;font-size:13px;-webkit-transition:0.2s;transition:0.2s;border-radius:5px;font-weight:bold;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#057AFF;border:none;color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ Equipment must be kept in the dugout or away from the runners on the warned team will be called out after the first warning. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__button-menu{cursor:pointer;}/*!sc*/ If the runner at first base was making an attempt to steal second, is 1st base considered occupied or unoccupied, allowing the hitter to attempt to take first on a dropped call 3rd strike? Though considered a fair ball, third strikes were lumped in with foul balls, in that catchers could still catch the ball on one bounce for an out. In this situation, the batter is not out if the infielder permits the fair fly, fair line drive or fair bunt in flight to drop untouched to the ground, except when the infield fly rule (2-19-1) applies (5-1-1j). button,input{overflow:visible;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .p-search__status{left:-9999px;position:absolute;}/*!sc*/ Yet third strikes were still similar to fair balls in that the runner could advance if the ball went uncaught. A third strike was in play, essentially a fair ball. .mHQYb header.mlb-header[data-is-club] .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__tagline img,.mHQYb header.mlb-header[data-is-microsite] .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__tagline img{height:56px;max-width:512px;line-height:56px;}/*!sc*/ .eJdqRG p{margin-top:0;}/*!sc*/ .hHLkAw input::placeholder{color:#aaaaaa;}/*!sc*/ .iQELft{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .p-search__list{z-index:50;min-width:250px;border-radius:6px;-webkit-mask-image:-webkit-radial-gradient(#ffffff,#000000);}/*!sc*/ is touched by a live ball securely held by a fielder or is touched by a fielders glove or hand with the live ball held therein, while the runner is not touching his base. .ebrWqN{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0px;background-color:#f3f3f3;border-radius:50%;-webkit-border-radius:50%;}/*!sc*/ On a force-play slide with less than two outs, the runner is declared out, as well as the batter-runner. @media (max-width:1023px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-side__nav-items{font-size:14px;}}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__main-nav,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__subnav{height:100%;overflow-x:hidden;overflow-y:auto;overscroll-behavior:contain;touch-action:manipulation;-webkit-overflow-scrolling:touch;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .mlb-header__login-menu{background:#ffffff;border-top:solid 4px #002867;box-shadow:0 2px 4px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.2);box-shadow:6px 6px 15px -3px rgba(0,0,0,0.25);left:-99em;opacity:0;padding:10px;position:absolute;right:0;-webkit-transition:opacity 1ms ease 1ms;transition:opacity 1ms ease 1ms;width:160px;z-index:99992;}/*!sc*/ And then its Ugh!\n\nTheyve been dealing with it since they were kids, so the idea that a batter can reach first even when striking out is fully ingrained. b,strong{font-weight:bolder;}/*!sc*/ .kKeedG:hover{border-bottom:none;color:#0048AB;}/*!sc*/ .hUHmCp > article{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(12,minmax(0,1fr));grid-gap:24px;color:#000000;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__secondary-logos > *{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex:1 1 auto;-ms-flex:1 1 auto;flex:1 1 auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-box-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;justify-content:center;}/*!sc*/ @media (min-width:768px){.epHHrr.youtube iframe{width:500px;}}/*!sc*/ Expert Analysis , Most of the time when a runner is put out on the base paths, he turns and heads towards his dugout. (For a similar reason, the infield fly rule was enacted eight years later. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item__link{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;font-weight:700;-webkit-box-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;justify-content:center;padding:10px 12px;}/*!sc*/ In your situation, when the umpire called strike three, then the ball was dropped, the ball is .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--spotlight{background-color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ .hUHmCp > article .ad-top-right-container,.hUHmCp > article .ad-bottom-right-container{position:relative;margin-bottom:64px;min-height:250px;}/*!sc*/ Its lurking there, Thorn said. ","type":"markdown"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"**_\\* \\* \\*_ \\* ***","type":"markdown"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"The story of this seemingly random rule begins not with Abner Doubleday or Henry Chadwick or Alexander Cartwright or any of the other stateside souls rightly, wrongly or debatably heralded as baseball pioneers.\n\nNo, according to an essay by Richard Hershberger of the Society for American Baseball Research, the rule traces back to Johann Christoph Friedrich GutsMuths, a German teacher and physical education advocate.\n\nIn 1796, GutsMuths published the snappily titled \"Spiele zur Uebung und Erholung des Krpers und Geistes fr die Jugend, ihre Erzieher und alle Freunde Unschuldiger Jugendfreuden,\" which translates to Games for the exercise and relaxation of the body and mind for the youth, their educators and all friends of innocent joys of youth.\n\nGutsMuths was known as the grandfather of gymnastics, but this book of childrens games expanded to other endeavors, including Ball mit Freystten -- oder das Englische Base-ball (Ball with freestates -- or English Base-ball).\n\nThe game he describes might sound familiar. .dLQAwR{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;margin-right:8px;min-height:48px;margin-bottom:8px;padding-right:8px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--spotlight:hover .header__nav-top__nav-item__text{color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ If a retired runner interferes, and in the judgment of the umpire, another runner could have been put out, the umpire shall declare that runner out. .HQoYx{border:0;padding:0;text-align:center;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .icon{display:inline-block;-webkit-align-self:center;-ms-flex-item-align:center;align-self:center;line-height:20px;}/*!sc*/ .XOHMa{bottom:0;left:0;position:absolute;right:0;top:0;}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g101[id="styles__SearchWidgetButton-sc-1vorjk3-1"]{content:"cwEpxl,"}/*!sc*/ .groqnz.markdown.youtube,.groqnz.photo figcaption.youtube,.groqnz.oembed .social-embed.youtube{padding:0;}/*!sc*/ You make a pitch, you get the strike. NFHS POINTS OF EMPHASIS AND HOW TO FOLLOW THEM This Runner Goes Way Out of the Way, but is He Out of the Baseline? data-styled.g149[id="Styles__FigureCaption-iefwtj-1"]{content:"hpFxqr,"}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .p-search-item__image{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;margin-right:0.5rem;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;width:55px;}/*!sc*/ .ezZJVn:hover{cursor:pointer;}/*!sc*/ This Batter/Runner Thinks He is Out, But He's Really Safe. .dLQAwR a:hover{color:#0048AB;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__sponsor-url-logos > *{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:end;-webkit-justify-content:flex-end;-ms-flex-pack:end;justify-content:flex-end;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button:hover{cursor:pointer;}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g11[id="buttonstyle__StyledButton-sc-vlv7w5-1"]{content:"hspSPq,"}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header [class$='__nav-item__text'],.mHQYb header.mlb-header [class$='__nav-item__link'],.mHQYb header.mlb-header [class$='__button-text']{text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .p-search__input--icon.close-icon:hover{cursor:pointer;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--mobile-quick-nav .header__nav-top__nav-item--inner{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-pack:start;justify-content:flex-start;height:100%;}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g122[id="Styles__HeadlineContainer-sc-19rm04l-0"]{content:"dMKvOx,"}/*!sc*/ .groqnz .ad-body-container{border-color:#dddddd;border-style:solid;border-width:1px 0 1px 0;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;justify-content:center;margin:0 2%;min-height:343px;width:96%;}/*!sc*/ .hspSPq:hover svg path{fill:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .mlb-header__login-menu__link:hover{background-color:#e2e2e2;color:#002867;border-radius:3px;}/*!sc*/ .drUhS{pointer-events:none;width:100%;height:100%;display:inline-block;overflow:visible;fill:#000000;stroke:#000000;}/*!sc*/ code,kbd,samp{font-family:monospace,monospace;font-size:1em;}/*!sc*/ WebThe batter may only advance to first base on a dropped third strike. The Knickerbockers clung to the GutsMuths principle even as so much about the sport was changing. window.adobeAnalytics = {"reportingSuiteId":"mlbglobal08,mlbcom08","linkInternalFilters":"mlb"} @media (min-width:768px){.epHHrr{max-width:500px;}}/*!sc*/ Can a Runner Wave His Arms to Disrupt a Rundown? .eJdqRG a:hover{color:#0048AB;}/*!sc*/ Runners are never required to slide, but if a runner elects to slide, the slide must be legal.