What happens after a dropped third strike if the runner starts heading back to the dugout? .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-side .header__subnav__item,.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-side .header__subnav__group-title{padding:14px 10px;}/*!sc*/ code,kbd,samp{font-family:monospace,monospace;font-size:1em;}/*!sc*/ details{display:block;}/*!sc*/ If the receiver did not catch it (a stronger possibility than now, given that the catcher had no mitt or protective equipment), the batter could attempt to run to first base safely.\n\nThings got a little confusing in the 1860s. @media (min-width:1024px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top{padding:0 32px;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-container{width:auto;min-width:50vw;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:56px;overflow:hidden;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header 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Does this Runner Go Out of the Baseline to Avoid a Tag? WebThe batter may only advance to first base on a dropped third strike. data-styled.g172[id="Styles__AppContainer-jwcsl0-0"]{content:"hUHmCp,"}/*!sc*/. button,[type="button"],[type="reset"],[type="submit"]{-webkit-appearance:button;}/*!sc*/ .ebrWqN:-moz-loading{color:#f3f3f3;}/*!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*/ Nobody is seriously questioning whether the rule ought to exist. .blLcNM{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(12,1fr);grid-gap:24px;font-size:1rem;}/*!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-side__nav-items{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;padding-top:2px;}/*!sc*/ @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-regular-italic.woff2') format('woff2'),url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-regular-italic.woff') format('woff');font-weight:400;font-style:italic;font-display:fallback;}/*!sc*/ The action of a fielder in touching a base with any part of the body while holding the ball securely and firmly in the hand or glove or touching a runner with the . sub,sup{font-size:75%;line-height:0;position:relative;vertical-align:baseline;}/*!sc*/ Especially these days. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav{border-top:solid 4px #057AFF;}/*!sc*/ .huJzbO{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;}/*!sc*/ .hpFxqr{line-height:1.1;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header{width:100%;font-family:'proxima-nova','mlb-primary','Helvetica Neue', 'Helvetica','Arial',sans-serif;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-size:14px;font-weight:500;line-height:15px;color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--spotlight:hover .header__nav-top__nav-item__text{color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ .ihHuHi{font-size:19px;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:8px;}/*!sc*/ legend{box-sizing:border-box;color:inherit;display:table;max-width:100%;padding:0;white-space:normal;}/*!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*/ And does our continued acceptance of this purposeless precedent qualify as an unhealthy marriage to tradition?\n\nOK, there are certainly bigger issues in ball and in life. 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? .eJdqRG a{color:#057AFF;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}/*!sc*/ @media only screen and (min-width:568px){.hYmwpY{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;}}/*!sc*/ To them, the dropped third strike is a bit of a gut punch. does not legally slide and causes illegal contact and/or illegally alters the actions of a fielder in the immediate act of making a play, or on a force play, does not slide in a direct line between the bases; or. .blUWSx .share-button__link--message-icon{width:10px;margin-right:5px;}/*!sc*/ No pitcher shall wear white long sleeves, nor shall his glove or any other part of his uniform be unnecessarily distracting. .hspSPq svg path{fill:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ I like that!. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top .icon,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top .p-icon *{fill:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ The dropped third strike rule happens in baseball when a hitter strikes out, yet the catcher cant catch the pitch in the air. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__url-logo img{height:30px;}/*!sc*/ (2-32-1, 2) Jumping, hurdling, and leaping are all legal attempts to avoid a fielder as long as the fielder is lying on the ground. Andrew McCutchen Called Out of the BaselineWhat? Anytime first base is unoccupied, or there are two outs, and the third strike is not caught, the batter-runner is entitled to advance. .blLcNM .content{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;grid-column:1 / span 12;}/*!sc*/