Expert: John McInnis - 3/22/2011

Question
in our league (12 and under) a batter can attempt to run to 1st if the catcher drops the 3rd strike.

if the catcher drops the 3rd strike and the bases are loaded, is it a force and the run scores automatically?  do they play it as if there were no one on base?

Answer
Hi Melissa,

this is called the uncaught third strike rule:

is applied if no runner on first base or two outs with runner on first.
More specifically:

On an uncaught third strike with no runner on first base (or with two outs, regardless of whether there is a runner on first), the batter immediately becomes a runner. The strike is called, but the umpire does not call the batter out. The umpire may also actively signal that there is "no catch" of the pitch. The batter may then attempt to reach first base, and must be tagged or thrown out.

Note that if, at the time of the strike three pitch, first base is occupied with fewer than two outs, the batter is automatically out and cannot become a runner. This is to prevent the defense from deliberately dropping a third strike pitch and getting a double or triple play as a result, because of the possible force play at second, third base, or home plate in this situation.

Hope this helps,
JohnMc