Expert: Dennis Girardi - 5/10/2007

Question
I was coaching a little league game last night when a weird call happened.  A passed ball took place then the runner on third came home and touched home plate and was actually past the plate about 5 steps when the catcher threw the ball right at the batter and hit him in the back.  The batter was out of the batters box but was between the catcher and the pitcher at the plate.  The umpire called the batter out and sent the runner back to third.  Is this right?  I could not remember this rule. Remember that the runner had already crossed the plate.

Answer
Hey Troy,

I don't know if I have enough information..
I am gonna assume that there IS a "drop-third-strike" rule in your league, right?
If this is the case, then I am also assuming that the batter, who was running to first base was NOT in the baseline box, which is the box, (probably not chalked off), outside of the foul line.  It is about 2 feet wide, and runs along the first base line in foul territory.  If he was running inside that box, then he should not have been called out, and the run counts.  This is where the batter is told to run, on a play like this or on a bunted ball.  Now on the other hand, if he was running inside the foul
line and in fair territory, then he was NOT in that box and interfered with the throw from the catcher, then the right call is "OUT" because of interference on the batter.  If he was called out because of the interference, then it does not make a difference if the runner from third crosses the plate or not. The runner goes back to third base.
If there is NO "drop-third-strike" in your league, then the run counts cause the catcher threw the ball for nothing.
One thing confuses me.  You said that the "The batter was out of the batters box, but was between the catcher and the pitcher at the plate."  Now I am starting to think that there was no "drop-third-strike" involved at all.  If
not, the run SHOULD have counted because once the runner crosses the plate, then he scored.  The catcher was just throwing the ball to the pitcher so he can make the next pitch, right?  Or was he trying to throw the ball to the
pitcher to get  him out at the plate?
Confused Dennis