Chad

It was quite comical and surprising to watch. I was the first base coach at the time. The BR was running full out trying to make it safely to first, with no idea the ball was coming. Unfortunately the home plate umpire immediately called the BR out due to the contact with the ball, and had no interest in discussing the ruling further.

I witnessed a case where a dropped third strike hit hard off the backstop bounced back down the first base line and struck the batter in the back of the leg while running toward first base, well out of the batters box if it matters. What should the ruling be?