Mike Fincher

Velho: After the conference, the home plate umpire told both coaches it was a catch, not a dropped 3rd strike and that the runner from 3rd would remain scored. After the swing, the batter took a few steps toward first base and stopped. The base Coach realized the HP umpire indicated a dropped 3rd strike, and yelled at batter to run which he did. Most of the info I have gathered from people I consider knowledgeable on MLB rules have indicated that the umpire’s mechanics were not the best. They have indicated that when the catcher had control of the ball after cleanly catching strike three, and the runner at third was not making an attempt to advance home, the HP umpire placed the defense in an adverse situation by his ruling. It was indicated that the proper ruling would have been to confirm the clear catch of the catcher as strike three and to return the runner to third. Agree/ Disagree?

One out, runner on third, one ball and two strikes on batter. Pitch is low and outside, the batter swings and catcher clearly catches the ball without it touching the ground. After catching the ball, the catcher takes 3 steps in front of home plate. All runners are stopped. The batter takes 2 steps toward first base and stops. The home plate umpire signals safe and indicates the previously pitched ball was dropped by the catcher. The catcher throws to first and the batter is retired. The runner on third scored on the throw to first. The home plate umpire and the base umpires confer. They indicate the ball was caught by the catcher and the umpire was incorrect in his signaling safe and should be scored as a strike out, not a dropped 3rd strike put out. They did not bring the runner that scored back to third, allowing the run to score. How do you handle this situation?