<acronym title='Dropped third strike'>D3K</acronym> ? Southern League

[bpate]

Hey guys,

I was watching a Minor League - Southern League game (Tennessee Smokies vs Montgomery Biscuits) on Sat and saw a strange play.

R1, R2 0 outs.

Strike 3 to batter is dropped and BR takes off for first. R2 heads for third.

Umpire jumps out from behind home plate and kills the play.

Calls BR out on strikes and sends R2 back to second.

Was very authoritative. No one said a word.

My question: Is it appropriate to kill this to avoid the train wreck? Did I miss something like interference on the BR?

[JaxRolo]

As described I see a screw up by PU

[umpcoachfather]

yep - both teams need to be aware. Most kids are coached to run to 1st even if they can't just to draw a possible bad throw.

[bpate]

This was minor league ball. I belive AAA. I must have missed something else that transpired.

[Welpe]

Southern League is Double A and even MLB umpires make mistakes or rulings that seem to go against rule and interpretation from time to time. That is of course assuming you didn't miss anything or the PU had something that wasn't obvious.

[Stan W.]

as described, as jax says, that's a screw up...........some might call that preventive umpiring in the youngster leagues, but in games where the players shave, thats a no-no....everyone is supposed to, and resonsible to know, the situation at hand.....did the defensive manager come unglued?

[bpate]

No discussion at all from anyone. He must'a had something else in addition. I was too far down the line to hear what he said. Would BI with the catcher send a runner back to 2nd in this situation? Seems like that would call for a 2nd out instead of a return of the runner.

[Welpe]

If the umpire judges there was interference without a play then the ball would be dead and runners returned but I'm not sure that's what happened there.

[UmpJM]

The most likely explanation is a backswing/follow through interference that wasn't obvious to the spectators.

JM

[Thunderheads]

The most likely explanation is a backswing/follow through interference that wasn't obvious to the spectators.

JM

:meditation:

[johnnyg08]

The most likely explanation is a backswing/follow through interference that wasn't obvious to the spectators.

JM

I would agree with this. That would make sense.

[bpate]

:notworthy: :notworthy:

[TNCoach]

My original thought was it may have been swinging strike that hit hitter's foot or something.