Dropped 3rd Strike

[JDavis225]

 In a collegiate summer league game last night there were two catchers regarding the dropped  3rd strike rule. The first was with bases loaded, F2: "Dropped 3rd strike I can just touch home plate right?" and the second showed just how little players actually know about rules of the game they play, "On a dropped 3rd strike if he swings, can he run?" That second one baffled me because I figured if you're catching in college you should know that.  In reference to the first question I may be thinking too hard but the NCAA rule actually states that a batter is out when "after a third strike not caught or after the player hits a fair ball, the individual or first base is tagged before reaching that base." Therefore on a dropped third strike, is the batter really out if the catcher touches home? I know it's being picky because the runner from third becomes forced once the batter takes off for first. Thoughts? 
 

[UmpJeff]

Assuming 2 are out, the answer to your first question "The first was with bases loaded, F2: "Dropped 3rd strike I can just touch home plate right?" is, yes.  F2 can simply touch the plate for the force out.

"On a dropped 3rd strike if he swings, can he run?"  You're right.  A collegiate F2 should know this.  Heck, a 10U F2 should know this.

Edited July 22, 2015 by UmpJeff

[Mizzou2016]

Assuming two are out of course -

In the scenario with the bases loaded, no the batter is not out if the catcher touches home. But R3 is.

[noumpere]

 In reference to the first question I may be thinking too hard but the NCAA rule actually states that a batter is out when "after a third strike not caught or after the player hits a fair ball, the individual or first base is tagged before reaching that base." Therefore on a dropped third strike, is the batter really out if the catcher touches home? I know it's being picky because the runner from third becomes forced once the batter takes off for first. Thoughts? 
 

First base wasn't tagged, the plate was tagged.  So the rule you cited doesn't apply.  R3 is out.

[maven]

Well, you have to admit that it is a weird, and weirdly complicated, rule. Unless you knew that at one time the batter could ALWAYS try to run to 1B after strike 3, caught or uncaught, one might wonder what was going on. Then you've got the exception and the exception to the exception: F2 is usually the smartest player on the team, but still!

[LMSANS]

And what if the last umpire they worked with was the ultimate smitty and did make the right call?  Or they may be trying to develop a relationship with the umpire.  Or they could be the stupidest catchers in college ball

Players worry about skills and mechanics of their position.  Rules are absorbed through experience.

give a catcher a break.