2 outs bases loaded dropped third strike

[Guest EdS]

When a catcher drops a third strike and first base is open, he can throw the ball to the first baseman who can step on the bag for the out.  When the bases are loaded and the catcher drops the third strike, can he retrieve the ball and step on home plate for the out, or does he have to wait and tag the runner coming in from third base?

[maven]

R3 is forced to advance home by the BR's advance. F2 may tag the runner or the base to record the force out. Same ruling in all codes.

[isired]

Yes, he can just get the ball and step on home plate. That is what you instruct him to do, as a coach, on a simple drop where the batter takes off.

[grayhawk]

Not only can he step on home plate for the force out, he can do so accidentally.  For example, if F2 is throwing to first to get the BR and steps on the plate in the process, then just call R3 out.  If the throw is poor, you're still out of the inning!

[maven]

7 hours ago, grayhawk said:

Not only can he step on home plate for the force out, he can do so accidentally.  For example, if F2 is throwing to first to get the BR and steps on the plate in the process, then just call R3 out.  If the throw is poor, you're still out of the inning!

Yep. Appeals may not be accidental. Tags can be.

[lawump]

4 hours ago, maven said:

Yep. Appeals may not be accidental. Tags can be.

I'm waiting for someone to post, "but grayhawk's situation didn't involve a 'tag'!"

[maven]

10 hours ago, lawump said:

I'm waiting for someone to post, "but grayhawk's situation didn't involve a 'tag'!"

Me too. I am often lexically provocative.