(Calhoun then scored when Verlanders next pitch to Andrelton Simmons was swatted over the left-center-field wall but Verlander and the Astros went on to win, anyway.). .mHQYb header.mlb-header .mlb-header__login-menu{border-color:#057AFF;}/*!sc*/ It remains a de facto defibrillator capable of resuscitating strikeout victims.\n\nIt is, perhaps, the oldest surviving rule, and its an odd rule, Thorn said. .mHQYb .p-search__form svg{width:16px !important;height:16px !important;}/*!sc*/ Weeks later, when asked how it felt to become the first pitcher to join the 3K Club on a wild pitch that allowed the batter to board, Verlander laughed. data-styled.g141[id="sharestyle__Wrapper-sc-9nfkvu-1"]{content:"blUWSx,"}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__logo{-webkit-flex:0 1 auto;-ms-flex:0 1 auto;flex:0 1 auto;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;text-align:left;height:56px;padding:0 16px 0 0;}/*!sc*/ .fFwXhn{margin:0;}/*!sc*/ Because of the close proximity of the pitcher to the ball, most times, that third swing and miss did indeed result in an out. And then its Ugh!. How a Smart Baserunner Can Exploit the Basepath Rules, MLB Postseason Riddled with Rules Controversies, Rodger Clemens explains his Pitching Delivery, First Baseman Positioning with Runner on Base. .mHQYb .p-search__list--multiple-type .p-search-item--team + .p-search-item--player.p-search-item--es:before{content:'Jugadores';}/*!sc*/ Only if an umpire judges that the .hHLkAw input::-webkit-search-decoration,.hHLkAw input::-webkit-search-cancel-button,.hHLkAw input::-webkit-search-results-button,.hHLkAw input::-webkit-search-results-decoration{display:none;}/*!sc*/ Diving over a fielder is illegal. The Knickerbockers clung to the GutsMuths principle even as so much about the sport was changing.\n\nUltimately, when further alterations were made in 1879 to eliminate outs on one-bounce catches of foul balls, the one-bounce catches of third strikes for outs were eliminated, as well. @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-bold.woff2') format('woff2'), url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-bold.woff') format('woff');font-weight:700;font-style:normal;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .icon{display:inline-block;-webkit-align-self:center;-ms-flex-item-align:center;align-self:center;line-height:20px;}/*!sc*/ .blUWSx .share-button__close{top:6px;left:5px;}/*!sc*/ hr{box-sizing:content-box;height:0;overflow:visible;}/*!sc*/ This rule applies when first base is open, or if there are two outs. On a dropped third strike, when would you be able to run? A runner may slide in a direction away from the fielder to avoid making contact or altering the play of the fielder. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-items{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;padding-top:2px;}/*!sc*/ article ul,article ol{padding:0;margin:0 0 0 2.5rem;}/*!sc*/ @media only screen and (min-width:568px){.kwDmpG{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-flex:1;-webkit-flex-grow:1;-ms-flex-positive:1;flex-grow:1;margin-right:8px;}}/*!sc*/ .fuMUTu path{fill:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ @media (min-width:768px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__content{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__group:not(:first-child){margin-left:16px;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__group.cols{-webkit-column-count:2;column-count:2;-webkit-column-gap:8px;column-gap:8px;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__item,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__group-title{width:100%;}}/*!sc*/ .fuMUTu{pointer-events:none;width:16px;height:16px;display:inline-block;overflow:visible;fill:#ffffff;stroke:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ The oft-overlooked Orval Overall even did it in a World Series game, in 1908.\n\nSo overall (and Overall), the dropped third strike rule has given us some great trivia even if some of those involved dont even realize it.\n\nUtility man Gerardo Parra, for instance, had no idea that, until he signed with a Japanese team last offseason, he was the active Major Leaguer who had reached safely on the dropped third strike more than any other (10 times), according to the Elias Sports Bureau.\n\nThats a good note for me! he said when informed. No runner may be forced out if a runner who follows him in the batting order is first put out (including a batter-runner who is out for an infield fly). .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__item,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__group-title{display:block;padding:10px;width:100%;-webkit-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid;word-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;}/*!sc*/ .eJdqRG a:hover{color:#0048AB;}/*!sc*/ Continuous Appeal Discussion with Ted Barrett and Chris Welsh. .gkgVOa{display:inline-block;width:100%;height:auto;position:relative;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button.locale,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button.search{display:none;}/*!sc*/ @media screen and (min-width:1024px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item--inner:hover a,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item--inner:hover span{color:#ffffff;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item--inner:hover .p-icon *{fill:#ffffff;}}/*!sc*/ Dropped first strikes probably arent coming to a Major League ballpark near you. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--spotlight:hover .header__nav-top__nav-item__text{color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ And on the third swing, the ball was considered in play, whether the batter made contact or not.\n\nIn the 1790s, said John Thorn, MLBs official historian, they had the right idea that strikeouts are boring.\n\nWith the ball in play even after a third swing and miss, the pitcher could retrieve it and throw it at the batter-turned-runner to try to get the out. .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__button-menu--icon span:nth-child(1),.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__button-menu--icon span:nth-child(4){opacity:0;}/*!sc*/ If a retired runner interferes, and in the judgment of the umpire, another runner could have been put out, the umpire shall declare that runner out. @media (min-width:768px){h1.Styles__HeadlineContainer-sc-19rm04l-0{font-size:2.488rem;}h2.Styles__HeadlineContainer-sc-19rm04l-0{font-size:1.44rem;}}/*!sc*/ See specific rule sections for action to . .fAmXvR{background:#f3f3f3;border-radius:6px;color:#444444;font-family:"proxima-nova","open Sans","Helvetica","Arial",sans-serif;font-weight:500;padding:16px 16px 24px;}/*!sc*/ sup{top:-0.5em;}/*!sc*/ WebNo dropped third strike rule. .eJdqRG a{color:#057AFF;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g165[id="Styles__AspectRatioContent-sc-1t1lmmv-1"]{content:"fvEQJr,"}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g101[id="styles__SearchWidgetButton-sc-1vorjk3-1"]{content:"cwEpxl,"}/*!sc*/ .hHLkAw{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;position:relative;}/*!sc*/ With a runner on first, a skilled catcher could muff the catch of a third strike and throw the ball to second to initiate a double play. 0. @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-semibold-italic.woff2') format('woff2'),url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-semibold-italic.woff') format('woff');font-weight:600;font-style:italic;font-display:fallback;}/*!sc*/ No longer could wily catchers try to get free outs. Three strikes youre out unless the ball is not caught and first base is unoccupied or is occupied with two out at the old ballgame!. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item__link .icon__nav-item{margin-right:5px;width:10px;height:15px;-webkit-flex-shrink:0;-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0;}/*!sc*/ .ebrWqN:-moz-loading{color:#f3f3f3;}/*!sc*/ Theyve been dealing with it since they were kids, so the idea that a batter can reach first even when striking out is fully ingrained. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--spotlight{background-color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ .hspSPq:hover svg{fill:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ The story of this seemingly random rule begins not with Abner Doubleday or Henry Chadwick or Alexander Cartwright or any of the other stateside souls rightly, wrongly or debatably heralded as baseball pioneers. as a runner or retired runner, fails to execute a legal slide, or does not attempt to avoid the fielder or the play on a force play at any base; or, intentionally interferes with a throw or a thrown ball; or he hinders a fielder on his initial attempt to field a batted ball. Nobody is seriously questioning whether the rule ought to exist. .koKsQt{font-weight:600;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button.account{-webkit-box-pack:end;-webkit-justify-content:flex-end;-ms-flex-pack:end;justify-content:flex-end;padding:0 0 0 4px;white-space:nowrap;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;}/*!sc*/ If the receiver caught it on the fly or on one bounce, the batter was out. \n","providerName":"Twitter","providerUrl":"https://twitter.com","type":"rich","width":550},"type":"oembed"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"That, Nationals catcher Yan Gomes said, is a cheap way of getting to first.\n\nDropped first strikes probably arent coming to a Major League ballpark near you. [type="number"]::-webkit-inner-spin-button,[type="number"]::-webkit-outer-spin-button{height:auto;}/*!sc*/ Here's the crucial difference between ball mit freystten and the game we know and love: There were no walks or strikeouts. .ggWmAj .sticky-header__share button{font-weight:600;}/*!sc*/ .blUWSx .share-list{position:absolute;list-style:none;margin:0;margin-left:2px;padding:0;margin-top:3px;margin-right:10px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .p-search-item__container{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:50px;border-top:0;min-width:250px;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g154[id="newsletterLogostyle__NewsletterLogoContainer-sc-j5dgcz-0"]{content:"bZhBFV,"}/*!sc*/ WebWhat is the dropped third strike rule? body{margin:0;}/*!sc*/ .evGxub{display:inline-block;width:48px;height:48px;border-radius:50%;-webkit-border-radius:50%;overflow:hidden;position:relative;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-top__nav-items{display:none;}/*!sc*/ .groqnz .ad-body-container .ad-body-inner-container::before{color:#dddddd;content:"ADVERTISEMENT";display:block;font-family:"proxima-nova","open Sans","Helvetica","Arial",sans-serif;font-size:0.694rem;line-height:13px;position:absolute;top:17px;text-align:center;width:100%;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__main-nav .scroll-buffer,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__subnav .scroll-buffer{padding-bottom:200px;}/*!sc*/ @media (min-width:768px){.epHHrr{max-width:500px;}}/*!sc*/ a third strike is caught by the catcher; or the third strike is not caught with first base occupied and there are less than two outs (2-16-2); after a dropped third strike (see8-4-1e) or a fair hit, if the ball held by any fielder touches the batter before the batter touches first base; or if any fielder, while holding the ball in his grasp, touches first base or touches first base with the ball before the batter-runner touches first base: or, he runs outside the three-foot running lane (last half of the distance from home plate to first base), while the ball is being fielded or thrown to first base; or.