First Lesson as a Catcher: Tag the Batter on a Third Strike! (Video)
Posted by: CalAggie in Japan, Sports, VideoOne of the rules in baseball that may not be obvious to casual baseball fans is that a batter can run to first if the catcher drops the third strike (i.e. the ball is not “legally caught”) and fails to tag him out when first base is open or when there are two outs. It still counts as a strikeout for the pitcher and the runner gets to stays on base if he reaches. (This has sometimes led to MLB pitchers getting four strikeouts in an inning.)
Well, during a tournament game between teams from Yokohama and Tokai, the Yokohama catcher dropped what would have been the third strike to close out the inning and the entire defense walked off the field toward the dugout. As the Tokai batter was walking back to the dugout, someone told him to run to first. He did and then went to second, then to third before scoring all the way home. The two other runners on base also scored, making it a three-run strikeout and expanding Tokai’s lead to 6-0.
At least the umpire was nice enough to explain the situation and outcome to the crowd.
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I’ve played baseball for quite a few years and yes that kind of rule isnt really “known” to the average joe. I think that was a funny video because it happens a lot in any other baseball games no matter how big or small lol. Its also funny how even the batters forget about the rule until the coach yells at them that they can run. its just one of those haha moments.
Wait wait wait …
I thought tagging the batter was required only if the catcher misplayed the final pitch, i.e. he dropped the ball. This catcher played it cleanly, on the bounce, so there shouldn’t be a reason to tag the batter, or throw to first …
Or are the rules different in Japan?
peter s: The comment for rule 6.05b in the Major League rulebook - “A batter is out when: a third strike is legally caught by the catcher” - defines “legally caught” as “in the catcher’s glove before the ball touches the ground”. So it doesn’t matter if the catcher gets it on the bounce. I assume that Japan uses the same rules that MLB does for the most part.