Dropped 3rd Strikes

Dropped 3rd Strike (Click here to download!)

The catcher must know how many outs there are, where the runners are and the count (balls/strikes) and then go through these steps to determine if dropped 3rd strike is in effect.

FIRST QUESTION

The catcher should ask themselves is there 2 outs??? If there are 2 outs, dropped 3rd strike is in effect regardless of where the runners are.

• The special situation here is if the bases are loaded. If bases are loaded and 2 outs, if the catcher drops the ball, then he just steps on home for the force out at home.

• If bases are NOT loaded, the catcher tries to tag the runner and if he misses the tag, throws to first.

SECOND QUESTION

If there is NOT 2 outs, then the catcher simply looks to see if there is a runner on FIRST base.

• If there IS a runner on FIRST base, then the base is occupied and the catcher does NOT have to worry about dropped 3rd strike. He throws the ball back to the pitcher.

• If NO runner on first base (first is open), then dropped 3rd strike is in effect and he tries to tag the runner, if he misses the tag, then throws to FIRST.

That is all that there is to it.

This is just like a short stop or any other fielder, the catcher must know the situation and what he is going to do before the ball is pitched. He cant wait until the ball is dropped and then try to figure it out. Honestly, it might seem hard at first, but it is actually very easy once they understand the basic rules. After they learn the 2 rules above, you should be able to quiz them and ask them what they would do with all situations (runners at different bases and outs).

It is very important that they learn this because for instance if we have runner at 1st and 3rd and 1 out and they throw down to first thinking that dropped 3rd is in effect then we are giving up a run because that runner at 3rd will score on us.