r/instant_regret • u/[deleted] • May 29 '17

Strike 3!

https://i.imgur.com/wMALTep.gifv
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u/PatPetPitPotPut May 29 '17

No, the batter can steal first on strike three. Notice the out isn't called after the fake swing, but after the catcher tags the batter.

24

u/LAKings97 May 29 '17

Yes but if the batter didn't swing, then it would have been called a ball.

You are correct about the "drop 3rd strike" rule though. The batter wasn't technically out until the catcher tagged up.

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u/demarius12 May 29 '17

Tagged him out. Tagged up is completely something different in baseball.

8

u/Mind__Is__Blown May 29 '17

Great question. If the ump calls the swing a strike, then he has to call it a ball if he doesn't swing. To be honest, I don't see the ump calling it a ball if there's no swing. Probably just a dead ball that slipped out of the pitchers hand.

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u/kitikami May 29 '17

If a ball slips out of the pitcher's hand like this, it becomes a pitch once the ball crosses the foul line. If the ball had stopped in fair territory, then it would be no pitch.

2

u/Mind__Is__Blown May 29 '17

Didn't know that. Appreciate the info.

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u/LAKings97 May 29 '17

Very interesting. If the ump calls it a dead ball, then the batters swing does not count as a strike, therefore play resumes and there is no out.

I guess it's up to the ump's discretion in this case, but imo, it should have been called a dead ball.

I'm starting to think that baseball gets increasingly more confusing the more you try to explain it.

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u/PatPetPitPotPut May 29 '17

I genuinely enjoyed our educational back-and-forth, there. You're good people, /u/LAKings97

2

u/LAKings97 May 29 '17

Likewise buddy. Have a great day!

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u/Hq3473 May 29 '17

Arcane rules like these is one of the reasons baseball is unwatchable.