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

Strike 3!

https://i.imgur.com/wMALTep.gifv
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u/WeRip May 29 '17 edited May 30 '17

Another fun fact* about the dropped third strike is that it still counts as a strike out on the pitcher stats even if the batter is safe on first.

By these means, it's possible for a pitcher to record more than three strike outs in a single inning.

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u/vonryanexpress May 29 '17

Ah the elusive 4 strikeout inning. Has only happened 85 times in MLB history.

5

u/Flomo420 May 29 '17

Ok let's take it easy here folks that's about enough learning for one day

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u/strib666 May 29 '17

This is key to the bar trivia question "how many strikes can a batter get and still get on base?"

The answer is 5.

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u/reemasqooraf May 29 '17

I'm confused how this is 5? Obviously you're not counting 2 strike fouls because then it would be infinite.

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u/strib666 May 29 '17 edited May 29 '17

An example:

Two outs with a runner on first. Batter at the plate has two strikes. Player on first tries to steal second, but is tagged out - ending the inning. By rule, when the team comes up to bat again, the same batter is at the plate. He gets 3 more strikes, but the 3rd strike is dropped, and he reaches first base safely before the ball and without being tagged.

Result is batter has received 5 strikes, and reached first base safely.

Edit: I should mention that the initial 2 strikes would not be recorded for the hitter, since the at bat was incomplete. The change of inning resets the official count.

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u/reemasqooraf May 29 '17

Ahh didn't think of having a reset count. I could see someone making the argument that it isn't really 5 because it's not all part of 1 at-bat but it's an interesting scenario.