from major league baseball's official rules

[rone]

I've always wondered how the rule that allows batters to run to first after the catcher misses strike 3 is phrased in the rulebook.  I finally dug in and found it.

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6.00 The Batter

6.05
A batter is out when_ [...] (b) A third strike is legally caught by the catcher; "Legally caught" means in the catcher's glove before the ball touches the ground. [...] If smothered against his body or protector, it is a catch provided the ball struck the catcher's glove or hand first.

6.09
The batter becomes a runner when_ [...] (b) The third strike called by the umpire is not caught, providing (1) first base is unoccupied, or (2) first base is occupied with two out; When a batter becomes a base runner on a third strike not caught by the catcher and starts for the dugout, or his position, and then realizes his situation and attempts then to reach first base, he is not out unless he or first base is tagged before he reaches first base. If, however, he actually reaches the dugout or dugout steps, he may not then attempt to go to first base and shall be out.

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So, that Escobar pitch that Pierzynski swung through for strike 3, did it hit the ground before Paul caught it?  I won't say what i think.  All i know is that i can't think of a crazier play in baseball in my experience.

Comments

[joepro.livejournal.com]

Ah, the subtle nuances of baseball. I read a quote in the paper today, I believe the person quoted was an ex-catcher. He said he believed that the ball was caught cleanly and never touched the ground. His reason? If a ball hits the dirt, it will often become scuffed. A scuffed ball will favor the pitcher. Since the inning was over, it would not have made sense for the catcher to roll a scuffed ball back to the mound, so his team could have a disadvantage when they came up to bat. It's also clearly obvious he could have simply tagged the player or thrown the ball over to first base. A bush league call by the ump if you ask me, but I'm rooting for the White Sox anyway.