Dropped third strike

Situation

The count is two strikes. The next pitch is strike three, looking or swinging, and it is not caught. Before you pick a result, check two things: is first base occupied, and are there already two outs?

What happens on the field

• First base is empty, or there are already two outs: the batter may try for first. The defense can throw them out.
• First base is occupied and there are fewer than two outs: the batter is out and does not become a runner.
• Other runners move only if the umpire says the ball stayed live. That is a separate call from the batter being out.

How the book should look

• Charge a strikeout either way. It is not a hit and not a walk.
• Thrown out at first: strikeout, with a putout (often 2-3).
• Reaches safely: still a strikeout. Credit a wild pitch, a passed ball, or an error. Do not credit a single.

A common miss is scoring a single because the batter is standing on first, or trying to score a dropped third when first is occupied with fewer than two outs.

In DugoutDesk

1. If the batter may run, open Pitch menu and tap Dropped 3rd. If they are safe, choose How they reached: Safe, Wild pitch, Passed ball, or Error. If they are out at first, mark the batter out and tap the fielders (2 then 3 is K 2-3).
2. If the batter is automatically out, log the third strike. Tapping Dropped 3rd explains why it cannot be scored. If another runner advances, tap that runner and choose Throwing error.

Pitch-by-pitch scoring is free. This is not a batted ball, so hit spray (coach premium) is not part of the play.

Ruleset notes

The scorer uses the same test for baseball and fastpitch: the batter may run only when first is empty or there are already two outs. Some younger divisions, including parts of Little League, do not let the batter run on an uncaught third strike at all. USA Softball, USSSA, NFHS, PONY, and Babe Ruth usually follow the first-empty-or-two-outs test, with local exceptions.

Confirm the call with your rulebook and the umpire, then record that ruling. This is not a rules certification.