Baseball rules question

[FlashHarry]

I follow B-Ball a bit, but I'm not a fanatic. The other day in a playoff game a batter swung and missed for a third strike (actually, I can't remember if he swung, or if it was called a strike), but the catcher lost the ball. The batter then ran to first base. Is this legal? Explain please.

[TSIAS]

1. Yes, that's legal

If the batter swings and misses, the catcher has to tag the runner or throw to first. If not, the pitcher is credited with a strike out and a wild pitch/past ball.

On edit- You're probably talking about Luis Castillo in the 11th inning Friday night.

[FlashHarry]

2. Weird!

Does the catcher tag every strikeout? I've never noticed before.

[GOPisEvil]

3. Only if the pitch is not caught.

If strike 3 is caught, no tag is needed.

[TSIAS]

4. No

As long as he catches the ball, it's okay. But if he drops it or never has it in his possession, he must do so.

[FlashHarry]

5. Ah ha. Sorry for being a dork...

I've watched baseball off and on for years and I don't think I've ever seen that before. It looked like a sandlot move!

[GOPisEvil]

6. There are no stupid questions - only stupid presidents.

And stupid base-running by the Red Sox (in the 7th).

[ronzo]

7. what the hell was that?

seriously?

[TSIAS]

8. Varitek got caught off guard at second

Nixon had to try and run home. They were pretty much in a catch-22.

[GOPisEvil]

9. I have no idea...

...maybe they were trying to catch the Yanks napping. :shrug:

[Kathy in Cambridge]

10. It was STUPID

Varitek is not exactly fleet of foot...

[GOPisEvil]

11. Tortoises try to hustle Varitek for foot races...

;-)

[Fight_n_back]

12. There is a famous World Series moment

I believe it was the 41 series when Dimaggio swung at a pitch in the dirt, the ball rolled to the backstop and Dimaggio reached first and ended up scoriing the winning run. I believe he would have been the third out of the inning.

And I also believe that it is scored a K reached base on PB/WP.