Has this ever happened?

[rsuriyop]

I had always found it odd that a player could run to first base on a called third strike if the catcher happens to drop the ball. But now after realizing that something like that is actually in the rule book, it has me wondering... Has a hitter ever made it safely to first in situation like this? I've seen this sort of play happen like thousands of times. But never before have I seen a hitter being called safe after hustling toward first when it actually does occur.

[StanTheMan]

It indeed happens. In the World Series even...

[rsuriyop]

It indeed happens. In the World Series even...

Then describe to me when and where these instances have happened. I'd like to see them for myself on youtube or somewhere else.

[brett]

I had always found it odd that a player could run to first base on a called third strike if the catcher happens to drop the ball. But now after realizing that something like that is actually in the rule book, it has me wondering... Has a hitter ever made it safely to first in situation like this? I've seen this sort of play happen like thousands of times. But never before have I seen a hitter being called safe after hustling toward first when it actually does occur.

Sometimes a batter will swing at a wild pitch with 2 strikes and get to first easily. It has been done intentionally.

[StanTheMan]

Search for it!

Start with Mickey Owen. The pitch was a suspected spitball... And let to a Yankee rally in Game 4.

[ipitch]

I've seen this sort of play happen like thousands of times. But never before have I seen a hitter being called safe after hustling toward first when it actually does occur.

I must watch a lot of baseball, because I must have seen it a dozen times. Here's a video (with a heated argument and an ejection too). http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/p...152040076.html

[EdTarbusz]

Then describe to me when and where these instances have happened. I'd like to see them for myself on youtube or somewhere else.

Top of the ninth in game 4 of the 1941 World Series. With two outs Tom Henrich reached first when the third strike from Hugh Casey got away from Mickey Owen.

[rsuriyop]

Thanks to all who replied. Apparently, I do not watch enough baseball as I originally thought, especially considering that this particular occurrence did happen as recently as last week as ipitch has noted. It seems though that in most instances the ball has to roll far away from the catcher in order to give the hitter enough time to run to first. This was not what I originally had in mind but it certainly counts. But either way, I still find it to be an odd occurrence in that the hitter can neither be awarded a hit or a walk. And yet his OBP should still technically go up a few points.

[StanTheMan]

I don't watch a ton of baseball, but I haven't seen it in a long time myself.

[ipitch]

And yet his OBP should still technically go up a few points.

A batter's OBP actually goes down if he reaches base via an uncaught 3rd strike.

[Gee Walker]

There was a thread here a few years ago about pitchers who have had four strikeouts in one inning. Presumably one of these (and conceivably more) was a WP/PB on strike three. Note the number of wild men and knuckleballers on the list that I found on baseball almanac:

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/feats/feats19.shtml

[EdTarbusz]

A clip of the Mickey Owen play play can be seen on MLB.com.

[ipitch]

There was a thread here a few years ago about pitchers who have had four strikeouts in one inning. Presumably one of these (and conceivably more) was a WP/PB on strike three.

Wouldn't they ALL be?

[RuthMayBond]

The Midwest League's Kelly Wunsch once fanned FIVE batters in the same inning

[Ubiquitous]

Dropped third strike home run.