The Dropped Third Strike Rule in Fastpitch Softball
When the catcher doesn't catch strike three cleanly, the batter can run to first if first base is open, or if there are two outs. If first base is taken with fewer than two outs, the batter's out and stays put.
When it comes up
It's a live-pitching call: strike three is called, but the catcher misses it, traps it, or it bounces in the dirt. Two things decide the batter's move: the outs, and whether first base has a runner.
What the call is
It comes down to the open base and the out count.
- First base open: the batter can run, whatever the out count.
- Runner on first, fewer than two outs: the batter's out and stays put.
- Two outs: the batter can always run, even with first base taken.
- Once she runs, the catcher can throw her out at first or tag her.
Why the rule exists
It keeps the defense honest: a free out every time would let a catcher drop it on purpose for a cheap double play, so the open-base and two-out limits remove that trick. On strike three, look at the catcher, and run if the ball's loose and the base is open.
How it changes by age
It's coach pitch or machine pitch at these ages, so there's no live pitcher to drop a third strike and you'll rarely see this call.
Once live pitching starts, usually around 10U, the dropped third strike is in play and runners learn to watch the catcher and go on a miss.
Test yourself
Two strikes on the batter, one out, nobody on base. Strike three skips past the catcher to the backstop. What should the batter do?
Show the call
Sprint to first base.
First base is open, so on an uncaught third strike the batter becomes a runner and has to be thrown out.