It has to be caught it-the-air first. "Dropped Third Strike" is a misleading term. It should be called the "Uncaught Third Strike". So, if the ball touches the dirt before reaching the catcher, it is indeed a dropped third strike.
Yes you can pinch hit for a batter once he is pitched to, but of course the new batter starts his at bat with the count of the batter previous.
Yes.
Dave Magadan
A called strike cannot hit the ground and then go thru the strike zone. Baseball rule section 2.00 Definitions of Terms: A ball is a pitch which does not enter the strike zone in flight and is not struck at by the batter. If the pitch touches the ground and bounces through the strike zone it is a "ball". If such a pitch touches the batter, he shall be awarded first base. If the batter swings at such a pitch after two strikes, the ball cannot be caught, for the purposes of rule 6.05 (c) and 6.09 (b). If the batter hits such a pitch, the ensuing action shall be the same as if he hit the ball in flight.
Ball's dead and runners can't advance.
If you mean that there are already two outs, then, no, the run does not count. Any time the batter is put out before reaching 1st base, it is considered a force out. Therefore, no run counts on a play where the batter makes the 3rd out before reaching 1st base.
Defensive indifference occurs when a defensive team does not attempt to make a play on a runner advancing to the next base, often seen when the game situation suggests it won't affect the outcome. In the case of a dropped third strike, if the batter does not attempt to run to first base, and the defense does not try to throw him out, it can be considered defensive indifference. However, if the batter does run and the defense makes no effort to tag him out, it is not classified as defensive indifference but rather as an error or a missed opportunity to make a play. The distinction lies in whether the batter attempts to advance after the dropped third strike.
When you hit the ball into fair territory or when a 3rd strike is dropped by the catcher. There's no other time a batter needs to run to first.
yes
If an infield fly is dropped during a baseball game, the batter is automatically out, regardless of whether the ball is caught or dropped. The runners on base can advance at their own risk.
There are several ways to reach first base, but the 5 ways to be awarded first base, without putting the ball into play: 1. Hit-by-pitch 2. Base on Balls 3. Intentional Walk 4. Dropped 3rd strike 5. Catcher interference (hitting catchers glove while swinging)
It is a strike.