Why can a hitter run to first base on a strike 3 when the catcher drops the ball?

Answer 1

I have played Baseball my entire life, mainly as a catcher. This is simply a way to keep the energy of the game going. It is commonly called "round the horn", and the Catcher will throw to Third, Third to Second, and Second to Short, then back to the pitcher. It is a way to keep the infield peppy and active; sort of a very mild celebration for a strikeout. It is also done on a ground out, where the First baseman will throw to SS, SS to 2B, then 2B to 3B. You will rarely (if ever) see a throw around the horn if baserunners are on base. This is because of the high chance of a wild throw.

Answer 2

That's the ball used by the firstbaseman to warm up the infielders the next time the team takes the field. It is an old tradition and has been used for years, ever since players stopped leaving their gloves on the field between innings in the 1950s. It saves the firstbaseman from searching for a warm up ball before going out to the field, as he already has a ball in his mit.

Answer 3

Because it has always been considered "bad luck" to throw the ball to the first baseman. Same reason that the third baseman always gives the ball to the pitcher after throwing it around - bad luck for anyone else to do so.

Answer 4

It's supposedly considered bad luck. I think some of it applies to practice as well.

When a pitcher is warming up on the mound, he will signal the catcher when he's going to throw one more pitch. After that pitch, the catcher might take a practice throw toward second base.

Since most catchers are right-handed, it's much easier for him to throw to third after a strike out, anyway. It is good practice to get that throw to third base in case of a steal, and it's the only time during the game that a catcher can practice it.

Answer 5

It is like you have 3 tries to hit the ball I think. And plus the game wont last forever!

Answer 6

A hitter can only run to first if the catcher drops the third strike. Because of the dropped third strike rule.

Answer 7

The catcher throws to thr pitcher or if he misses the ball he throws it first to get tjr batter out because if if the batter strikes out and the catcher misses the ball the runner can run.