The uncaught 3rd strike rule has caused frustration for even the best of pitchers. What is the purpose of this rule? Wouldn't you just assume that a strike is a strike is a strike and if you can't hit the ball, you're out?
Interestingly, this rule was put in place specifically for hitters who couldn't hit. When very early baseball came about, there were no called balls or strikes. Therefore, there was no reason for the pitcher to put the ball anywhere but right where the batter could hit it. The batter was under no obligation to swing at any given pitch, regardless of where it was pitched. This means that an incompetent batter could very well make a game come to a complete stand still. So they made the rule and added balls and strikes to eliminate this practice. And when the rule was initially made, the 3rd strike was then just considered "in play" like any batted ball that went uncaught.
Do you think we should keep this rule? Is it just a last ditch chance for a batter to get on? I mean, we've all seen batters with 2 strikes against a dominating pitcher, who will swing at a wild pitch betting that they'll make it before a throw.
Interestingly, this rule was put in place specifically for hitters who couldn't hit. When very early baseball came about, there were no called balls or strikes. Therefore, there was no reason for the pitcher to put the ball anywhere but right where the batter could hit it. The batter was under no obligation to swing at any given pitch, regardless of where it was pitched. This means that an incompetent batter could very well make a game come to a complete stand still. So they made the rule and added balls and strikes to eliminate this practice. And when the rule was initially made, the 3rd strike was then just considered "in play" like any batted ball that went uncaught.
Do you think we should keep this rule? Is it just a last ditch chance for a batter to get on? I mean, we've all seen batters with 2 strikes against a dominating pitcher, who will swing at a wild pitch betting that they'll make it before a throw.