Can You Score On A Third Out In Baseball? The Complete Guide

Yes, a run can score on a third out in baseball, but the specific circumstances dictate whether the run counts. The rules around scoring on a third out are crucial for both players and fans to grasp. This guide breaks down the complexities of baseball run scoring rules related to the third out, covering everything from force plays to appeal plays and everything in between. We’ll look at different game situations and explain how they impact whether a run counts.

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Decoding the Basics of Scoring

Before diving into the specifics of the third out, let’s recap the basic principle: a run scores when a runner legally touches home plate. Simple, right? But add a third out into the mix, and things get trickier.

The Essential Rule: The Timing of the Run

The most important concept to keep in mind is that a run must cross the plate before the third out is recorded. If the third out occurs before the runner touches home, the run doesn’t count. Timing is everything! This is crucial in third out advancement.

Third Out Scenarios: When Does the Run Count?

Now, let’s examine several scenarios where the third out happens and how they affect whether a run scores.

Force Out on the Third Out

A third out force play is one of the most common scenarios where a run doesn’t count.

• What is a Force Out? A force out happens when a runner is forced to advance because the batter becomes a runner. For example, a runner on first base must advance to second when the batter hits the ball.
• The Rule: If the third out is a force out, no runs can score, regardless of whether a runner crossed home plate before the out.

Example:

• Runners on second and third base.
• The batter hits a ground ball to the shortstop.
• The shortstop throws to second base for the force out on the runner advancing from first.
• The runner on third crosses home plate before the out at second.

Even though the runner crossed home before the out, the run does not score because the third out was a force out.

Tag Out on the Third Out

A tag out is different from a force out. If a runner is tagged out, the run might count if the runner crossed home plate before the tag.

• The Rule: If the third out is a tag out, the run scores if the runner touched home plate before being tagged.

Example:

• Runner on third base.
• The batter hits a single to the outfield.
• The runner on third tries to score but is tagged out at home plate by the catcher.
• However, before the runner is tagged out, another runner on first base reached home safely.

If the tag out happens before the runner on first touches home, the run doesn’t count. But if that runner touches home before the tag, the run does count.

Tag Up Third Out

A tag up third out situation occurs on a caught fly ball.

• The Rule: Runners on base can only advance after a fielder catches a fly ball. This is a “tag up.” If the runner leaves the base early and is tagged out, or if the fielder throws to the base to record an out before the runner can tag up and advance, then the run will not count if it is the third out.
• Example:
  • Runner on third base. Less than two outs.
  • Batter hits a fly ball to right field.
  • The runner on third tags up, meaning they wait until the right fielder catches the ball.
  • The runner on third crosses home plate after tagging up. If the runner does this before the third out (the catch), the run scores.

However, if the runner leaves early and is tagged out before reaching home, or if the outfielder throws to third base and gets the out before the runner can tag up, and this is the third out, the run doesn’t count.

Dropped Third Strike: The Unpredictable Play

The dropped third strike scoring rule is one of the more confusing parts of baseball.

• What is a Dropped Third Strike? If the catcher drops the third strike, the batter can attempt to run to first base, unless first base is occupied with less than two outs.
• The Rule:
  • If first base is unoccupied or there are two outs, the batter can run. If the catcher doesn’t throw the batter out, the batter is safe.
  • If the runner reaches first safely before another runner scores, the run counts.
  • However, if the catcher tags the batter out or throws the batter out at first base for the third out, no run can score. Also, if first base is occupied with less than two outs, the dropped third strike rule doesn’t apply, and the runner cannot attempt to advance to first base.

Example:

• Runner on third base, two outs.
• The batter swings and misses for strike three, but the catcher drops the ball.
• The batter runs to first base and is safe.
• The runner on third crosses home plate after the batter reaches first safely.

In this case, the run scores because the batter reached first before the runner crossed the plate. However, if the runner on third touched home before the batter reached first, the run would not score since the out was the third out of the inning.

Infield Fly Rule: A Special Case

The infield fly rule third out often causes confusion.

• What is the Infield Fly Rule? With runners on first and second (or first, second, and third) and less than two outs, if the batter hits a fair fly ball that an infielder can catch with ordinary effort, the batter is automatically out.
• The Rule: The infield fly rule is designed to prevent the defense from intentionally dropping the ball to create a double or triple play. However, the ball is live, and runners can advance at their own risk.
• Third Out Implication: If the infield fly is called for the third out, runners can score if they advance before the out is recorded. They can either stay on their base, or advance at their own risk, hoping to advance if the ball is dropped.

Example:

• Runners on first and third, one out.
• The batter hits a pop-up that is called an infield fly.
• The infielder catches the ball for the third out.
• The runner on third tries to score, but it is after the out is recorded. The run doesn’t count.

However, if the ball is dropped, the runners can attempt to advance at their own risk.

Passed Ball or Wild Pitch

Both a passed ball and a wild pitch can lead to scoring opportunities, even on a third out.

• What are Passed Balls and Wild Pitches? A passed ball is when the catcher fails to catch a pitch that they should have caught with ordinary effort, allowing a runner to advance. A wild pitch is a pitch so erratic that the catcher cannot control it with ordinary effort, also allowing a runner to advance.
• The Rule: If a runner scores because of a passed ball third out or wild pitch third out before the third out is recorded, the run counts.

Example:

• Runner on third base, two outs.
• The pitcher throws a wild pitch that the catcher can’t control.
• The runner on third scores before the catcher retrieves the ball and tags the batter out.

In this scenario, the run counts because the runner scored before the third out.

Appeal Plays and Scoring

Third out appeal play are a unique situation.

• What is an Appeal Play? An appeal play happens when the defensive team calls attention to an offensive player missing a base or leaving a base early on a tag-up.
• The Rule: An appeal must be made before the next pitch or any play. If the appeal is upheld and it’s the third out, any runs that scored due to the play in question may be nullified.

Example:

• Runner on first and third, two outs.
• The batter hits a single, and the runner on third scores.
• However, the defensive team notices that the runner on first missed second base.
• They appeal to the umpire before the next pitch.
• The umpire rules the runner out.

Because the appeal was the third out, the run that scored may not count, depending on if the runner crossed home plate before the appeal was made.

Summarizing Run Scoring on a Third Out

To clarify when a run counts on a third out, here’s a table summarizing the rules:

Third Out Type	Does the Run Count?
Force Out	No, never.
Tag Out	Yes, if the runner touched home plate before being tagged.
Tag Up	Yes, if the runner tagged up properly and scored before the catch.
Dropped Third Strike	Yes, if the runner reaches first base safely before another runner touches home (with conditions).
Infield Fly	No, if the ball is caught.
Passed Ball/Wild Pitch	Yes, if the runner scores before the third out is recorded.
Appeal Play	Maybe. Depends on whether the runner scored before the appeal was upheld.

Real-World Examples

To further clarify the rules, here are a few examples from actual baseball games:

• Example 1: In a 2018 World Series game, a runner attempted to score on a wild pitch with two outs. The runner slid in just before the batter was tagged out, and the run counted, extending the inning.
• Example 2: In a regular-season game, a runner on third tried to score on a dropped third strike. The batter was thrown out at first before the runner touched home, so the run didn’t count, ending the inning.

Strategies Based on Third Out Rules

Coaches and players often strategize based on these rules.

• Aggressive Baserunning: With two outs, teams often encourage aggressive baserunning, trying to score before the third out can be made.
• Defensive Awareness: Defenses must be aware of the game situation, knowing when a force play is possible and when they need to make a tag.
• Appeal Awareness: Defenses must also be aware of opportunities to make an appeal play if they notice an infraction.

Common Mistakes

A frequent mistake is assuming that any run that crosses the plate before the third out always counts. As we’ve seen, the type of out matters.

Final Thoughts

The rules around scoring on a third out in baseball can be complicated. But by grasping the principles of force plays, tag plays, the dropped third strike, and other scenarios, you can improve your appreciation for the strategic depth of the game.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What is the most common way a run doesn’t count on a third out?

  • The most common way is via a force out. If the third out is a force out, no run scores.

• Can a run score on a dropped third strike?

  • Yes, but only if first base is unoccupied or there are two outs, the batter reaches first safely, and the runner crosses home plate after the batter is safe at first.

• Does the infield fly rule always prevent a run from scoring?

  • Not necessarily. If the ball is dropped, the runners can attempt to advance.

• Who is responsible for knowing these rules?

  • Players, coaches, and umpires must know these rules. Fans benefit from knowing them, too, to fully appreciate the game.

• Can I appeal a play after the next pitch?

  • No, an appeal must be made before the next pitch or any subsequent play.