A local league can opt out of it for the regular season for Majors.

Although personally I wouldn't recommend that.

If you are going to opt out it should be documented in your Local Rules.

It is not in use for Minors.

It is mandatory for Little League (11-12) and 10-11 Tournaments.

Would also strongly suggest interested parties should become familiar with LL Rule 6.09(b)--page 79, 2012 Baseball Rulebook.

{Page 77, 2012  LL Softball Rulebook}

Frank!

Wasn't my choice, the vote on the board was 12 to 7 to delay until our round robin time period. 

It follows their pattern of having Minor A teams not allowed to steal home until the Round Robin time also!

It is my hope, and I spoke clearly about it, that it makes for having better catchers in front of me!! 

I

Shades_of_Blue wrote:

 

While rules 605(b) and 609(b) do pick up the Uncaught Third Strike Rule it seems WP forgot to add it into Rule 7.13 (Runner Leaving Early).

 

While it may be obvious to many seasoned umpires and coaches, I fear there will much confusion with the omission of this play in the 7.13 examples section.

 

I am training to treat this play as you would a bunt/infield hit.  I

 

- If BR put out at first, place the runners back.

- If the BR reaches safely all advance one and only one (as any other base reached by BR would have to be by error). 

- Bases Loaded 'Poof Rule' appplies (7.15 example 15).

 

Has anyone heard different?

Heard different? no!   Let's go through your scenerios if we could. 

Dropped third strike only counts when there is zero or one out and first base is open. Or 2 out.   If a runner is on first, it is strike three, batter out. Base open, it is only strike 3.

It is also a live ball, so runners, say at 2nd and 3rd, are on there own as to attempting to advance. Why would I move them back?  Unless you just mean in leaving early situations?

I agree with 2 out, and force on the poof rule could happen. 

The one I am not sure about how you wrote it?  If the BR reaches safely all advance one and only one? Guy at 2nd leaves early, goe back to second. If he doesn't and runs to third on the throw to first, it is a smart play.

Maybe I am over analyzing this thing!!

We're more than a week into the season, and there haven't been any problems with it. Yeah, one game got put into extra innings, and lasted an extra hour because if it ( at least I didn't have the plate on that one), but that's baseball.

The kids figured it out pretty quickly, as it ain't rocket science. If your league is still undecided, convince them to go with it right out of the gate. They'll be better of for it in the long run.

And ....... you can't use the "Poof Rule" for the uncaught third strike.

7.13(c) requires the ball to be batted or bunted within the infield.

An uncaught third strike is not a batted ball.

Williamsport has decided otherwise, and the poof rule is in effect for the uncaught third strike, with the bases loaded, where someone leaves early. Too late to be the in the rule books, but that decision was put out to the DAs, via email, and should trickle out to the locals.