Question......

[just hang on]

With two strikes on the batter, he swung through strike three (without making contact) on a pitch that bounced off home plate and the catcher kept the ball in front of him. Why does he need to tag the batter to consider an official out? Or if the batter starts running down to first, then why is he required to throw down to first to get the out?

 

[NJO]

it has nothing to do with keeping it in front of him -- if the ball hits the ground or the plate, the catcher must tag him to make it an out, or throw to first for the out, or have the batter leave the box and make no attempt at getting to first base to have him be out.

however, if there are less than 2 outs and first is already occupied, then the batter is automatically out. no tag or throw needed.

if there are 2 outs, force outs apply at any base.