# How is a dropped 3rd strike recorded in baseball statistics? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [September 20, 2009, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-dropped-3rd-strike-recorded-in-baseball-statistics/510837 "2009-09-20T16:11:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr\_Buttons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@Mr\_Buttons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Buttons)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2009, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-dropped-3rd-strike-recorded-in-baseball-statistics/510837/1 "2009-09-20T16:11:08Z")
You know the setup, pitcher has like a 1-2 count on the batter, throws a sinker and the batter swings but the ball goes into the dirt and gets past the catcher. The alert batter sees the ball get past the catcher, and makes it to first base. How’s that recorded in the stat book? Is it a K for the pitcher? Does it count as a strike out for the batter as well? Hell, maybe it even counts for a stolen base? ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2009, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-dropped-3rd-strike-recorded-in-baseball-statistics/510837/2 "2009-09-20T16:15:48Z")
> [@Mr\_Buttons](#): > > How’s that recorded in the stat book? Is it a K for the pitcher? Does it count as a strike out for the batter as well? Hell, maybe it even counts for a stolen base? Yes, it counts as a strikeout for both. Most likely, there will also be a wild pitch or passed ball recorded on the play. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2009, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-dropped-3rd-strike-recorded-in-baseball-statistics/510837/3 "2009-09-20T18:25:21Z")
I’m pretty sure it’s record K-E2 for a strikeout and an error on the catcher. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2009, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-dropped-3rd-strike-recorded-in-baseball-statistics/510837/4 "2009-09-20T19:05:08Z")
It’s just recorded as a strikeout for the pitcher with a putout or an assist for the catcher, depending on whether he tagged the batter or threw to first. Catchers don’t get errors on dropped balls, they only get recorded as passed balls if a runner advances. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2009, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-dropped-3rd-strike-recorded-in-baseball-statistics/510837/5 "2009-09-20T19:59:06Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > It’s just recorded as a strikeout for the pitcher with a putout or an assist for the catcher, depending on whether he tagged the batter or threw to first. Catchers don’t get errors on dropped balls, they only get recorded as passed balls if a runner advances. But what if the batter makes it to first and is safe? Wouldn’t that require the scoring of the play as an error? ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2009, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-dropped-3rd-strike-recorded-in-baseball-statistics/510837/6 "2009-09-20T22:04:13Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > But what if the batter makes it to first and is safe? Wouldn’t that require the scoring of the play as an error? The play is either a passed ball or a wild pitch. It would only be an error if the catcher made a bad throw. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2009, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-dropped-3rd-strike-recorded-in-baseball-statistics/510837/7 "2009-09-20T22:40:52Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > The play is either a passed ball or a wild pitch. It would only be an error if the catcher made a bad throw. :smack: I’m following what you said the first time, now.