Greenmonsters
Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
I recently had an ump tell me that if a third strike hits the ground before it gets to the catcher, it is played as a dropped 3rd strike. I didn't get it then and with the historical explanation, it still doesn't make sense.
Instead of a pitch and swing and miss, just think of it like a pop up - if you catch it before it hits the ground, its an out, if it hits the ground before you catch it, it's in play.