This was something I was wondering about while at a Sox game about a month ago, and it seems like something that might be appropriate for this thread. I clarified part of it, but I have a follow up question.
As most baseball fans know, if you swing for a third strike on a pitch that bounces before the catcher catches it, you can run to first. However, there are times that the hitter is automatically out on the third strike and doesn't become a runner. Specifically, if there is a runner on first and fewer than two outs, the batter is out and can't advance. This rule is there to prevent the catcher from dropping the third strike intentionally and then throwing to second with a follow up throw to first, which would create a double play (similar to the infield fly rule).
I thought that was pretty interesting... however, what if there is a wild pitch on that third strike and the hitter wants to try and go to first? According to Wikipedia, "If at the time of the strike three pitch, first base is occupied with fewer than two outs, the batter is automatically out and cannot become a runner." I feel like there should be a rule that if the batter leaves the batter's box in an attempt to advance to first, he can become a live runner, but otherwise, he's automatically out. Is that the case and I am misunderstanding the rule, or is there no way for the hitter to try to advance?
