Third Strike rule

Question
Okay, the team I coach had a game this past weekend. This is what happened...our team was in the outfield there was a girl on third. It was a full count and the pitch was crazy. The batter however attempted to hit the ball thus causing it the third strike. Our catcher did not catch the ball and the girl ran. It caught my catcher off guard and she threw to first, in the meantime the runner on third ran home and scored. My understanding of the third strike rule is that the pitch had to be a strike and the ball had to be dropped. Is this allowed? Can a runner advance on the third strike drop rule if she swings at a bad pitch? Can she even advance if she swings at a strike?

Answer
HI Brit,

The third strike rule is in effect when the catcher "fails to catch the 3rd strike before the ball touches the ground" and there are less than 2 outs and 1st base is not occupied at the time of the pitch or there are 2 outs.

The ball does not have to be dropped by the catcher only touch the ground before she catches it.  This can be a ball that hits the ground before it gets to the catcher (this is considered a trapped ball if the catcher secures it) or is actually dropped by the catcher.

"My understanding of the third strike rule is that the pitch had to be a strike and the ball had to be dropped."  This is incorrect the ball need not be in the strike zone if that's what you mean by a strike and as I stated above it need not be actually dropped.

"Can a runner advance on the third strike drop rule if she swings at a bad pitch? Can she even advance if she swings at a strike?"
Yes to both if catcher fails to catch the ball before the ball touches the ground.

Mark