softball third strike rule

Question
2 outs and the bases are load or 1st and 2nd. The batter strikes out. The catcher drops the ball can the batter run to first or is she out? fast pitch softball

Answer
With less than two outs the batter is out because first base is occupied.  With two outs, it doesn't matter if first base is occupied.  The batter can run to first and the defense needs to put her out at first or put one of the other runners out with a legal play.  

For instance, if bases are loaded and the ball isn't all the way to the backstop, the catcher could just pick up the ball and touch home plate for the force out.

Tom