How does a batter get out in baseball?
B · Beginner · The game · 4 of 5Mainly in three ways. Three strikes is a strikeout. A batted ball caught before it touches the ground, fair or foul, is an out. A fair ball that is fielded and thrown to first base before the batter gets there is an out. Three outs end the team's turn at bat.
How it works
- Caught in the air: "His fair or foul fly ball (other than a foul tip) is legally caught by a fielder."
- A catch: the fielder must hold the ball long enough to show complete control.
- Strikeout: the catcher catches the third strike.
- Dropped third strike: if the catcher does not catch strike three, the batter may run, provided first base is empty or there are two out.
- Beaten to first: after a fair ball, "he or first base is tagged before he touches first base".
- Bunting foul with two strikes: out.
- Hit by own batted ball: a fair ball that touches the batter outside the box before a fielder touches it is an out.
- Out of the box: hitting the ball with a foot on the ground entirely outside the batter's box.
- Running out of the lane: on the last half of the way to first, running outside the three-foot lane and so interfering with the throw.
- Batting out of turn: on appeal, the batter who should have batted is called out.
- Three outs: "When three offensive players are legally put out, that team takes the field".
The glossary has the out, the strikeout, the catch, the dropped third strike entry, the fly ball and the batter-runner.
Tricky cases
The catcher drops strike three with nobody on base. Is the batter out?
Not yet. The batter may run, and is out only if tagged or if the ball reaches first base first.
The catcher drops strike three with a runner on first and one out. Can the batter run?
No. With first base occupied and fewer than two out, the batter is out on three strikes.
An outfielder catches the ball, takes two steps and drops it while pulling it out to throw. Catch or not?
A catch. If a fielder drops the ball while attempting a throw after showing control, it is still a catch.
The wrong batter comes up, gets a hit and nobody notices until two pitches later. What happens?
Nothing. Once a pitch is made to the next batter, the improper batter's turn becomes legal.
Why the rule exists
An out is the price of failing to reach base, and three of them ration a team's chances. The dropped third strike is a leftover from the game's early days that survives because it asks the defence to finish the job: a strikeout is complete only when the catcher holds the ball.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| First base empty, or two out | Batter may run on a dropped third strike | WBSC Baseball Rule 10.2.2 |
| First base occupied, fewer than two out | Batter is out on strike three | WBSC Baseball Rule 9.10.3 |
| Infield fly | Batter is out without a catch | WBSC Baseball Rule 6.45 |
| Fielder drops a fly on purpose with a runner on first | Batter is out | WBSC Baseball Rule 9.10.12 |
From the rule book
World Baseball Softball Confederation, Official Rules of Baseball (2025-2026 edition), Rules 6.15, 9.7, 9.8, 9.10, 10.2.2 and 11.3. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: WBSC Official Rules of Baseball 2025-2026 (PDF).