27th out, dropped strike 3 + error...

[jlondon81]

My friend told me about a baseball dream he recently had (he pitched in high school) and we debated the scenario at length. I thought I'd share it here because we couldn't agree on whether it was a legal play.

Situation:
Bottom of the 9th, runners on 2nd and 3rd with two outs. Winning run is on 2nd. Pitcher delivers a 2-1 fastball about two feet in front of the plate, yet the batter swings and misses. Batter makes for first while the catcher scrambles for the ball. In his hurry, the catcher throws wide of first base and the ball sails into right field, down the line. Seeing the error, the runners on base advance, with the tying run scoring easily. The runner on 2nd barely beats the throw home to score the winning run.

Scoring:
Batter reaches 1st on dropped 3rd strike. Runners advance on throwing error by catcher (E2).

Debated question:
Is the throwing error on the catcher a one-base error or is the runner on second allowed to try and score on the play?

NOTE: This scenario read much like the baseball rules quiz ESPN posted on their website a couple weeks ago.

[dhardy123]

It wouldn't be a dropped third strike if the count was 2-1. It would be a 2 base throwing error charged to the catcher

[PetroGuy]

Even if it was a 2 strike count, why wouldn't the runner from second be allowed to score on the error?

[FTMSupport]

Only way the bases would be limited on the throwing error is if the ball went out of play. If the ball stayed on the field, it is a live ball and all runners can advance as many bases as possible.