Around the horn

This baseball tradition seems innocent enough but it can have dire consequences.

Catcher is asked to whip the ball to the 3B after a strikeout. He does this as much to show some spirit and energy as much to keep the infielders arms loose. The catcher is also asked to apply a tag to the batter if the ball is dropped on a 3rd strike. What if the "around the horn" and the tagging of the batter conflict?

It happened very recently to my team and I know think differently about the theory of around the horn.

A batter struck out and the catcher dropped the ball. The catcher in his zest to throw the ball around the horn air mailed the 3B. The batter advanced to 1B and ultimately scored. After questioning the catcher I began to question myself and baseball itself.

Ostensibly, the catcher threw the ball at the 3B for no practical reason. Therefore, his throw that served no functional purpose ultimately cost us a run and the game.

The answer? Don't throw the ball around the horn.

Very simple.