uncaught third strike

Question
Third strike bypasses catcher's glove and lodges in chest protector.  Catcher grabs ball from chest protector and transfers to glove.  Is batter entitled to run to first base as this was not a cleanly caught ball?

Answer
Bill,

Sorry for taking so long to answer this one.  I wanted to wait until I double checked the definition of a catch in the rule book.  The book is clear, the catcher did not catch this ball, thus it becomes  a "dropped third stike" or uncaught third strike.  The batter is free to attempt to reach first base.

Tom