Occupied Base Rule: Dropped 3rd Strike & Base Status

Question
What constitutes an occupied first base on a dropped 3rd strike?  
When there is a runner on first base and a 3rd strike is dropped, the runner is leading off and sees the ball dropped and attempts to steal, is 1st base considered occupied?

Answer
Hi Kirk,

A base is occupied until the runner is put out or advances to the next base.

Yours is a common question, just because the runner is leading off base or attempting to steal on the pitch does not un-occupy the base.  With < 2 out D3K would not apply in your question.  The batter would be out.

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