What happens when a thrown ball passes the third baseman and rolls into the dugout?

When a thrown ball passes the third baseman and rolls into the dugout, it is considered a situation where the ball is out of play. As a result, the runners are awarded bases based on the rules of the game. The lead runner is granted the next base, which in this case is third base, as they would be closest to advancing upon the error. The batter-runner also benefits from the error and is awarded second base.

This ruling is in place to mitigate the disadvantage caused by the play and is part of ensuring that the game operates fairly, particularly when an overthrow occurs into an area deemed out of play. The logic behind this is to provide runners with a reward for their advance when a potential play is hindered by equipment (like the dugout) or an error in fielding, thus allowing them to advance a further distance than they ordinarily might have been able to if the ball were in play.