Infield Fly

He sure did. Just because the infield fly rule was called (and you didn't say it was), doesn't make it a caught fly ball. No tag up was necessary.

I'm guessing that the ball fell to the ground when it bounced off of the 2nd baseman's glove.

Other than the batter being out an infield fly is no different than any other fly ball. If the 2nd baseman didn't catch the ball then the runners don't have to tag up. If the runner was standing on 2nd base when he was tagged he's not out.

Sorry dash; I must have been typing when you posted.

Infield Fly was called, the ball bounced into foul territory behind first base, probably 40' away from the second baseman. It was a pretty high pop-up and with the wind, it was apparent almost immediately the 2nd baseman was struggling to get under it. RF threw the ball to the SS at 2nd.

Umpire went on to say he didn't blame the coach, it's his job to argue for his team in situations like that, if he believes he is right. It's his job to know the rules and not get tricked. The coach is a friend of mine and truly believes/believed he was correct on the call.

I plan to point this to him, especially since his boys now believe they must tag on and IF Fly.

Thanks for the help!

Dash and Pilsner have answered you correctly. My question was did the run score. Now you have a time play and if the R3 scored before the wrong appeal at second then it should count. You may have been wronged by two baseball myths. The first being you have to tag up on an uncaught IF. The second would be that the tag-up is a force and to not count the run. It is not a force so it sets up the time play. Because R3 held some to see if it was caught, he may not have made it in time. Just curious. It dispel two myths in your area.
Welcome to the board, don't be afraid to come back and ask more questions. Even though this is primarily a high school board we are more than willing to cover any rule set. Just be aware many times if you don't give the system you are playing in you will get a high school answer.

Ah, infield fly rule- you gotta either hate it or love it!

Last year we had a play where the umpire not realizing the situation (there being 1 out with runners on first and second) forgot to yell infield fly on a very easy popup to shortstop. The runners thinking it would be caught were literally on their bags. the ball was badly mishandled and dropped but then noticing that the runners hadn't yet advanced the shortstop doubled up the guys on both first and second with a tag and throw to end the inning. All hell broke loose between both coaches and the umpire, one arguing that it is an infield fly irregardless of if it was called or not and the other coach arguing that the umpire has to call an infield fly at the time of the play in order for it to be such. The umpire aknowledged fully it was an infield fly but that he forgot the situation and thus forgot to say it.

It was pure mayhem to say the least. They never really did straighten the mess out and one team ended up on the short end of the stick because of a bad no-call by the umpire. Personally i think the umpire should have reversed his no-call and stated it was an infield fly and thus go back and reverse some of the damage to the offensive team, but who knows.

quote:

Personally i think the umpire should have reversed his no-call and stated it was an infield fly and thus go back and reverse some of the damage to the offensive team, but who knows.

Then you would be more informed than the umpires who call this youth league........

In Fed rules, if a pop up in the infield is an infield fly by rule but the umpires fail to call it, the batter is out anyway since both teams have the responsiblity to know when conditions exist for an infield fly...

(the only determining factor would be it has to be an true infield fly meeting the proper criteria and not some hump backed liner that would be subject to umpire judgment)

In OBR the umpires must insure the intent of the rule is enforced: they must protect the offensive team from an undeserved double play. That could require a belated "infield fly" ruling and revocation of subsequent action....

I really do appreciate the insight guys!

This was a 10U tourney. OBR. No runner attempted to score, they were just standing on 3rd and 2nd respectively, wondering what was going on!

The umpires did a great job, especially considering this was their 3rd straight game in 90+ degree temps! They signaled each other the IF Fly was in affect prior to the batter getting in the box at the start of his AB, and called it almost immediately. I guess the combination of the heat and very long day just caused a brain lock.

I would like to emphasize, this was not a conflict situation between the umpires and coach. Out of curiosity, when should the other coach start objecting to his opponents argument? Immediately?

quote:

Umpire went on to say he didn't blame the coach, it's his job to argue for his team in situations like that, if he believes he is right. It's his job to know the rules and not get tricked.

He is correct it was his job to get the ruling right and not get tricked.........

To this point there is a method to handling these types of issues when you are not sure of the ruling....

You and your partner are to move off away from the coaches and review the situation...this is so you can't be talked into a call by an agressive coach....

As the opposing coach, I always feel it is not a good idea to try and jump in to present your case.......you should be the calm one and only object to an incorrect ruling.......

I was observing a couple of umpires when a similar type situation happened. The HP umpire was unsure of a ruling and was being badgered by both coaches and his partner was of no help and did not come in to assist or offer help.........I remarked to my partner that an ejection was sure to happen.....

Sure enough, not a few mins later, the discussions got heated and one coach was thrown out.......

This pattern plays out all too often....