Infield Fly Rule

YHF100+ posts

We had what I would refer to as a close call on a fly ball between the 2B and RF. It was not consequential to the results of the game so that's not my issue.

First, when a soft fly ball is hit behind an infielder, is there a rule of thumb for umps about whether or not to invoke the infield fly rule? Does it simply have to be (in the ump's judgment) that it is catchable by the infielder? Is there a certain distance measurement they try to use or perhaps if it will land closer to the infielder than the outfielder it's an infield fly?

FYI...The ball in question wasn't a line drive and wasn't a high fly, kind of in between flare, and it fell in easily for what would have been a hit had the ump not called the infield fly. It didn't affect the results of the game so nobody complained.

Any clarifications on this would be helpful.

Thanks.
Jon

3/28/0611:59 AM

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Original Post

Pirate Fan100+ posts

A couple of things:
1)Whether the ball is a "soft fly" or high arch does not by itslef determine an infield fly. An infield fly is a fair fly (not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt)
2) There is nothing to preclude an outfielder from catching an infield fly, nor for an infielder from catching an infield fly in the outfield. (ex. a high arch fly behind 2nd base which allows the 2nd baseman or short stop to set up under the ball could probablly be call an infield fly.)

The other thing is it has to be with ordinary effort, not just catchable.

Without being there it is difficult to determine if the right call was made.

From an umpires point of view, I am most likely not going to call the "blopper; soft fly, etc" an infield fly. My reason is that it will take more than ordinary effort to make the catch.

Hope this helps.

3/28/061:15 PM

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