More Infield Fly

blufferdad,

If you’re going to quote something, don’t only partially quote it. Here’s the definition of an infield fly from OBR, rule 2.00.

An INFIELD FLY is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out. The pitcher, catcher and any outfielder who stations himself in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose of this rule.

When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an Infield Fly, the umpire shall immediately declare “Infield Fly” for the benefit of the runners. If the ball is near the baselines, the umpire shall declare “Infield Fly, if Fair.”

The ball is alive and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught, or retouch and advance after the ball is touched, the same as on any fly ball. If the hit becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul.

If a declared Infield Fly is allowed to fall untouched to the ground, and bounces foul before passing first or third base, it is a foul ball. If a declared Infield Fly falls untouched to the ground outside the baseline, and bounces fair before passing first or third base, it is an Infield Fly.

Rule 2.00 (Infield Fly) Comment: On the infield fly rule the umpire is to rule whether the ball could ordinarily have been handled by an infielder—not by some arbitrary limitation such as the grass, or the base lines. The umpire must rule also that a ball is an infield fly, even if handled by an outfielder, if, in the umpire’s judgment, the ball could have been as easily handled by an infielder. The infield fly is in no sense to be considered an appeal play. The umpire’s judgment must govern, and the decision should be made immediately.

When an infield fly rule is called, runners may advance at their own risk. If on an infield fly rule, the infielder intentionally drops a fair ball, the ball remains in play despite the provisions of Rule 6.05(l). The infield fly rule takes precedence.

As to your question, what in that definition leads you to believe that what effort the IFrs put out has anything to do whether or not the ball is an IFF?

Did you read 6.05(l)?

There is nothing that leads me to believe that effort has anything to do with it. I was discussing this with a softball umpire, who claims that he would not call an IF if the fielders did not move. I was wondering whether there was some accepted interpretation (or latitude) for baseball beyond what the rule states (I had not heard of any, but I was just making sure).

blufferdad,

Well, I’m not an umpire, but IMHO if he wouldn’t call an IFF because the fielders didn’t move, I’d say he was wrong. But then again, I don’t know what the softball rules say.

I know it doesn’t make sense that when something is in black and white it would be so difficult to interpret, but it is. That’s why we have lawyers and judges.

In the case of baseball rules, there’s a lot more to it than what we read in the rules. If there wasn’t, umpires wouldn’t have to spend so much time going studying the rules, and those in charge of the umpires would spend so much time telling them how they wanted the rules interpreted. Us mere mortals don’t often get to go to one of the professional umpire schools where MLB dictates how the want the rules interpreted, then send out memo after memo to make sure everyone “gets” it.

Folks like us look in the rule book then make a more often than not interpretation based on our experiences and understandings rather than what the owners of the various teams want, and we’re very often wrong. In the case of an IFF or really anything else for a local game, in order to get the real skinny, you’d have to get with the assn. the umpire is with, and find out from them how they instruct their umpires to do it.

One of the most confusing aspects of the IFF is that it is a "defensive" rule that impacts the team in the field.  It is quite the opposite.  The rule is designed to prevent the offensive team from ending up in an "easy" double play. 

As a long-time coach, I have spent countless inning coaching third base.  I took it as my duty to remind my runners that IFF is "in effect".  It was two-fold.  First, it was to remind my runners that they are not forced to run no matter what happens once IFF is called.  Second, and most important, it was to gently remind the base umpire(s) that IFF is an option and should be called when applicable.  I wanted the benefit of the doubt, not the other way around.  My definition of "ordinary effort" was far broader because offensively I was trying to AVOID the double play.  Ball not in the infield?  No problem because you can still call IFF under the rules.  In other words -- CALL IT -- because you just did me a favor!

Most coaches view the play from the defensive point of view.  As an offense oriented coach, I recognized the advantage this provided, so I made sure my runners knew about IFF, and I made sure the umpire was prepared to call it.  Most base umpires will give a subtle signal to the home plate umpire to acknowledge IFF.  

I am glad to see you instruct your players. On occasion I ask high school players to tell me the infield fly rule. You would be surprised what I get.

Over the weekend went to watch a friend call... a good umpire. Anyway he called an IFF that was correct with no outs bases loaded... anyway when it was all said and done triple play. Well and these two women and a guy start yelling about what is happening on the field what was called and so on...  No coaches are saying a word they understand. So he comes back to he fence to get his water (101 degrees) and slowly looks up into the stand and asks very politely. "Show of hands... Who can tell me what the Infield Fly Rule is?" The guy sitting next to these 3 who is with them calmly says... I got it they all understand now... my buddy says thanks and goes back the the game..  it was pretty funny to hear this people yelling at the umpires and then being told that they didn't understand..

I've got a rising sophomore in college baseball and a rising senior in high school softball. I have told many stories from the bleachers here, but there are many more. I was considered a "bleeping genious" before I can here and really started to learn the rules. Some of the things you hear are truely amazing.

surprisingly the number one thing I find that HS players and coaches don't know about the IFR......is that it is a live ball.........