Infield Fly -- When is too early or too late?

[BrianDawn95]

Tonight I was the BU. With runners on 1st and 2nd, 1 out. Batter hits a pop-up to the First Base side. It looks like the ball wont make it passed the dirt, so I call "Infield Fly." Unfortunately for me, the ball -- due to wind and spin -- ends up 20 feet beyond the dirt and the F9 -- running in -- misses the ball. F3 could have it with relative ease, but backed off when F9 called him off.

After the fact, I was really second guessing myself. That ball carried WAY farther than I thought it would.

My question is: when is it too late to call the Infield Fly?

Edited June 11, 2009 by BrianDawn95

[BT_Blue]

It is really NEVER to late to call it as long as its called correctly. And by the way, you called it correctly. An outfielder CAN catch an IFF. What you are looking for is if an infielder can make an easy (no extra ordinary effort) play on the ball. Sounds like you did it right.

Now when do you WANT to call it? The rule books (all of them) say you should call it at the appex of flight. Also remember that if the pop up is close to the line you should declare "infield fly IF FAIR".

[BrianDawn95]

It is really NEVER to late to call it as long as its called correctly. And by the way, you called it correctly. An outfielder CAN catch an IFF. What you are looking for is if an infielder can make an easy (no extra ordinary effort) play on the ball. Sounds like you did it right.

Now when do you WANT to call it? The rule books (all of them) say you should call it at the appex of flight. Also remember that if the pop up is close to the line you should declare "infield fly IF FAIR".

F3 would have had a fairly easy play on the ball. F9, however, has his hands full. I called the IFF at the apex of flight - as you said. It was just that the ball carried father after that than I thought it would. I feel a bit better now.

As an side, F9 whined at me after the play was over. Ironically, he was complaining that he could have thrown the R out at 2nd!! He was not very respectful when he said, "AWWWWW UMP!!!!!!!" I called time and had his manager come out to RF. After he arrived, I explained the IFF rule to the F9, and also told him I'd EJ him if he yelled at me like that again. The manager said, "Thanks for explaining that to him, Blue."

[blindumpire99]

Another good idea is to wait until the ball has reached its apex and when it starts on its way down--then call IFF. Esy to misjudge the balls location sometimes if you call it before it has "peaked".

[noumpere]

I called time and had his manager come out to RF. After he arrived, I explained the IFF rule to the F9, and also told him I'd EJ him if he yelled at me like that again.

WTF? It's not your job to conduct a rules clinic (unless this was some "developmental" league where it is specifically part of the job). Just tell F9 to knock it off.

[LMSANS]

Isn't wind a factor in determining "ordinary effort"? It sounds like a windy day and depending on the level of the players, I may not judge ordinary effort.:smachhead:

[therefump]

.

My question is: when is it too late to call the Infield Fly?

First off, NEVER. Secondly, the easier way if your not sure is to point skyward (unless you're in Australia) w/o saying anything and let the cards fall as they may. You can always correct as soon as the ball hits the field.

:crybaby2:

[noumpere]

First off, NEVER. Secondly, the easier way if your not sure is to point skyward (unless you're in Australia) w/o saying anything and let the cards fall as they may. You can always correct as soon as the ball hits the field.

Why would you point without saying anything? How is that different from pointing and saying something (or saying and not pointing, or, ....)?

If you're going to call it, call it. If you're not, then don't. It's your judgment.

If you miss the rule (you forgot that first was occupied, for example), then, yes, it can usually be corrected under OBR. But pure judgment? I'm not likely to correct that.