Braves now playing under protest on IFF call

[cyclonehokiece]

Just announced. Interesting mechanic to do it, hope someone can get the video. Normal wave at press box, draw P, point at Braves dugout.

[Jocko]

Beat me to it. I'm watching. Don't think the protest will work. Not textbook IFF, but F6 was indeed under the ball. Routine? Maybe.

[cyclonehokiece]

I don't see how it can work, it is judgment.

[mstaylor]

There is nothing to protest, it was an IFF situation, the conditions were present and it was called. When a clip becomes available the announcers were ridiculous. They were saying because it was a late call the runners were halfway instead of tagging. Do they not understand that normal flyball rules are in effect, that there is no difference except the batter is out whether it is caught or not.

The only reason it wasn't caught by the SS was because he moved from under the ball toward the infield.

[Jocko]

Holbrook called it very late, but to say ump has to call it immediately???? Really???

[cyclonehokiece]

Wish MLB had something like tournaments, pay the cash to the league :)

[ynot0002]

I agree that IFF rule needed to be called here. But the timing of the call was pretty late.

Call that baby out whenever F6 set up under it. Not 15 feet before hitting the grass.

[Jocko]

I don't think I would call it here. Way deep for F6. Of course routine effort for a pro is alot rangier. I don't disagree with the call, but I personally wouldn't have called it. The crew could have overturned this, but Holbrook must be adamant.

[Jocko]

Chipper was out. Winters gave him a retirement gift.

[ynot0002]

Holbrook called it very late, but to say ump has to call it immediately???? Really???

The OBR states: When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an Infield Fly, the umpire shall

immediately declare “Infield Flyâ€

Sure it was deep, but F6 did get there with ordinary effort.

[mjr_2013]

I agree with the call... Late signal yes, but how do we not know that U3 and U5 were yelling the whole time? 999 times out of 1000 in MLB it is a catch anyway. If we looked at clips from 1000 IFF's, I bet they don't extend their arm at the correct time on the majority, it just didn't matter.

And the protest? Not a chance.

I think the way that the Braves fans handled the situation was dispicable... I wish that they had cleared the stands, envoking 9.01© if neccessary... What a terrible way for Chipper to go out.

And those announcers need to just shut the f up... "Infield Fly Game" my ass.

[mstaylor]

Atlanta had 12 hits, 3 errors and 3 runs, the umpires did nothing to effect that game.

[mjr_2013]

These champagne celebrations are getting a bit out of hand.... Clinch a playoff spot, win game 163, win one game playoff, clinch division, win ALDS, win ALCS, win World Series... Seems like we're overdoing it....

[BRUMP]

I think this is the correct call and I completely support it. I believe that the majority of times that ball is caught and I think it's not a stretch to call that ordinary effort. As for the timing if you call it when you see it.

[mjr_2013]

Hmmm... Interesting note here... Looked up 6 man mechanics for S&G, and behold....

UR and UL never calls the Infield Fly Rule, balks, nor make any rulings on the batter or runners like obstruction or interference.

http://rvua.org/Webpages/Basic%20simple%20Four%20&%20Six-Man%20crew%20mechanics.htm .

Wouldn't affect a protest I don't think, but still interesting.

[BRUMP]

I was just thinking that. I remember your response when I posted about a LFU balking a pitcher at CDP that said "the umpires on the line have no infield responsibilities." No this will not affect the protest because you can't only protest rule misinterpretations and not substandard mechanics.

[Jocko]

Interesting. Richard will surely have something to say.

[CS-Blue]

I watched the replay several times and it looked to me the the third base umpire was calling the IFF at the same time as the LFU. So it may not have been a bad mechanic by LFU but just echoing the call in a loud stadium.

[cyclonehokiece]

Video

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=25336303&topic_id=39411232

[Jocko]

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/37973554/?cid=25336303&vref=hp

[CS-Blue]

LFU definitely called it first...

[JaxRolo]

From that clip there is no way that is IFF

IMHO

[JaxRolo]

From that clip there is no way that is IFF

IMHO

[BRUMP]

You can say that again.

[carolinablue]

This was ordinary effort at that level so I won't say it was a bad call but I don't think that I would have called it. It's all judgement but at some point it's going to be too deep to turn a cheap double play even if the ball is allowed to drop. That has to be judged as well. Spirit of the rule. MLB shortstops can go get em'.

That scene by the spectators was pathetic. I was pulling for them until then.