Infield fly that wasn't

[law_reb]

R2 and R3 with 1 out.  Pop fly just into the grass between 1st and 2nd base.  Both F3 and F4 are calling for ball.  Base umpire points to sky and yells "infiled fly".  Fielders run into each other and the ball falls to the ground.  R3 scores, R2 to third base, Batter/Runner ends up at 2nd base.  F4 standing in infield holding the ball and all runers are standing on bases.  Base umpire realizes he has called infield fly when he should not have, but appears he's hoping no one noticed.  If you are the plate umpire what do you do now?     

[GreyhoundAggie]

This is one of those situations where you just have to eat it.

 

The ball isn't dead on an infield fly. It's the fielder's responsibility to know the situation as well.

 

No do-overs, the play stands.

[Jocko]

In Fed, the situation makes the IFF not the call.

[cyclonehokiece]

EDIT: I'm an idiot, read whole OP before posting mods delete post if you can

Edited March 5, 2013 by cyclonehokiece

[sdix00]

What does "eat it" mean?   It may be obvious, but for the purpose of answering the OP, I think a ruling would be in order.

 

Both sides are staring at you and the monkeys on the other side of the fence are going berserk.   

[sdix00]

In Fed, the situation makes the IFF not the call.

 

In this situation, the situation also makes the call, in any code. 

[cyclonehokiece]

Doh, misread OP.  Fix the obvious error, umpire screw up (brainfart), no rule backing.  BR stay at 2nd, there was no IFF.  You are going to have an argument by defensive coach, try to diffuse.  May lead to an EJ.

[Guest]

R2 and R3 with 1 out. Pop fly just into the grass between 1st and 2nd base. Both F3 and F4 are calling for ball. Base umpire points to sky and yells "infiled fly". Fielders run into each other and the ball falls to the ground. R3 scores, R2 to third base, Batter/Runner ends up at 2nd base. F4 standing in infield holding the ball and all runers are standing on bases. Base umpire realizes he has called infield fly when he should not have, but appears he's hoping no one noticed. If you are the plate umpire what do you do now?

Go pull BU out of the hole he has crawled into, and eat crap from the DC because it will definitely be 'your fault' the ball dropped uncaught and everybody advanced. No do-over, play stands.

[GreyhoundAggie]

What does "eat it" mean?   It may be obvious, but for the purpose of answering the OP, I think a ruling would be in order.

 

Both sides are staring at you and the monkeys on the other side of the fence are going berserk.   

Exactly what it means.

 

You explain that you mistakenly called IFF. There is no IFF, play stands. And hope someone isnt ejected over the foot in the mouth we now have.

 

It sucks, but that's the only fix you have. You can't have a "do-over"

[law_reb]

Defensive coach asked for time and came to me, plate umpire, and asked, "What about the infield fly call?"  I responded, "Ben, I didn't have an infield fly.  Runners were on 2nd and 3rd."  He said, "OK."  And we went on with the game like nothing happened.  Driving home I kept running through scenarios in my head as to how things would have gone had he pushed the issue.  We all knew my partner had called it, and we all knew he realized right after calling it he should not have.  Luckily, it had no effect on the play or the game.  Also this particular coach keeps a very cool head.  We have a few coaches that could have blown this up for sure given the right circumstances.

[GreyhoundAggie]

That's nice it happened like that. A lot of coaches might have jumped in your grill.

 

The fact it didn't affect the play probable made a big difference.

[Jocko]

I had a partner call IFF with R1 R3 no outs once. As soon as he called it OTHC yelled out "It's not an IFF!" Play continued without a peep. Smart coach.

[NFUA_44]

I did this about 5 years ago in a local JV Tournament.  It had to be a HC who I had a bit of history with, but is also a pretty solid coach and has a pretty reasonable grasp of the FED rule book.

 

The history wasn't to great, I had dumped him the year before for overboard argument and showing me up so I was thinking this could get ugly, but he surprised me.  When he came out he quietly told me he knew I had blown it and couldn't change a thing about the play, but he was out here doing his job and fighting for his team.  I told him as long as the "fight" remained quietly between us we could all move on in peace.  He took 15 seconds to tell me his displeasure with me having booted the call and quietly returned to his dugout.    Saw him during the regular season and as my partner and I entered the field he walked up, said hello and as we made our way to the plate took the time to look at me and give me the signal (umpire signal) for IFF with nobody out, with a wink and a nod!  One of the funniest things I've ever had happen to me on a field based upon my total screwup.  He became the V coach the following year and I've seen him a few times, it's never been discussed or brought up again, but it's always a funny story to tell.