Infield Fly - Only it isn't

[pnewton]

13yo AAU game - R1, R2, 1 Out.  I am on bases, my partner signals IFF situation, I signal back, everyone on the same page!  First pitch to next batter makes it to the backstop and runners advance.  Second pitch is popped up near 3B for what should be a routine play by F5.  Suddenly I hear my partner "Infield Fly, Batter's out!".

 

The ball was not caught but thankfully landed and stayed foul (ignore that the verbal should have said "If fair").  We had to summon the batter back from the first base dugout because he ran there when he was called out, I will say he had to have hustled pretty hard to get off the field that quick.  My question is how should we have handled this if the ball had been fair?

[renegadewolf]

Let your partner explain why he called the infield fly if the coaches come out screaming, after all at what precise point does that pop up constitute an actual infield fly?  It's a judgement call.  While I agree that all umpires aught to be in agreement when it is called, fact of the matter is in his judgement it appears as though the conditions for IFF were met.  You have R1, R2, you have ordinary effort and you have a self described "pop up" seems pretty easy in my book

[JaxRolo]

You simply fix it by putting BR at first

[Mad Mike]

Did you guys "wipe off" the IFF situation by giving each other the new sign (since the runners advanced on a passed ball). That might have helped your partner not make a mistake of calling IFF.

 

I agree with JaxRolo.....you put the BR at first. If any other runners advanced, they would be entitled to do so.

[HeadHunterLA]

Let your partner explain why he called the infield fly if the coaches come out screaming, after all at what precise point does that pop up constitute an actual infield fly?  It's a judgement call.  While I agree that all umpires aught to be in agreement when it is called, fact of the matter is in his judgement it appears as though the conditions for IFF were met.  You have R1, R2, you have ordinary effort and you have a self described "pop up" seems pretty easy in my book

Uhhh, might want to re-read the OP

[renegadewolf]

The dangers of replying to a post first thing in the "morning", occasionally you miss things (like a pitch that goes to the backstop for example), apparently quite like the OPs partner.  Own up, fix it (put batter at first) and carry on and try not to make such a bone headed mistake again

[Thunderheads]

It seems repetetive, but ... wiping off the IFF is something I like to do just as a reminder ........  so far, the OP hasn't happened

[mstaylor]

I did it years ago on that exact play. I always wipe it off.

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[AmackNH]

wipe the infield fly or get ready to "wipe" after the S***storm

[noumpere]

Play stands that doesn't mean BR gets first.

[Dannytheman]

Just to let you know, I have done this twice, and once was this year. No excuse, I lost my concentration during a 17-4 game. (No 10 run rule) Having the partner wipe off is a great additional mechanic that can save embarrassment. Unfortunatley I was working alone, and had no partner, so I fixed it and moved on.

[coachump4]

Had this happen this year also as my BU called it with runners on the corners.  The only thing you can do is let the play playout and go with whatever happens.  Even though it was a messup the teams and players need to know the rules of when an infield fly is called.