Infield Fly Rule

[Cav]

Hypothetically asking... 

 

You're U3 on a three-man crew in the bottom of an extra-inning, tied game.  The bases are juiced with 1 out.  The infield is positioned to turn a DP.  The outfield has F8 shifted "right by 2B" and the other outfielders are mid-field in the alleys. 

 

Oh, it's game one of a twilight single that opens a championship series over the weekend.  The lights are on and the smell of sausage dogs is wafting your way.  The crew is staying at the local Budget Inn, but hasn't yet checked in.  The get-to traffic only allowed for a quick drive-thru fish sandwich several hours ago and now that isn't sitting all that well with you.  U1 has been goofing around since the get-go, odd-ball signs and stuff like that, trying to get you to lighten up, but his shtick just hasn't done it for you.  The crew chief is so high up the umpire food chain that you still can't believe he's working with you at this level.  And, you've got to pee.        

 

B5 lifts one high into shallow CF behind 2B.  (Did you already guess that?)

 

F4 goes back and drifts over while calling for the catch.  F8, too, drifts over and back, calling off F4 for the catch who gives up.  F6 covers 2B.  The batted ball reaches its apex.

 

Does the situation meet the criteria for the IFR?  As described and with the intent of the rule in mind, I say, yes, but some others (including that crew chief) have said, no.

 

 

 

[noumpere]

Hypothetically asking... 

 

You're U3 on a three-man crew in the bottom of an extra-inning, tied game.  The bases are juiced with 1 out.  The infield is positioned to turn a DP.  The outfield has F8 shifted "right by 2B" and the other outfielders are mid-field in the alleys. 

 

Oh, it's game one of a twilight single that opens a championship series over the weekend.  The lights are on and the smell of sausage dogs is wafting your way.  The crew is staying at the local Budget Inn, but hasn't yet checked in.  The get-to traffic only allowed for a quick drive-thru fish sandwich several hours ago and now that isn't sitting all that well with you.  U1 has been goofing around since the get-go, odd-ball signs and stuff like that, trying to get you to lighten up, but his shtick just hasn't done it for you.  The crew chief is so high up the umpire food chain that you still can't believe he's working with you at this level.  And, you've got to pee.        

 

B5 lifts one high into shallow CF behind 2B.  (Did you already guess that?)

 

F4 goes back and drifts over while calling for the catch.  F8, too, drifts over and back, calling off F4 for the catch who gives up.  F6 covers 2B.  The batted ball reaches its apex.

 

Does the situation meet the criteria for the IFR?  As described and with the intent of the rule in mind, I say, yes, but some others (including that crew chief) have said, no.

 

Option 1:  Call the infield fly.

 

Option 2:  Wait.  If the winning run scores, then it wasn't an infield fly.  If the defense lets the ball drop and turns two, then it was an infield fly retroactively.

 

Option 3:  I had a balk before the pitch *and* CI on the swing, so the game is over already.

[johnnyg08]

Without seeing it, it's tough to say for sure.

 

 

I'm inclined to get the IFF on plays like this.   

[Jimurray]

Would F4 have been able to catch the fly with ordinary effort before he was called off?

[JaxRolo]

If you judge that an infielder could have caught it with ordinary effort call it no matter who catches it!!!!

[maven]

If the infielder can get to the ball without turning his back to the infield, then it was ordinary effort.

[Cav]

Would F4 have been able to catch the fly with ordinary effort before he was called off?

 

U3 thought so.

[Cav]

If you judge that an infielder could have caught it with ordinary effort call it no matter who catches it!!!!

 

Correctomungo.  Thanks for playing and, more importantly, thanks for confirming that my mask is still working.

[Cav]

If the infielder can get to the ball without turning his back to the infield, then it was ordinary effort.

 

I don't have a problem with the fielder turning his back to get where he needs to be to set up for the catch, but he should be facing the infield when he's ready to catch the fly ball to demonstrate "ordinary effort."  Willie Mays-ing the catch over his shoulder would demonstrate to me extraordinary effort and not get the call, even if he were in the infield dirt.    

 

[ricka56]

I hope you learned your lesson...fast-food fish sandwich was a bad call.

[Jimurray]

Would F4 have been able to catch the fly with ordinary effort before he was called off?

U3 thought so.Did U3 shoot his right arm up (they never hear the verbal so I don't care if you verbalized)? Hopefully the catch was made and nothing ensued and you said yessir, yessir at the post brief to your CC. He will be found out sooner or later when he kicks something really big. Big dogs are not there for rules knowledge.

[Cav]

I hope you learned your lesson...fast-food fish sandwich was a bad call.

 

Just another example of how important timing is in umpiring.  Fast calls, fast food, et. al.; nothing but trouble for umpires.

[Cav]

 

 

Would F4 have been able to catch the fly with ordinary effort before he was called off?

U3 thought so. Did U3 shoot his right arm up (they never hear the verbal so I don't care if you verbalized)? Hopefully the catch was made and nothing ensued and you said yessir, yessir at the post brief to your CC. He will be found out sooner or later when he kicks something really big. Big dogs are not there for rules knowledge.

 

U3 signaled and called the infield fly.  F8 made a routine catch.     

[BretMan]

So what was the agrument for this not being an infield fly?

[Cav]

The crew, U3 specifically, was told that it "must be aware of who the 'outfielders' are on this play.  Even though he was parked in the 'infield,' he was not considered an infielder.  Therefore NOTHING should be called." [his emphasis]

 

Hypothetically, U3 couldn't just sit there and allow this "dressing down" on such a blatantly false premise without responding, whether permitted or not.  Even with the full knowledge that the crew would be together, eating, sleeping and working for the whole weekend, U3 waited until the air had left the chief's sails, stood up, looked him straight in the eye and unequivocally yet softly said, "Yes, sir." 

[johnnyg08]

The crew, U3 specifically, was told that it "must be aware of who the 'outfielders' are on this play.  Even though he was parked in the 'infield,' he was not considered an infielder.  Therefore NOTHING should be called." [his emphasis]

That is incorrect. Unfortunately, the "yes sir" comment by U3 likely saved his career at the local level.

[JaxRolo]

Sad situation!

[noumpere]

Print this out  (or if this wasn't a college game, print the equivalent from the other codes) and leave it in the UICs locker:

 

Infield Fly

SECTION 48.A fair fly ball (not including a line drive or an attempted bunt) that 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 is positioned in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose of this rule.In the case of a declared infield fly, the ball is live and runners may advance at their own risk.If a declared infield fly becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul.

A.R. If a player intentionally drops a fair ball, the ball remains in play despite the provisions of 7-11-q.The infield fly rule takes precedence.

[dlongbucco]

If the infielder can get to the ball without turning his back to the infield, then it was ordinary effort.

Why do you say this?  If a fielder turns his back and runs under a fly ball and is camped, I would still call an infield fly even though he turned his back to the infield.

 

If you go back about 4 years ago, when the Braves and Cardinals played in the 1 game playoff, the call of infield fly in shallow left field, I thought was the correct call, the shortstop was under it, then was called off and the ball dropped.  The defining characteristic here is could an Infielder have made the catch using Ordinary effort.  If you say yes then call the IFR.

[Thunderheads]

 

If the infielder can get to the ball without turning his back to the infield, then it was ordinary effort.

Why do you say this?  If a fielder turns his back and runs under a fly ball and is camped, I would still call an infield fly even though he turned his back to the infield.

 

If you go back about 4 years ago, when the Braves and Cardinals played in the 1 game playoff, the call of infield fly in shallow left field, I thought was the correct call, the shortstop was under it, then was called off and the ball dropped.  The defining characteristic here is could an Infielder have made the catch using Ordinary effort.  If you say yes then call the IFR.

 

Why is he saying that?   he's using that as an example for "ordinary effort"

[ZebraStripes]

 

If the infielder can get to the ball without turning his back to the infield, then it was ordinary effort.

Why do you say this?  If a fielder turns his back and runs under a fly ball and is camped, I would still call an infield fly even though he turned his back to the infield.

 

If you go back about 4 years ago, when the Braves and Cardinals played in the 1 game playoff, the call of infield fly in shallow left field, I thought was the correct call, the shortstop was under it, then was called off and the ball dropped.  The defining characteristic here is could an Infielder have made the catch using Ordinary effort.  If you say yes then call the IFR.

 

To the letter of the rule, the call was correct, much to my dismay.  To the intent of the rule...not a good one...but I'm a Braves fan.  I've talked to the plate ump, Marvin Hudson, from that game and he did say that to the letter of the rule it was the correct call.