Infield Fly Discussion on MLB Network

[Thunderheads]

I love MLB Network, but ..... this kind of thing has to stop.  I'm going to the hospital now to see if I can get some medication for my BLEEDING EARS!!!!!    

[UmpJeff]

Aye, aye, aye...I used to think Billy Boy was a smart baseball guy.  Key phrase "used to"...SMH!!!

The bottom line is...players should know the rules under which the game they play is governed. Period. (I know that's a lot to ask, so don't shoot me.)

Alcohol, Jeff.  Alcohol.

[Thunderheads]

@UmpJeff  ..... it's 5 oclock somewhere!!

[JHSump]

The level of the MLB network "expert" discussion of rules and umpiring is generally no better than what you would get if you took three random Joes off the street. But maybe that is what the MLB network is shooting for. I can imagine two actual random Joes in a bar somewhere, watching this exchange on the MLB network. One turns to the other and says, "Didn't I just say that last week!?" The other replies, "You did! You did!" Then they both agree the MLB network tells it like it is.

This sort of discussion by the "experts" there makes me wonder if the *rest* of their discussions of baseball (e.g., playing, strategy,...) are also ill-informed.

I do like that they show lots of games.

[Thunderheads]

The level of the MLB network "expert" discussion of rules and umpiring is generally no better than what you would get if you took three random Joes off the street. But maybe that is what the MLB network is shooting for. I can imagine two actual random Joes in a bar somewhere, watching this exchange on the MLB network. One turns to the other and says, "Didn't I just say that last week!?" The other replies, "You did! You did!" Then they both agree the MLB network tells it like it is.

This sort of discussion by the "experts" there makes me wonder if the *rest* of their discussions of baseball (e.g., playing, strategy,...) are also ill-informed.

I do like that they show lots of games.

agree!

however ........... MLB network NEEDS a retired umpire to help out in situations like this!  If you're going to do it right, ....DO IT RIGHT!

 

[UmpJeff]

agree!

however ........... MLB network NEEDS a retired umpire to help out in situations like this!  If you're going to do it right, ....DO IT RIGHT!

 

TOTALLY AGREE!  I've said that all along.  They need to cover the complete game.  Not just the players perspective.  If they had a "resident" umpire, it would increase the average fan's, and the damn MLB Network analyst's, baseball rules knowledge 10-fold.

Edited August 21, 2015 by UmpJeff

[noumpere]

I didn't find these announcers as annoying as some -- but I admit I didn't listen to the whole thing.  It was clear that the pone was just expressing an opinion about the rule -- he knew what the rule was -- and certainly there's room for discussion on that.

[maven]

One MLB player brain farts and we need a rule change? Uh, no.

Most of what they say is right, though. IFF is intended to prevent cheap double plays.

Love the part about Omar Vizquel intentionally allowing IFF to fall untouched, to see whether he could get another out. One of the smartest players I ever watched, and nobody had more fun in pro baseball. Viquel, who won Gold Gloves in both leagues, grew up playing baseball in Venezuela, and he didn't get a baseball glove until he was 16 or something.

[stkjock]

how many of you gents do verbalize that if's IFF?  I would also think in a MLB park with a good crowd, even if verbalized, the runners may not hear it?

[johnnyg08]

I verbalize, but they likely never or rarely hear it.  The situation determines IFF, not what the umpire says/doesn't say, does/doesn't do.  

 

 

[stkjock]

I verbalize, but they likely never or rarely hear it.  The situation determines IFF, not what the umpire says/doesn't say, does/doesn't do.  

 

 

of course and it's incumbent on the players/coaches to know that, particularly on the MLB level

[noumpere]

how many of you gents do verbalize that if's IFF?

Almost all of us.

[maven]

Almost all of us.

I hope you're right. All of us should.

[Thunderheads]

I hope you're right. All of us should.

I do

[indianaumpire15]

Yes Billy, let's change a rule that not everyone has taken the time to learn to something else that they won't take the time to learn.

[UmpJeff]

I hope you're right. All of us should.

I do...loudly.

[ElkOil]

I do...loudly.

Me too.  It's probably my loudest verbalization.

[noumpere]

The thread would be a lot shorter if only those who DO NOT verbally make the call would respond.

[grayhawk]

Dollars to doughnuts, I would bet the PU called "Infield fly, if fair" when he put his hand up.  You can also see him reinforcing the out call on the BR to further reduce confusion on the field.  Let's not make up rules to protect idiots like R3.

Yes, I loudly verbal IFF.

[TheRockawayKid]

"Prevent cheap double plays." It's not a cheap double play when a runner starts running when he's going to be out by a mile. And proposing that an infield fly be a dead ball situation? Well, that's just stupid. What's next? A foul fly caught should be a dead ball too? 

[DVA7130]

"Prevent cheap double plays." It's not a cheap double play when a runner starts running when he's going to be out by a mile. And proposing that an infield fly be a dead ball situation? Well, that's just stupid. What's next? A foul fly caught should be a dead ball too?

Or balks should be an instant dead ball

[Platejob29]

I hope you're right. All of us should.

Why? If all the most advanced umpires in the world when using the most advanced mechanics possible don't verbalize anything unless the play turns on it's head with a dropped ball why should we? You can make just as strong of a call if you don't give a verbal until the ball drops. I'm sure I'll get tons of replies on how that's completely wrong and we should always verbalize everything but I wanted to throw this out there for anyone who would like to learn an advanced mechanic and doesn't like working like an amateur ball robot.

[Jimurray]

Why? If all the most advanced umpires in the world when using the most advanced mechanics possible don't verbalize anything unless the play turns on it's head with a dropped ball why should we? You can make just as strong of a call if you don't give a verbal until the ball drops. I'm sure I'll get tons of replies on how that's completely wrong and we should always verbalize everything but I wanted to throw this out there for anyone who would like to learn an advanced mechanic and doesn't like working like an amateur ball robot.

I think we need a new verbal: "Infield fly, stay on your bases":)

[basejester]

Why? If all the most advanced umpires in the world when using the most advanced mechanics possible don't verbalize anything unless the play turns on it's head with a dropped ball why should we? You can make just as strong of a call if you don't give a verbal until the ball drops. I'm sure I'll get tons of replies on how that's completely wrong and we should always verbalize everything but I wanted to throw this out there for anyone who would like to learn an advanced mechanic and doesn't like working like an amateur ball robot.

Why? Because the players need to know.  Why not?

PBUC Umpire Manual says to verbalize.  Jim Evans' Maximizing the Two-Umpire System says to verbalize.

[johnnyg08]

Dollars to doughnuts, I would bet the PU called "Infield fly, if fair" when he put his hand up.  You can also see him reinforcing the out call on the BR to further reduce confusion on the field.  Let's not make up rules to protect idiots like R3.

Yes, I loudly verbal IFF.

I really liked the mechanic of reinforcing that the batter/runner was out.  I've never seen/noticed that mechanic before.  If I remember, I will incorporate that into my game.