intentionally dropped ball

[Guest Christopher]

Recently saw a play in MLB, where a pitcher intentionally (clearly) refused to catch an otherwise easy popup bunt.  As I read the rule, anytime a player "intentionally drops" a ball to create a double play. It is a dead ball, batter-runner is out and runners return to their base. In This play, this did not happen and the defense scored a double play. The argument was made, that because the pitcher never touched the ball before it hit the ground that the rule does not come into play. Is that the rule, does the ball need to be touched by the glove? Or is it Umpire judgement ( and in this case the umpire did not see the intentional drop) ?

[JonnyCat]

There is a difference in an "intentional drop" and letting the ball go uncaught.

A fielder is under no obligation to field a batted ball. A fielder can let a pop up fall to the ground untouched, without penalty.

Gloving the ball, and then dropping it on purpose is against the rules. Letting a fly ball hit the ground untouched is not against the rules.

[DevildogUmp]

Yes, defensive players can always allow a ball to drop untouched to the ground. The intentionally dropped ball (like IFF), is in place to ensure that the offense is not placed into a no-win situation and allow the defense to grab a "cheap" double play. Allowing the ball to drop untouched can be a gamble, since the ball could take a weird bounce leaving the defense with no play. Additionally, the "intentionally" part is the key - we are looking for a fielder to glove the ball and control it to the ground so they can quickly pick it back up and get that double play.

Matt

[MadMax]

IIRC – and I might need a citation on this – a bunt can never be intentionally dropped, in the same way a bunt can never be a IFF, regardless of how high it is popped up. 

[JonnyCat]

8 minutes ago, MadMax said:

IIRC – and I might need a citation on this – a bunt can never be intentionally dropped, in the same way a bunt can never be a IFF, regardless of how high it is popped up. 

I looked in the WRIM, but I couldn't find anything. I'll keep looking, but I don't recall ever hearing about this. Let us know if you find anything. Maybe a different rule-set?

[Senor Azul]

2021 OBR 5.09(a)(12) A batter is out when…An infielder intentionally drops a fair fly ball or line drive, with first, first and second, first and third, or first, second and third base occupied before two are out. The ball is dead and runner or runners shall return to their original base or bases.

APPROVED RULING: In this situation, the batter is not out if the infielder permits the ball to drop untouched to the ground, except when the Infield Fly rule applies.

Please note that OBR rule 5.09(a)(12) lists only fly balls and line drives but bunts in flight are included by interpretation. The 2013 Wendelstedt manual has a definition that might be helpful—

An Intentionally Dropped Ball is a fair fly ball, including a line drive, which is intentionally touched and dropped by an infielder with runners on first, first and second, first and third, or first, second, and third base. Any outfielder who positions himself so close to the infield as to easily benefit from the ball being intentionally dropped shall be considered an infielder for the purpose of this play.

[Jimurray]

5 hours ago, MadMax said:

5 hours ago, MadMax said:

IIRC – and I might need a citation on this – a bunt can never be intentionally dropped, in the same way a bunt can never be a IFF, regardless of how high it is popped up. 

 

5 hours ago, JonnyCat said:

I looked in the WRIM, but I couldn't find anything. I'll keep looking, but I don't recall ever hearing about this. Let us know if you find anything. Maybe a different rule-set?

There is no cite. A fly bunt can not be intentionally dropped or guided to the ground the same as a pop up or line drive.