The infield fly rule is normally called under two circumstances. The infield fly rule in baseball and softball prevents a player from intentionally dropping or not catching a pop fly in certain situations in order to get two or three outs instead of one. Oct 12, 2012 baseball s infield fly rule has sparked more legal fascination than any other rule in sports. To begin, the rule can only come into effect when the following conditions are met.
The umpires declaration of an infield fly means that the batter is out and all force plays are removed regardless of whether the ball is caught. The umpires judgment must govern, and the decision should be made immediately. Case book material is printed in smaller type than the rule language and is labeled as. Want to learn more about a baseball rule, like the infield fly rule. Explanation of the infield fly rule little league baseball. The infield fly rule is a rule of baseball that treats certain fly balls as though caught, before the ball is caught, even if the infielder fails to catch it or drops it on purpose. Particularly at higher levels, a deep infield fly might be taken by an outfielder coming in. Baseballs infield fly rule has sparked more legal fascination than any other rule in sports. If on an infield fly rule, the infielder intentionally drops a fair ball, the ball remains in play despite the provisions of rule 6. Baseball rules, all of them, in one place baseball rules academy hosts the rules of baseball, at every level. Bravescardinals wild card game infield fly rule explained with 28yr mlb umpire jim evans duration. The important thing is recognizing when you are in an infield fly situation.
The comment in the baseball rule book that accompanies the explanation of the rule is whats most pertinent in tonights case. The original video on the infield fly rule had some confusing sections, hopefully this one will correct them. The infield fly rule dates back to 1894 and is covered under rules 2. Infield fly rule printerfriendly version an infield fly is a fair fly ball not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt which 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 infield fly rule steve os baseball umpire resources. Infield fly rule explained the infield fly rule takes effect on a fair fly ball that, in the judgment of the umpire, can be caught by an infielder, pitcher, or catcher with ordinary effort and when there are runners on first and second or first, second, and third and less than two outs. Apr 24, 2017 in 2012, the infield fly rule was thrown back in the spotlight by baseball analysts after the national league wild card game between the cardinals and braves. An infield fly is a fair fly ball not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when. Infield fly rule the infield fly rule is a simple and common, but occasionally misunderstood part of the game. The book describes important rules and comments on them, both in writing and with illustrations. The infield fly rule was put in place to prevent a defensive player from intentionally dropping a pop up in the infield and turning it into an easy double play, or even a triple play. Dont remember exactly what the infield fly rule is and the reasoning behind the rule.
Discussion of the infield fly rule in little league. Get free access to baseball forums, rules analysis and exclusive email content from current and former major league baseball players and umpires. Mar 10, 2020 a few important points about the infield fly rule. Drawing on interviews with experts, legal arguments and a study of every infield fly play in eight major league seasons, this book tells the complete story of the rule. If on an infield fly rule, the infielder intentionally drops a fair ball, the ball remains in play. Another oddity is the infield flys rule book contemporaries. The only other instance when the infield fly rule is called is when either runners are on first and second, or the bases are loaded. The infield fly rule is a rule of baseball that treats certain fly balls as though caught, before the ball is caught, even if the infielder fails to catch it or drops it on. The infield fly rule is the most misunderstood rule in baseball and perhaps in all of sports. The infield fly rule takes effect on a fair fly ball that, in the judgment of the umpire, can be caught by an infielder, pitcher, or catcher with ordinary effort and when. The infield fly rule takes effect on a fair fly ball that, in the judgment of the umpire, can be caught by an infielder, pitcher, or catcher with ordinary effort and when there are runners on first and second or first, second, and third and less than two outs.
Among major league baseball fields, rogers centre was the last stadium to maintain this type of configuration and was reconfigured with a full dirt infield starting in the 2016 mlb season. Little league coaches struggle to understand it, and the rule has even mystified professional managers at times. An infield fly is any fair fly ball not including a line drive or a bunt which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort when. Infield fly rule call mars cardinalsbraves wildcard game. It is a rule that is designed to prevent the fielding team from tricking runners and converting a double play or triple play off what should be an easy pop out. Baseball adopted the infield fly rule in 1895 so infielders could not let an easy. An infield fly is a fair fly ball not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt which 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.
In 2012, the infield fly rule was thrown back in the spotlight by baseball analysts after the national league wild card game between the cardinals and braves. Many called it controversial, saying mlb umpire sam holbrook erroneously ruled an infield fly on the play and costing the braves the game. The infield fly rule is a judgment call that umpires make based on a few factors of the specific play in question. A copy of this article may be downloaded in adobe acrobat format. Oct 06, 2012 the umpire must rule also that a ball is an infield fly, even if handled by an outfielder, if, in the umpires judgment, the ball could have been as easily handled by an infielder. May 02, 2020 the infield fly rule in baseball and softball prevents a player from intentionally dropping or not catching a pop fly in certain situations in order to get two or three outs instead of one. The rule refers mainly to popups, since line drives or weakly hit fly balls that fall to the ground immediately would not allow time for the defense to react fast enough to catch the baserunners offguard. Apr 06, 2019 bravescardinals wild card game infield fly rule explained with 28yr mlb umpire jim evans duration. An infield fly is a fair fly ball not including a line drive. The rule was first introduced by the national league in 1895 and only applied with one out. In flight describes a batted, thrown, or pitched ball which has not yet touched the ground or some object other than a fielder. Get free access to baseball forums, rules analysis and exclusive email content from current. In defense of baseballs infield fly rule the atlantic. The first one is when there are less than two outs.
This rule applies only when there is no more than one out, and only with runners on first and second, or all three bases. In addition to the official wording below, a link has been placed on the dizzy dean national website left hand column of every web page taking you to the sadler insurance risk management web page. Official rule and does not require a reader to refer to different sections of the official baseball rules book in considering the application of a particular rule. Aside the common law origins of the infield fly rule the1 infield fly rule 2 is neither a rule of law nor one of equity.
Sep 30, 2018 the infield fly rule, published by friesenpress, a printer of books by independent authors, is available through most major book distributors. Forgotten about exactly what constitutes runner interference and the penalty for it. We want to bring you the most uptodate, informative and exciting baseball information. The infield fly rule states that a fair fly ball in the infield, which, in the judgment of the umpire, could be caught with ordinary effort, is an automatic out, in order to prevent. Here is the way major league baseball defines the infield fly. The rule says that an infield fly is a ball that can be caught by an infielder, but that does not mean that it must be caught by an infielder. Whatever happens on the baseball field, you can immediately find your answer here. The important thing is recognizing when you are in an infield fly situation, and then signalling with your partner to ensure that youre both mentally ready to call it. This being said, the rule not being in place would unfairly place base runners at risk in the infield fly situation. Barron muses on evangelization, bob dylan and the infield. You are in an infield fly situation when two conditions are met. Dec 03, 2012 the original video on the infield fly rule had some confusing sections, hopefully this one will correct them. The official playing rules committee made the following changes that will be in effect for the 20 season.
It was put in place in order to prevent defensive players from dropping a fly ball hit to the infield on purpose in order to turn a quick double play. Become a part of the largest baseball rules community in the world. The umpire s declaration of an infield fly means that the batter is out and all force plays are removed regardless of whether the ball is caught. The infield fly rule in baseball is a judgement call by the umpire. The batter hits a pop up towards first base, but the first baseman misses the ball completely the ball is untouched by any defender. Baseball rules academy the rules of baseball, explained.
An infield fly is a fair fly ball not a line drive or bunt that, in the judgment of the umpire, can be caught by an infielder, pitcher, or catcher with ordinary effort and. Drawing on interviews with experts, legal arguments and a study of every infieldfly play in eight major league seasons, this book tells the complete story of the rule. Infield fly rule october 5, 2012 an infield fly is a fair fly ball not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, orfirst, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out. The rule exists solely to prevent the defense from executing a. Why it was an infield fly atl vs stl wild card game.
How baseball teaches americans about the law the atlantic. What is the infield fly rule and why do they have it. The infield fly rule, published by friesenpress, a printer of books by independent authors, is available through most major book distributors. An infield fly is a fair fly ball not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt which can be. Case book material in this edition are in shaded boxes and are labeled. Visit our frequently asked questions section to find solutions for your issues. An infield fly is a fair fly ball not a line drive or bunt that, in the judgment of the umpire, can be caught by an infielder, pitcher, or catcher with ordinary effort and when there are runners on first and second or first, second, and third and less than two outs.
This site is a must for umpires, coaches, and parents of little leaguers. When an infield fly rule is called, runners may advance at their own risk. The infield fly rule is one of the most misunderstood rules in the game of baseball. The umpire can retroactively rule the hit as an infield fly although he may not have said anything while the play was in progress. Dean shalhoups column appears sundays in the telegraph. Series of infield fly or potential infield fly plays youtube. An infield fly is a fair fly ball not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt which can be caught by an infielder. The umpire must rule also that a ball is an infield fly, even if handled by an outfielder, if, in the umpires judgment, the ball could have been as easily handled by an infielder. If the umpire fails to call an infield fly on a batted ball that should have been the runners and fielders are expected to know that it is an infield fly and treat it accordingly. This is normally called to put a stop to a double play. It returned to the national spotlight this past week when an unusual and controversial infield fly.
These cover various possibilities that may occur under the rule. The ball lands in fair territory, but due to the spin, it ends up rolling foul before first base. The infield fly rule explained why the infield fly rule is a must. Baseball not only has maintained its position as the national game of the. Of all the rules that are in the rulebook, the infield fly rule is perhaps the one thats the most difficult for people to visualize. The infield fly rule is an easy rule to understand if you can remember the purpose of the rule.
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