Quote:
Originally posted by greymule
Even if I had called IFR, if the ball had gone over the fence, as it almost did with the freak wind currents we had that day, I'd have ruled it a HR. The rule that says a ball going over the fence in flight is a HR would outweigh the rule that says the batter is out when the ump calls IFR (to me, anyway).
And of course I'd have taken heat.
The ASA book says to call IFR at the ball's highest point. At that point (which in this case was way the heck up there), F6 was about 30 feet onto the outfield grass, facing the infield and yelling, "I got it." Then he just kept going farther and farther back.
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I believe a fair, untouched ball which leaves the field of play could be corrected as the defense possibly relaxing or making another play based on the umpire's call would be non-existent. However, in any other circumstance, I think you have to eat the "judgment" call. Freaky things happen and you cannot cover every little thing with a specific caveat.