Quote:
Originally posted by Tim C
. . . that was my NEXT question as all three of us share the same off-line resources.
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Apparently not. You can find Bob's ruling in the BRD, Section 258: Fitzpatrick: The umpires must insure the intent of the rule is enforced: They must protect the offensive team from an "undeserved" double play.That could require a belated "infield fly" ruling and revocation of subsequent action. Fitz: "Above all, do not allow a double play that should not occur." The NCAA interpretation is the same. (Thurston, phone call to cc, 2/29/00)
Play: R1, R2, 0 out: B1 hits a towering pop fly on the infield. F4 moves only a step or two before settling under the ball. Inexplicably, the umpires fail to declare the infield fly. At the last moment F4 steps back, and the ball falls to the ground untouched; both R1 and R2 attempt to advance. F4 recovers the ball on one bounce, tags R1, and throws to third in time for a tag of R2 sliding in.
Ruling: In FED, the defense has secured a triple play. In NCAA and OBR, because the umpires failed to declare the infield fly, the defense has recorded an “undeserved” double play. Therefore, the umpires must declare a dead ball, rule B1 out on the infield fly, and return R1 and R2 to TOP.