Whenever an Infield Fly is *not* called, and no double play results, it is difficult to make an argument about how somebody was dealt an unfair blow by the hit *not* being called an Infield Fly.
In your case, there was no double play - so, it's difficult to say that it was an unfair ruling since the whole point of the Infield Fly Rule is to prevent cheapo double plays.
Sure, in your scenario, it might seem that R1 was unfairly dealt with. But the fact of the batter is that *somebody* can expect to be out on a hit like that. It should be the batter, but, in this case, it happened to be R1.
Quote:
Originally posted by PeteBooth
Originally posted by Gre144
|
I think the infield fly should only be invoked if the routine fly would not allow either r1 or r2 to advance easily if the fly were to be dropped. It seems to me that the infield fly is appropriate when the defense player is well underneath the ball, but the ball pops out of his mitt.
Greg I'm trying to visualize this. You said softball which means 60 ft. diamond - ball between F5 and F2. On a 60 ft. diamond, that's routine enough for me. Anytime you can call the IF call it -it's one out closer to going home
The rule states "ordinary effort" which is judgement. In addition we need to know if these are kids that shave or not. We are not Krescan and it's not our job to know in advance that the defense is going to misplay the ball. If the kid shaves and he is near enough to make the catch - IF
If the kid doesn't shave, then he / she has to be right under the ball. It all boils down to judgement of the term "ordinary effort" but anytime we can get an out - take it.
Pete Booth [/QUOTE]