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I just read Becky Davidson's article entitled "Understanding the Infield Fly Rule". In it, she makes many great points. However, it seems that her article does not address one of the most perplexing situations that oten occurs in softball:
Situation: R1 and R2, less than 2 outs. High, short fly hit behind F3. F3 back peddles and is ready to make an easy catch about 30 feet behind the baseline and well into fair territory. Just then, she is called off by F9 who was playing quite shallow anyway. F3 yields to F9 who also makes an easy play of it.
Easy this an Infield Fly?
It was not hit in the infield.
It was not caught by an infielder.
It was not even caught by an outfielder who was positioned in the infield.
In my opinion - this is an Infield Fly.
The ball could have been caught using an ordinary effort by a fielder who was positioned in a typical infielder position.
That's the criteria!
The fact that it was ultimately caught by an outfielder is not a factor because it could have just as easily been caught by an infielder making an ordinary effort.
The fact that the ball would have dropped have dropped into what could reasonably described as "short rightfield" is also not a factor. If an infielder can CAMP under a ball from a normal infield position ... it is an Infield Fly, pure and simple.
I think those simpler points were lost in her article. She made it sound more complicated than it is.
Bottom line: If a fly ball could have been caught by a fielder using an ordinary effort from a typical infield position (whether or not that fielder elects to make the catch or not) ... then it qualifies as an Infield Fly.
The only exception to this is a standard exclusionary provision: If numerous players converge and all appear intent on catching the ball ... the umpire should withhold the call until the situation stabilizes - which may involve a more belated call /or/ no Infield Fly call at all.
David Emerling
Memphis, TN
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