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Originally posted by WestMichBlue
why give them an automatic out?
Because a fly ball on the infield should be an out. It is what the defense deserved for successful pitching. When we start getting judgmental about fielders positions, directions of movement, athletic ability, wind conditions, etc. we lose track of the fact that a ball may fall to the ground and still give the defense a chance for two outs. Runners are still going to be trapped at their bases by the fly ball. Defenders can recover from bad positioning and throw to two bases fasters than runners can cover that distance.
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Really?? Just how high does the ball have to be to qualify for an infield fly? Is it possible that the ball just isn't high enough for the players to get to it?
Yes, it is. There you go, a fly ball in the infield that is not an IF.
Call it or not, I don't care, it is YOUR judgment.
Quote:
Our apex judgment should not limited to whether or not the ball can be caught, but to whether or not an uncaught ball can be turned into a DP. If we are going to judge where defenders are located, then we must also judge how far the runners are off base, how fast they are, and how close defenders are to taking a throw at a base.
I understand the technical nit-picking that is going on here, but I am more inclined to call an infield fly an out period rather than risk a DP.
WMB
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You don't risk ****. If it is a deke by the defense, you can always apply it after the fact if you messed up. If the ball was not caught and a runner advances safely, leave them there. If the ball is not caught and the runners are doubled up, apply the IF and return the runners.
If the ball is caught, it doesn't make a difference, does it? If a coach doesn't like it, tough, that's the rule.
This is one of the easiest rules in the book. Why do so many over-think the issue by trying to prove there is a problem. The only problems with this rule are those of confidence.