Either umpire on the field may verbalize the Infield fly.
Generally, when I am the Field ump, I will just signal, (point directly skyward) and not verbalize the IFF. I'll let my partner the plate man verbalize IFF call. The field guy has way too many things to watch, runners touching of bases, possible catch or letting it drop to catch some unsuspecting runner, runners advancing, collisions between runners & fielders, there is probably a myriad of other things that can be thought up.
If your partner got bent out of shape because he perceived that you stole his thunder, tell him to suck it up, dig his head out of the sand, and you are a team and need to work together. If he doesn't like it, tough s&^t, take charge and tell him to read his rule book section 9 for Umpire Responsiblities.
30 years of experience doesn't mean crap when you berate your partner between innings for something so trivial.
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