[2rad4u]

Would you call this one IFF?

High School game, one out, runners on 1st and 2nd. First baseman is holding the runner so he is at the bag.

Batter hits a pop fly down the first base line that is going beyond first base. Initially it looks like it might go foul, but it ends up landing on the chalk line 3 or 4 feet into the outfield grass. It was fairly high, but no player was able to get to it.

It lands on the line, fair ball, runners advance with no throw.

I didn't call IFF because, to me, the book requires ordinary effort, and this was a trouble ball from the start.

My partner thought it should have been an IFF, but he didn't call it either.

The rule is intented to protect the runner. I don't see the need to use it to reward the defense who never got a glove on the ball, and didn't even make an out on the play at all.

What do you think?