[GarthB]

Originally Posted by Mark Dexter

Okay - so I thought I was finally starting to understand the IFF rule, but I was confused by a situation in today's Mets-Tigers game.

1 out, runner on 1st, when the batter hits a pop fly to fair territory right in the vicinity of 1st base. F4 comes over to field the ball, but he doesn't make the catch. F4 throws to F3 (who's on the bag), but the throw is late and the BR reaches first safely. F3 then throws to F6 (who's covering second) and forces out a very confused R1.

I thought that the BR would be out on an infield fly, and R1 would have to be tagged to be put out. Did anyone see the play? Alternatively, can anyone correct my misunderstanding of the rules?

If there was only R1, it was not an infield fly. IFF requires less than two outs and R1, R2 or R1, R2, R3.

From OBR 2.00 An INFIELD FLY

is a fair ball (not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out. The pitcher, catcher and any outfielder who stations himself in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose of this rule.

When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an Infield Fly, the umpire shall immediately declare “Infield Fly” for the benefit of the runners. if the ball is near the baselines, the umpire shall declare “Infield Fly, if Fair.”

The ball is alive and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught, or retouch and advance after the ball is touched, the same as on any fly ball, if the hit becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul.

If a declared Infield Fly is allowed to fall untouched to the ground, and bounces foul before passing first or third base, it is a foul ball. if a declared Infield Fly falls untouched to the ground outside the baseline, and bounces fair before passing first or third base, it is an Infield Fly.