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The infield fly rule simply states that if there are less than 2 outs, with 1st and 2nd occupied or the bases loaded, any fair fly that can easily be caught by an infielder is an infield fly; the batter is automatically ruled out thereby removing the force on the runners. It is not a dead ball and the runners are free to advance just as on any other fly ball, i.e. they must tag up if the ball is caught, tag-up is not required if the ball is not caught. The runners are not required to run even if the ball is dropped.
The purpose of the rule to to protect the offense from an easy double play by the defenses who, by letting the ball drop uncaught to the ground, could easily throw out the runners who must stay close to their bases in anticipation that the ball would be caught. it is NOT intended to "award" the defense with an easy out.
SamC
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