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Originally posted by spots101
Bases loaded, no outs. Batter hits fly ball high enough for IF but the problem is that F6 is playing deep, isn't the most athletic kid on the team, and can't get to the ball before it hits the ground. I call nothing based on 3 words in the IF rule which states "with ordinary effort". What happens next is that F6 throws to F2 for the force at home, F2 throws to F5 for the force at third and F5 throws to F4 for the force at second. Triple play. Basically no one moved.
My question is, did I turn this into a 3rd world play by NOT calling the IF. I felt I did what the rule states by looking for ordinary effort but does that usually apply to balls hit over the fielders head on the grass instead of right on the infield? IOW, you look for the fielders shoulders to be square to you (when he's running out to get the ball) in order for it to be considered ordinary effort.
Thanks for your help.
First and foremost the IF is to protect the offense against the defense getting an EASY DP or maybe a TP as your thread suggets.
With that in mind, IMO some umpires get bogged down on the ordinary effort part. IMO the reason that wording exists is because it's possible to call the IF when the ball is NOT in the infield but that would require a infielder to be right underneath the ball.
Whenever we have R1/R2 and R3 when the ball is popped up in the infield, they have to remain stationary to the bases or at most maybe a step or 2 off the base depending upon where the pop up is.
Therefore, if you don't call the IF and the ball lands anywhere near an infielders reach it's an almost certain DP. So whenever the ball is popped up in the infield with the IF in effect CALL IT because to do otherwise gives the defense an Advantage not intended by the rules.
Also, defenses are smart and if you don't call it they will start to play possum meaning PRETEND they don't have a clue where the ball is or they can't catch it with ordinary effort just so they can get the easy DP.
NOTE: My answer is based on ball for kids who shave.
Pete Booth
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Peter M. Booth
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