Quote:
Originally posted by etbaseball
[B]The IFF rule certainly appears to be much more controversial than it should ever be. I can't believe that so many of you cannot find common ground and provide guidance and understanding to those that seek you advise and counsel. A fly ball comes off the bat and you have probably less than 3 seconds (waiting for the apex) to determine and declare if its appropriate to call IFF. It's not automatic, if it were, then umpire judgement would not be necessary.
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"So many" can't agree? Almost everyone (except WBFoolin' and you) agree. Call the infield fly (with the proper configuration of runners and outs) if the ball will fall on the infield grass.
Quote:
Originally posted by etbaseball
Peter (HHH) mentioned that he was involved in an NCAA game on a very windy day and still never hesitated declare an IFF. I too, have had the occassion to make this judgement (college game and very windy 20 - 40 MPH) and chose not to invoke the IFF rule. Both of us may have been correct in our judgements. When a towering infield fly started out over the third baseman's head (apex) and actually hit the ground between the second and first basemen, some 130 odd feet away, I knew that there was nothing "ordinary" about it. Even at this level of play, fly balls on this day were providing nothing but frustration for all players who were attempting to catch any fly ball. No objections, no arguments from either team.
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I don't know where the game of "no objections" occurred, but you would not get that reaction in a "real" baseball contest anywhere I ever called. You are saying that a ball the third baseman looked to catch dropped on the other side of the infield where two other infielders should have looked to make the same catch. I hope you don't take offense, but the ordinary effort of any umpire would have resulted in a call of IF. Reason? On occasion, when you fail to make the correct call, the defense will benefit greatly. Then you'll be in a pickle. Talk about fairness....
[Edited by Carl Childress on Oct 28th, 2002 at 08:00 AM]