[CecilOne]

For years, I have said and applied this about "infield fly":

The prime factor should be whether an uncaught fly ball would put the fielder playing it in a position for an easy force, because of the runners holding. That is the purpose and spirit of the rule and should be used to understand and apply it. If it CAN BE caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, then it should be an infield(er) fly; even if the play-making fielder is listed in an outfield position or comes from an outfield position to make a catch that an "infielder" could have made with ordinary effort. The origin, concept and point of the rule is to protect the runners.

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Another very knowledgeable umpire said: "I have always called the rule the way you have descirbed it."

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And another: "Purpose of Infield Fly Rule is to protect runners - it is called in favor of the offense. IT IS NOT A CALL MADE TO PENALIZE THE OFFENSE (CALL AN OUT). The rule is to keep the defense from getting an opportunity (by intentionally not catching a fly ball) to create a double play situation. It protects the runners by saying "YOU DO NOT NEED TO RUN - STAY ON YOUR BASE."

The infield is not bounded by grass or any other marking. It is the area that an infielder can cover (during the flight of the ball for this particular hit, by this particular fielder, from their particulr positioning for the hit). In the case of an infield fly, it is the area an infielder can cover with ORDINARY effort. What is important is that the fly ball must be hit (into this area) such that this particular group of infielders can catch it. ANY DEFENSIVE PLAYER may place themselves within that area to make a catch or not make a catch (Whether the ball is caught, or not, is not important - the batter has been declared out just as if the ball had already been caught.) An outfielder may call off an infielder and catch the ball. Runners leave their bases at peril of being played on and being put out. Even if the ball is not caught, they do not need to advance. The batter has been declared out; there is no forced advance."

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In spite of all that, a partner recently argued that a play should not have been an "infield fly" because the SS had to turn and reach to make the catch, even though she was only about 30 feet from 2nd base. Even if that was true, the call should be made long before the SS's maneuvers.
How do I get through to this person?