Quote:
Originally Posted by CecilOne
Which is to protect runners from double plays.
Hence, my contention that the ordinary effort part is wrong and it should be proximity to the bases.
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Nope. You think an infielder cannot throw the ball 60-70 feet quicker than the runners can cover the same distance?
The primary point to this call is that it is a routine play for the infielder. And remember who starts the chain of events, the batter who couldn't do anything more than hit a pop up in the infield. But at the same time, that batter's teammates are given protection due to the poor performance.
Nope, the rule has been as it is for decades and there is no valid reason to change it other than to enable the inept. At least, now the rule requires that the ball be routinely handled by an infielder. It used to be that the ball just needed to land in or near the baselines.