infield fly mechanics

[kenabernathy]

lets talk infield fly mechanics.
Standard setting 1 out r1 and r2 batter pops to gap between f5 & f6 40' on out field grass f5 settling under I call infield fly then gust of wind carries ball another 40 or so feet making f5 turn and make catch not so normal should I stick with call since all signals are good between my partner and I or should we let play die and make appropriate changes

[Patrick Szalapski]

First of all, the post would have been much easier to read had commas and capitalization been used more effectively.

As for your question, if the runners-outs situation is correct (as it is here) and you make a call, you have simply exercised judgement and you should not change the call. Perhaps your judgment was poor, but take some solace in that it was at least reasonable at the time you made the call.

A very wise man once said: "The wind is a factor." You've got to take it into account when you determine "ordinary effort", not after.

P-Sz

[Edited by Patrick Szalapski on Apr 10th, 2001 at 11:56 PM]

[PAblue87]

If you called it, and then all of a sudden the ball was blown out 40 ft., that must of been one heck of a gust of wind. If the wind was blowing that hard from the beginning of the play, you should have taken that into account. Also, it seems that you may have called it too early, see the ball at the apex, then make the call.

[umpyre007]

Originally posted by kenabernathy
lets talk infield fly mechanics.
Standard setting 1 out r1 and r2 batter pops to gap between f5 & f6 40' on out field grass f5 settling under I call infield fly then gust of wind carries ball another 40 or so feet making f5 turn and make catch not so normal should I stick with call since all signals are good between my partner and I or should we let play die and make appropriate changes

Wind can be used, prior to the calling of the infield fly, for purposes of establishing ordinary effort. Sun is not to be used. After determining that the infield fly can be caught using ordinary effort and the call is made, stick with the call.

[Jim Porter]

Originally posted by kenabernathy
lets talk infield fly mechanics.
Standard setting 1 out r1 and r2 batter pops to gap between f5 & f6 40' on out field grass f5 settling under I call infield fly then gust of wind carries ball another 40 or so feet making f5 turn and make catch not so normal should I stick with call since all signals are good between my partner and I or should we let play die and make appropriate changes

You learned an important lesson. When there's considerable wind, wait as long as you can before determining that the ball can be caught with ordinary effort. There's no harm in waiting. It should never be called before the ball reaches its apex, but the umpires should wait as long as they have to before invoking the rule.

It's a fly ball, and the runners are holding their bases anyway. You can wait right up until the ball is about to be caught before invoking the rule, if you have to. The reason we call it verbally is for the benefit of the runners. The runners won't be leaving their bases until the ball at least reaches the fielder, either caught or uncaught.

There's no harm in waiting longer, there's great harm in calling it too soon.

Once you've called it, and conditions exist for it (1st and 2nd, bases loaded, less than 2 out), you can't take that back. It becomes a blown judgment call, just like a safe or out call with subsequent action. However, if you erroneously call it, and conditions did not exist for it, then play should continue as if you never called it.

In either case, circle the wagons, it's going to be a long game.

[oregonblue]

And if it is blustery, try watching the defense move to the ball, as I forgot to do the other day. Good thing the SS made the catch (over his shoulder)! R3 tagged and scored on this.

Pat

[dani]

The terminology regarding the infield fly that I have seen on the web and try to utilize is "comfortably set" under the baseball.

[Jim Porter]

Originally posted by dani
The terminology regarding the infield fly that I have seen on the web and try to utilize is "comfortably set" under the baseball.

_____________________

Dan,

This terminology comes from Jim Evans' School. That's exactly what he teaches.

However, he also teaches that, if there is considerable wind, the umpire must wait before determining if the fielder is comfortably set or not. It may appear that he is comfortably set, and then a gust of wind comes along carrying the ball out of the fielder's reach. If you invoked the rule at the time he appeared to be comfortably set, you may have blown it.

The wind is a factor, the sun is not.

[JJ]

When the wind is blowing hard, at my pregame with my partner we somewhat jokingly say, "No infield flies until the fielder catches the ball". In effect we're saying just what others here have already posted - there is no harm in waiting to make the call - the runners aren't going anywhere until they're sure it's caught or not caught.
BTW - we learn this axiom early in our umping careers - the wind is ALWAYS blowing here on the prairie in the Spring!

[mckissjl]

Windy day - but it was a steady wind, not blustery.

Bases loaded no outs, IFF - pitcher sets up underneath and has waved everybody off. The wind keeps moving the ball, but he's staying with it. I'm PU and call IFF at apex particularly after I hear the pitcher call for it. Sure enough it bounces off the end of the glove and the runners are off.

After all the dust has settled, a run has scored and we have 2 outs.

Offensive Manager is all upset, said he didn't hear me call IFF (probably true since the wind was making it difficult even to hear although my finger in the air should have been a clue), that the ball could not be caught with reasonable effort, yada yada.

My call Coach. Live with it.

Jerry

[JRutledge]

You can wait up until the last minute. All the infield fly rule does is help the runners, but they still have to tag up and if the ball is caught they must go back. Even if the ball is dropped, the runners do not have to tag up and can advance as normal. So on a windy day, use your best judgement. But do not be in a hurry to call it in those situations especially. You might get an argument on your hands.

Peace