Infield fly rule
 

Had a couple of plays yesterday with 1st and 2nd , 1 out, B1 hits pop up over 1st base with F3 running out making the catch with his back to infield. Same situation later in game with F9 coming in calling F3 off, to make the catch.
How would you rule this?

In both instances the crucial judgment call is whether the fly ball "can be fielded by an infielder with ordinary effort." This us usually HTBT.

If the infielder has to turn around to run out for the catch, and makes it running away, then I'm generally not calling an infield fly. That's more than "ordinary effort."

The second case is probably an infield fly: I'm envisioning a high pop fly, with F3 backing up and F9 calling him off. Still, many of these will be HTBT.

Edited to add: if the second situation is the same as the first, then it's still not an infield fly, no matter who catches the ball. I was thinking of a different case.

mbyron is correct. How did you rule on these plays?

I ruled no infield fly for the reasons Bryon commented as no ordinary catch. The second situation involved F3 running out in short right field while being called off. Judgement was the key factor here and explained it to the defensive coach. Thanks guys for your input.

The key words in OBR is "ordinary effort". I would think that there are few times when an INFer has his back to INF that "ordinary effort" prevails.

F9 is a completely different sitch. OF can be held to the IFR if the IF is high enough, the OF has enough chance and the INF has been waived off or failed to properly playhis position.

I had two games last season in which there were two infield flies called in the same inning.

Not unusual. Makes for easy innings :D

Maybe this will help you out when trying to decide to call an IFF or not. Was there an infielder, or outfielder calling him off the ball, comfortably under the ball. If the answer is yes, then you most likely have an IFF.

Deej, imagine that there exists a world where you are correct? :D :D

"Cats and dogs sleeping together..."

One of few OBR's that have endured the times is this concept of ordinary effort. Way back when, players would routinely allow infield flies to drop to ground. Rs who were unable to logically advance in this fly ball situation, were forced out at the base ahead.

Masterminds as they were, comin fresh off beating the Redcoats, the Infield Fly Rule prohibited defensive players from thisw subterfuge.

With this history, and logical thought, in the umpire's logical head, ordinary effort becomes the milestone for Infield Fly Rule decision making.

Would thia be the same world where you don't have your multi and I have to escort your a$$ and CFI your logs?

Yes, that would be the same one, Frick. Excuse me while I, Frack, calendar your women who pay no attention to you, they see strait through you, come to my side for comfort. :D :D
Go to bed, long days ahead.

1100 and you? Velocity XL and you?

Roger wilco and flyboy talk back at ya'.

IFF has to be judged by one criteria only. Ordinary effort.

Pray you get more of them.