Infield fly not called

[justanotherblue]

Originally Posted by mbyron

You're using the wrong test. If the ball COULD have been caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, the we rule IFF. It doesn't matter whether the player actually catches the ball.

Yes and no. For instance, infield in, expecting a bunt, batter slashes and hits a pop up near the outfield grass line, 4 feet fair. F5 is unable to get near the ball to make a catch. Had he been playing in his normal position, an infielder COULD have caught this ball with ORDINARY effort, however becasue he is playing up, this is far from ordianary effort, and NOT an IFF. The intent of the rule is to protect the offense as has been stated, however by simply calling IFF because a fielder, (not just an infielder) COULD have caught the ball doesn't make it an automatic call.