Infield fly not called

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by justanotherblue

And no, I'll keep it fielder, F6, goes out onto the outfield grass, using ordinary effort, he is 20' onto the outfield grass and he is comfortable under the ball. F8 comes in and calls him off making the catch. Still an IFF in my book.

Yes, that (your sitch) would be an infield fly, but who winds up catching the ball is irrelevant to that determination.

Under the "spirit of the rule," this (my sitch) clearly SHOULD be an infield fly. But under the letter of the rule, the only way it is an infield fly is if F7 is judged to be an infielder. I don't think it is a stretch to do that.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

Under the "spirit of the rule," this (my sitch) clearly SHOULD be an infield fly. But under the letter of the rule, the only way it is an infield fly is if F7 is judged to be an infielder. I don't think it is a stretch to do that.

I agree: if he's close enough to 3B to keep R2 from stealing, then he's an infielder.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by mbyron

I agree: if he's close enough to 3B to keep R2 from stealing, then he's an infielder.

Hence my statement about it being the umpire's decision. This is what we get paid for, people! Not calling balls & strikes but the real P.I.T.A. situations such as the one the Dash proposed!

[justanotherblue]

Which is why Jimmy says.....Sometimes you just gotta umpire...

Dash, I know the rule and I know the test. In fact, I usually do very well on them. I think we agree, were just hung up on the word fielder. In order for it to be an IFF, I understand the infielder with ordinary effort part of the rule, I also understand that any fielder can catch it if the critera is met for an IFF. Or to quote Jimmy one more time.....Sometimes you just gotta umpire.

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by justanotherblue

Which is why Jimmy says.....Sometimes you just gotta umpire...

Dash, I know the rule and I know the test.

jab: I have no doubt you do. Previous gratuitous comment withdrawn and edited out (with apologies).