Infield Fly?

[jicecone]

I don't, won't and never have done softball however, unless softball has some rule otherwise, baseball rules for an infield fly, NEVER, I repeat NEVER, apply to any type of line drive.

As already stated, a fielder intentionaly dropping a catch results in a dead ball and runners return. Of course there is nothing to prevent the fielder from letting the ball fall to the ground or hit him first and then making a play, but getting the right bounce out of the ball afterwards may not be as easy as one would think.

Take the out.

[kylejt]

By definition, a fly ball is one that is hit high in the air. That's your first judgment for calling the IFF.

So, was the soft liner hit high in the air? Yes/no? There's your answer. What a slow pitch softball umpire might answer is anyone's guess.

[greymule]

I have umpired many softball games (ASA, FED, NCAA). There would be no IFF on the soft liner described in the OP. All softball codes also prohibit intentional dropping of the ball (though a fielder can allow a ball to drop untouched).

However, unlike in OBR, in ASA a fielder can deliberately guide the ball to the ground, as with a closed glove or his body. So F6 could knock the soft liner down and try for a double play. I haven't seen a fielder try that in actual play, however.

[youngump]

Originally Posted by kylejt

By definition, a fly ball is one that is hit high in the air. That's your first judgment for calling the IFF.

So, was the soft liner hit high in the air? Yes/no? There's your answer. What a slow pitch softball umpire might answer is anyone's guess.

In softball the definition of a fly ball is different. It calls for a ball that rises appreciably in the air.
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[kylejt]

Originally Posted by youngump

it calls for a ball that rises appreciably in the air.

That's funny.

[Forest Ump]

Slightly off topic. The shortstop on my men's softball team tries this trick all the time. That is dropping the ball on a line shot hit to him with runners on. Occasionally he gets away with it and bags two. Most slo-pitch softball umpires are poorly trained. Not all but most IMO.