For an IF to be called, it's totally irrelevant as to where the Infielders are standing or positioning themselves. The "ordinary effort" is a judgemental definition which does not refer to the actual physical talents of a specific ballplayer. Infielders may station themselves anywhere in fair territory, including standing against the home run fence if they're so inclined to do so. Or all fielders can "shift" to one side of the field for a known "pull" hitter. Or playing in close in anticipation of a bunt. The fact that the batter hits a popup over an area where an actual fielder is not positioned doesn't alter a call of "Infield Fly". In the scenario given, I would have treated it the same as if no Infielder had attempted to catch a routine popup in an Infield Fly situation, and called an "Infield Fly".
Jerry
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Thu Oct 17, 2002, 10:53am
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