Infield Fly Rule

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by rbmartin

My question is, in deciding to declare an infield fly or not, should I consider the location of the ball and if there is a possibility of a double play or is my only consideration whether the ball "can be caught with ordinary effort"? Isn't the pourpose of the rule all about protecting the runner?
Anyway the shortstop booted the next play and home team won so life goes on.

Others have correctly told you that the question to ask is whether an infielder can catch the ball with ordinary effort. The likelihood of a team at a given level turning a double play is not relevant.

I will add that, if F4 is catching the ball, BU should initiate the IFF call. He's got the best angle on whether this will be ordinary effort for the middle infielders.

In general, whoever has fly ball responsibility should be initiating the IFF call, with partner echoing it. And note that, should nobody announce it, the rule is still in force and can be applied retroactively: the announcement is a courtesy to the players, and is not necessary to cause the BR to be out.

[BestUmp]

Originally Posted by mbyron

In general, whoever has fly ball responsibility should be initiating the IFF call, with partner echoing it. And note that, should nobody announce it, the rule is still in force and can be applied retroactively: the announcement is a courtesy to the players, and is not necessary to cause the BR to be out.

Ho Ho HO! I would well enjoy that nonverbal, post-IFF discussion.

Arbitrate, man, arbitrate, do not be shy of voice or action!

[Rich Ives]

The level of play and weather ARE considerations to use when declaring, or not declaring an IFF.

OBR 2.00 ORDINARY EFFORT is the effort that a fielder of average skill at a position in that league or classification of leagues should exhibit on a play, with due consideration given to the condition of the field and weather conditions.

So ordinary effort in LL and MLB are two different animals, with a sliding scale in between.

And if the wind is blowing the ball all over the place you may take that into consideration.

[BEAREF]

From the casebook...

10.2.3 situation G

10.2.3 SITUATION G

With R1 on second and R2 on first and no outs, B3 hits an infield fly, but the umpire fails to call "infield fly." Is the infield fly in effect or not?

RULING: Even though the infield fly rule was not announced by the umpire, it is still in effect. Both teams have the responsibility to know when conditions exist for an infield fly.

[DG]

Wind is a factor, sun is not. So if the wind is whipping around what might be ordinary when wind is not blowing is no longer ordinary.

But if he camped under it and caught it it was most likely IFF. If he could not get camped under it because wind was blowing around then no.

[jchamp]

Originally Posted by DG

Wind is a factor, sun is not. So if the wind is whipping around what might be ordinary when wind is not blowing is no longer ordinary.

But if he camped under it and caught it it was most likely IFF. If he could not get camped under it because wind was blowing around then no.

These are similar to the metrics that my assigners were promoting this year. If the infielder is sprinting hard or leaves his feet, that's not ordinary effort. Neither is trying to make a catch over your shoulder.
They didn't go so far as to state as much, but being able to at least start to turn the body towards the infield should be a good visual, if it happens in time to make the announcement.
I much prefer the infield flys that land between the third baseman and shortstop while both of them are looking at each other. With 8th graders, that's a very plausible play. (I had it Wednesday. )

[nopachunts]

Originally Posted by jchamp

I much prefer the infield flys that land between the third baseman and shortstop while both of them are looking at each other. With 8th graders, that's a very plausible play. (I had it Wednesday. )

I had it last night in HS Varsity only with F3 and F4.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

The level of play and weather ARE considerations to use when declaring, or not declaring an IFF.

OBR 2.00 ORDINARY EFFORT is the effort that a fielder of average skill at a position in that league or classification of leagues should exhibit on a play, with due consideration given to the condition of the field and weather conditions.

So ordinary effort in LL and MLB are two different animals, with a sliding scale in between.

And if the wind is blowing the ball all over the place you may take that into consideration.

I disagree, a fielder camped under an infield fly is a fielder camped. Level of play has no bearing. It is not our job as umpires to determine if a camped fielder can or cannot make the catch.

I do agree with the wind in that on a windy day, I would be inclined to be a little more careful on calling that infield fly if the fielder is moving around too much.

[DG]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

I do agree with the wind in that on a windy day, I would be inclined to be a little more careful on calling that infield fly if the fielder is moving around too much.

If it is real windy I discuss infield fly at pre-game.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Now I miss Windy.

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Now I miss Windy.

Elmo Sings a Special Song for Wendy - YouTube

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Others have correctly told you that the question to ask is whether an infielder can catch the ball with ordinary effort. The likelihood of a team at a given level turning a double play is not relevant.

I will add that, if F4 is catching the ball, BU should initiate the IFF call. He's got the best angle on whether this will be ordinary effort for the middle infielders.

In general, whoever has fly ball responsibility should be initiating the IFF call, with partner echoing it. And note that, should nobody announce it, the rule is still in force and can be applied retroactively: the announcement is a courtesy to the players, and is not necessary to cause the BR to be out.

I was trained in a similar fashion. This is how the pro school grads and pro umps in our association were teaching it:

• If the plate umpire calls "I've got the ball," or "I've got the line," he then will initiate the IFF call, declaring "Infield Fly, if fair."

• If the ball is inside the "pie" from F5 on over to F3, and it turns the BU around, then it's the BU primary call.

• If it in front of the BU, as near the plate/mound areas, then it belongs to the PU, with the BU echoing the call.

As you say, it is just a courtesy to announce it.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by sandiegosteve

i was trained in a similar fashion. This is how the pro school grads and pro umps in our association were teaching it:

• if the plate umpire calls "i've got the ball," or "i've got the line," he then will initiate the iff call, declaring "infield fly, if fair."

• if the ball is inside the "pie" from f5 on over to f3, and it turns the bu around, then it's the bu primary call.

• if it in front of the bu, as near the plate/mound areas, then it belongs to the pu, with the bu echoing the call.

as you say, it is just a courtesy to announce it.

+100....