Infield Fly Rule

[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.