Infield Fly in Wild Card Game

[johnnyg08]

Originally Posted by Ump29

IMO the infielder was not using ordinary effort in attempting to make the catch.

At the major league level, (which you have to consider) this was a pretty ordinary play.

[tmagan]

Give credit to MLB Network, they showed a play from May 16th in Wrigley where the 'infield fly rule' was called at nearly the exact point that it was in tonight's game.

[Carl Childress]

Originally Posted by Ump29

IMO way too deep for IFF.

The umpire saw this: The infielder drifted back, turned to face the infield, did the sweep (Stay away !) signal. That's when the umpire must decide.

Now, those runners are not running. The fielder was perhaps 60 feet from third base. Are you trying to say that a runner can get from second to third before a ball thrown by a professional can trevel 60 feet?

I agree if it had been high school, perhaps even college, that would probably not have been called. But this was a big league call for a big league game.

[Steve Meyer]

Originally Posted by Carl Childress

The umpire saw this: The infielder drifted back, turned to face the infield, did the sweep (Stay away !) signal. That's when the umpire must decide.

Now, those runners are not running. The fielder was perhaps 60 feet from third base. Are you trying to say that a runner can get from second to third before a ball thrown by a professional can trevel 60 feet?

I agree if it had been high school, perhaps even college, that would probably not have been called. But this was a big league call for a big league game.

Holbrooke waited until the ball was less than a split second from hitting the ground before he called the IFF. What were the other five umpires looking at, and/or waiting for? This was the first time I've ever seen an infield fly called this deep, and I hope it is the last.

[GA Umpire]

Originally Posted by Steve Meyer

Holbrooke waited until the ball was less than a split second from hitting the ground before he called the IFF. What were the other five umpires looking at, and/or waiting for? This was the first time I've ever seen an infield fly called this deep, and I hope it is the last.

The other 5 waited to see the one whose responsibility to call that area make a call. He waited until ALL criteria was met for the IFR to be in effect. Until then, nothing to call. It was on time and appropriate. All criteria was met, both "technically" and "spiritually".

[Steve Meyer]

Originally Posted by GA Umpire

The other 5 waited to see the one whose responsibility to call that area make a call. He waited until ALL criteria was met for the IFR to be in effect. Until then, nothing to call. It was on time and appropriate. All criteria was met, both "technically" and "spiritually".

Okay, call it when the infielder was camped under the ball. Not when the F6 moves away, and the outfielder isn't even close............Holbrook blew it, plain and simple.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Steve Meyer

Okay, call it when the infielder was camped under the ball. Not when the F6 moves away, and the outfielder isn't even close............Holbrook blew it, plain and simple.

Hmmm....he WAS camped under the ball.

JJ

[youngump]

Originally Posted by JJ

Hmmm....he WAS camped under the ball.

JJ

Who was camped under the ball? F6 didn't ever make it out to where the ball landed. That's what the not ordinary effort camps whole point is. At least as I understand it. He didn't have time to check his F7 and get under the ball.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Steve Meyer

Okay, call it when the infielder was camped under the ball...

I'm sure he tried to. The problem was, as soon as it appeared F6 was under the ball, he immediately bailed.

[GA Umpire]

Originally Posted by Steve Meyer

Okay, call it when the infielder was camped under the ball. Not when the F6 moves away, and the outfielder isn't even close............Holbrook blew it, plain and simple.

As soon as F6 was slowly stepping back and calling for it, that is ordinary effort. Oh look, it doesn't say he has to be "camped" under the ball or stationary. He just has to show ordinary effort to get to the fly ball. Holbrook called it according to the rules, plain and simple.

[Steve Meyer]

Originally Posted by GA Umpire

As soon as F6 was slowly stepping back and calling for it, that is ordinary effort. Oh look, it doesn't say he has to be "camped" under the ball or stationary. He just has to show ordinary effort to get to the fly ball. Holbrook called it according to the rules, plain and simple.

(edit)

If you still think he was protecting the offense, both runners moved up very easily after the ball struck the ground.

[nopachunts]

Originally Posted by Steve Meyer

Okay, call it when the infielder was camped under the ball. Not when the F6 moves away, and the outfielder isn't even close............Holbrook blew it, plain and simple.

And the SS waved his arms signaling to his teammates that I have the ball. Correct and good call. If the SS had done his job and caught the ball, this discussion, the one on the softball board, and the one on umpire.org would not be taking place.

102 responses is enough, I think this horse is dead already.