Infield fly vs. an intentionally dropped ball

[Steve M]

Originally posted by LDUB
So does a player have to touch the ball to intentionally drop it?

In order to intentionally drop the ball, the ball must be caught - not just touched. Remember ASA's book states that "Merely guiding the ball to the ground should not be considered an intentionally dropped ball." In order to guide the ball, the ball will be touched. In order to intentionally drop the ball, the ball must be caught and then intentionally dropped. Let's call the intentional drop a voluntary release.