Infield fly vs. an intentionally dropped ball

[tkrochta]

I'm not a rule guru, but I always thought that the infield fly rule was pretty simple. As it turns out it is, but another rule came up in tonight's game for 11 and 12 year-olds.

I got the following out of the NSA rule book online, but I think it's the same as what the ump showed me out of his ASA rule book. (Since I can't get an ASA rule book anywhere)

Under NSA Rule 7 "Batting"
Sec 9 "The batter is out:"
Subsection "e" states:
"If a fielder intentionally drops or lets drop a fair fly ball, including a line
drive, and an attempted bunt which can be caught by an infielder with
ordinary effort with 1st, 1st & 2nd, 1st & 3rd or 1st, 2nd & 3rd bases
occupied with less than 2 outs.
EFFECT: The ball is dead, the batter is out and baserunners must
return to the last base touched at the time of the pitch. This does not
apply to an infield fly; the dropped ball remains alive on an infield fly.
NOTE: A trapped ball shall not be considered as having been
intentionally dropped."

What's the difference between an infield fly and this?
Doesn't this mean you can't have an error with first base occupied?

Our umpire tonight called an infield fly with only first base occupied. He pointed to this rule as support for the ruling. The ball fell between the pitcher and short-stop without being touched.

Is the difference that an infield fly is called immediately (with 1st and 2nd occupied) and this other rule is applied only when a player OBVIOUSLY and DELIBERATELY muffs a catch?

Todd

[Edited by tkrochta on May 24th, 2004 at 11:39 PM]