This happened yesterday. 13-18 rec game using ASA rules. I'm solo. Bases loaded. 1 out. Wind is howling and whipping through the field. Batter hits a pop up toward pitcher which would normally be an easy out. With ball at its apex I call IFF (coach later says he didn't hear, more on that later) and just then a huge gust of wind blows and the balls starts driting toward the 1st base line. I immediately add "if fair" and wait. Ball hits ground 3 feet fair starts rolling toward line and at the last second pitcher picks up ball on the line (fair). I point and verbalize again "IFF, batter out". Pitcher throws to catcher who tags girl comming home (for some reason). 3rd out. Coach screems they didn't hear IFF("doesn't matter, I said it. Maybe the wind?"). Then he says "you didn't call that until the pitcher picked up the ball". "That was the 2nd time I called it coach" says I. More grumbling but life goes on.

Should I have verbalized the IFF the 2nd time when pitcher picked up the ball? I was trying to be clear on a close call but maybe the verbalization the 2nd time wasn't proper mechanics. Ideas?

Little Jimmy,

If called and signalled, does not matter. However, always
be careful of calling IFF in windy conditions. Wind should
always be considered when the IFF situation is possible. It
can be very to hard to judge, as you found out. Since all the
factors of IFF were there, and you called it, it was in effect.

What did you yell the first time? "Infield Fly!" or "Infield Fly, Batter's Out"

I realize your sitch had initial confusion as you didn't think there was a chance for it to go foul, and then all of a sudden it did have a chance... Usually if blatantly fair, I yell "Infield Fly, Batter's Out!" Then no need for a second call. If close, it's "Infield Fly if Fair!" and then when it turns out to be fair, "Batter's Out!"

Little Jimmy,
In an obvious infield fly situation, it must assumed the offensive team also knows the rules.
You were fine.
The third base coach should go stand in the corner.
mick

When IFF Conditions are met, IFF would have been in effect even if you hadnt called it.

Sounds like you did good.

Personally I dont coach them with different caveats on a IFF call.

They gotta know the rule.

mcrowder,

"Infield fly, batters out" was the initial call with "if fair" added when the tornado blew through. I was probably thinking too much when I repeated the call as the pitcher touched the ball. Not all situations are neat and clean.

Little Jimmy,
"...If fair" is merely moot.
Whether you call it, when you call it, or not call it will not affect a thing. :)
mick

I agree. I was merely (poorly) trying to ask if you'd already said Batter's Out. If you did, then batter's out. You don't need to say it again, and coach has no leg to stand on.

Saying "batter's out" means absolutely nothing and has no bearing on the play.

I saw this in the Similar Threads list and was fascinated by who responded. :cool: :)


Also, 2 personal friends out of 6 posters, 11 years ago. :)

11 years ago? I remember that play like it was yesterday:rolleyes:

The rest of us have shorter memories, or you forgot 4018 days. :D

semi-hijack...

NCAA JUCO game, IF situation, lazy pop fly directly toward 2B. F6, starting halfway between 1B & 2B, drifts casually to be there just as it comes down (as in "not camped out under it"). Neither of us signal IF.

Reviewing afterwards, there could have easily been a collision with the runner on 2B, causing a dropped ball. Then chaos would've ensued.

Seems like a perfect situation in which IF could be called after the fact...

"drifts casually to be there just as it comes down" looks like ordinary effort

Why are a possible collision or chaos or "after the fact" factors in the call?

Oh, any number of things, not all of which would necessarily be correct.
Defensive coach will want INT.
Offensive coach will want OBS.
Runners might begin running.
Runner from first only might start running.
Ball might be dropped, picked up and thrown out of play.
Multiple rundowns might occur.
A hawk flying overhead might drop a dead chipmunk in the path of a runner. (And the offensive coach will want OBS.)

Yah... any of that.