Obviously, you need to call time more to speed things up. ;)

OK, I call IFR based on the average player in that level. If it's a popup right behind 2nd - that's obviously an easier for a HS player than a 10yo. There's no way you can call it based upon the ability of individual players. (At least IMHO.)

Can't call time . . . I'm too busy waiting for the pitcher to try to pick off the runner.:D

The rule also say could be and not will be.
Not debating the general concept of adjusting for ability, just not adjusting for laziness or brain-freezes.

I don't think it is relevant as either requires the umpire to assess the situation and apply his/her judgment.

Uh oh, now you've gone and done it:p

The rule also does not say anything about ordinary effort from the fielder making the play, but rather could be caught with ordinary effort. I doesn't say "could be caught with ordinary effort by the closest player" or anything to that effect. That's where the umpire's judgement to what is ordinary effort comes into play, and my general rule is that it must be ordinary effort for an average player of that skill level.

I don't think its fair to judge ordinary effort by the best or the worst player on either team or even in the league. Ordinary effort for Derek Jeter is just about anything within a mile of his position, but for Travis Hafner's level of mobility (there is a reason he is a full time DH) we are looking at 2 feet. So you can't apply D. Jeter's ordinary effort to Hafner or the other way around. To maintain uniformity just go with the average players ability and you'll have it good judge of ordinary effort. That's all I have to say about that.

I've done LL softball at Regional level in two age brackets. No big deal.

I don't give a shirt about "ability." If fielder is under the rock and facing the plate, it's an IF.

Have we forgotten that the basis for this rule is to prevent the cheap DP? If F6 muffs it, can she pick it up and get an easy force or a DP? Then it's an IF, IMHO.

To wit: I once knew a less-than-diligent ump who (working the pads) jumped in and made a "safe" call on a (tag-up) appeal play at 3B when dish ump should have called it. When I (more or less his assignor) questioned this after the game, he said, "No big deal. The runner would have made it home anyway, the fly was so deep."

Same fawlty logic, methinks.

Ace in CT

Speaking ASA

Actually, the rule DOES state "ordinary effort".

Rule 1 - INFIELD FLY.

A fair fly ball, not including a line drive or an attempted bunt which can be caught by an infielder, pitcher or catcher (thank you, very much) with ordinary effort when first and second or first, second and third bases are occupied with less than two outs.

"Herndon seems to be bothered by insects at the plate. I don't know what species it is. Maybe it's an infield fly."

....... Hank Greenwald, San Francisco Giants announcer, 1981