Infield Fly

[David Emerling]

You are correct. Whether the players, by their confusion, make the play more confusing, is NOT the standard by which an Infield Fly should be called.

I think a better example would be a high pop-up during high wind conditions. If the fielder seems to be having difficulty "camping" under what would normally be a routine fly, then the umpire should certainly delay his Infield Fly call until such time that the fielder stabilizes under the ball. If the fielder never stabilizes - I may just let it drop with no call.

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Originally posted by David Emerling
The only exception to this is a standard exclusionary provision: If numerous players converge and all appear intent on catching the ball ... the umpire should withhold the call until the situation stabilizes - which may involve a more belated call /or/ no Infield Fly call at all.

Unless I misunderstand what you are saying here, I disagree with this. Whether the ball could be caught with ordinary effort is the criteria, not whether the defense mades a keystone cops play out of it. [/B][/QUOTE]