Infield Fly question

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by greymule

OK, justcallmeblue, now what should the call be if after the IFR is invoked, the fielder intentionally drops the fly ball and thus decoys the runners into attempting to advance, and one of them is put out?

The "intentionally dropped ball" rule can never apply when an Infield Fly has been called.

No matter how intentional or devious the actions are on the part of the infielder, the runners received all the information they needed when the umpire(s) bellowed out, "INFIELD FLY, BATTER'S OUT!"

They are not forced. The only way a double play can now occur is if one of the runners foolishly walks into a tag.

Can an infielder legally, and intentionally, drop a declared infield fly?

Yes!

David Emerling
Memphis, TN