Infield fly...ordinary effort?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Dakota

An IF does not have to land in the infield...

Sure it does (in ASA) assuming it lands!

"can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort" is the standard.

So, positioning of the infielders does matter. I will also adjust for the level of play, but not for the individual player, and certainly not for how the individual player reacts to the ball.

Why not? As Dave noted, if the fielders are playing up or charging, reversing direction and hauling *** to get the ball is most likely not ordinary effort. And if the fielder is camped, pounding his/her glove and calling the ball, there MAY be a good chance that you will rule an IF even if the ball comes down away from that player.

If the infielder has to turn and run out to catch the ball, it MAY not be ordinary effort.

That is often a great indicator.

But, in the end, it is your judgment.

Which is the hook as to why an umpire really shouldn't approach the IF call with any preconceived notions which may or may not have a bearing on the call. But you knew that, didn't you?