Bunted Infield Fly
 

I had a situation last night where the batter attempted a bunt that popped up quickly toward the pitcher. It only went up about 10’ and the pitcher had to hustle to try and make the play but missed it and the ball spun to foul territory. All requirements for IF were in place and satisfied. When the defensive coach asked why I did not call infield fly I explained it to him and he was satisfied.
My question is….is it possible to call infield fly on a ball that is bunted to a pop up and is high enough to be considered to be a routine fly ball?

Thanks

Assuming ASA...

Read the definition of an Infield Fly. :)

Not even 'ruling' that you felt this was a bunted ball. a foul ball cannot be an infield fly. (which is why we say 'infield fly , if fair' when a fly batted ball could be caught with normal/ordinary effort meeting the requirements of the IFF rule)

There's no rule set out there for any game that's played on a diamond with a bat, ball, and four bases, that has an infield fly rule in their rule book, and that rule set allows the infield fly rule to be in effect on a bunt. If there is....I'd love to hear about it.

An infield fly is a fair fly ball, not including a line drive or an attempted bunt, which can be caught by an infielder, pitcher or catcher with ordinary effort when first and second or first, second and third bases are occupied with less than two outs.

Read the part that I have bolded. Prior to that, you mention " the pitcher had to hustle to try and make the play but missed it." Now, go read the IFF rule, as has been recommended by others, and you will see that not only was the bunt an issue here, but that even if it were a proper hit, you still didn't have the requirements for an IFF met.

If the ball was bunted, it can't be an IF.

That's how I remember it.

As the others have stated, the requirements for the IFF rule were not satisfied because of two reasons: 1) it was a bunted fly ball and 2) it wound up being a foul ball.

And, it was the DC who came out asking for the IFF rule to be invoked. Why? Because they were looking for a cheap out. Keep in mind, this rule is not in place to benefit the defense. It is intended to protect the offense from a undeserved double play.