Wind During IFF

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by HugoTafurst

The sun's location and effect is known and predictable, the effect of the wind (as in this case) was not.

That may be true. But why would the truth of that have anything to do with whether a ball is catchable with ordinary effort? If the location of the sun and the ball are such that the ball is not going to be easy to catch, why would you not take that into account?

The only difference between sun and wind is that you, the umpire, knew in advance that the sun might be an issue, whereas the wind probably took you, the umpire, by surprise. But that shouldn't change our decision making process.

[tcannizzo]

Had one this past weekend. I was BU in C, PU called IFF at the top of the relatively high fly. At the time IFF was called, I thought the ball would land just a few feet to my left, but by the time it came down it landed about 10 feet directly behind 2B, where ball hit ground just out of F6's reach, probably 10 feet away from where I thought it would land.

The wind was definitely a factor, but the wind is so unpredictable, I don't know how to account for it. Wind can start and stop on a dime. And it can go both ways making a fly ball harder - or easier to catch.

I am inclined not to consider the wind, except in some TWP.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by tcannizzo

Had one this past weekend. I was BU in C, PU called IFF at the top of the relatively high fly. At the time IFF was called, I thought the ball would land just a few feet to my left, but by the time it came down it landed about 10 feet directly behind 2B, where ball hit ground just out of F6's reach, probably 10 feet away from where I thought it would land.

The wind was definitely a factor, but the wind is so unpredictable, I don't know how to account for it. Wind can start and stop on a dime. And it can go both ways making a fly ball harder - or easier to catch.

I am inclined not to consider the wind, except in some TWP.

And if F4 or F8 had been nearby where it descended; instead of F6, how would you have applied "ordinary effort"?

[tcannizzo]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

And if F4 or F8 had been nearby where it descended; instead of F6, how would you have applied "ordinary effort"?

Not sure I understand your question. Actually in this case, both F8 and F4 ended up being nearby. But I apply "ordinary effort" prior to the catch/no catch being made, not with the benefit of hindsight. In my sitch, this looked like a very easy play at the top of the fly ball.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by tcannizzo

Not sure I understand your question. Actually in this case, both F8 and F4 ended up being nearby. But I apply "ordinary effort" prior to the catch/no catch being made, not with the benefit of hindsight. In my sitch, this looked like a very easy play at the top of the fly ball.

I was wondering the same thing, actually.

The rules says it applies when an infielder CAN make the play with ordinary effort ... not that an infielder DOES make the play. If F6 can make this play, but F8 can too ... we still have IFF.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

I was wondering the same thing, actually.

The rules says it applies when an infielder can make the play with ordinary effort ... not that an infielder DOES make the play. If F6 can make this play, but F8 can too ... we still have IFF.

What it really says is when, in the umpire's judgment, an infielder can catch the fly ball with ordinary effort. The umpire's manual also states that this should be called at the ball's apex. So, if the ball goes up and, IMJ, an infielder can catch that ball with ordinary effort, I make the call, I don't wait for it to come. And, yes, the player's position and posture along with possible help from my partner will be taken into consideration, but again, I'm not waiting for it to come back to earth to make the call.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

What it really says is when, in the umpire's judgment, an infielder can catch the fly ball with ordinary effort. The umpire's manual also states that this should be called at the ball's apex. So, if the ball goes up and, IMJ, an infielder can catch that ball with ordinary effort, I make the call, I don't wait for it to come. And, yes, the player's position and posture along with possible help from my partner will be taken into consideration, but again, I'm not waiting for it to come back to earth to make the call.

JMO, but I think the guidance in the umpire's manual on calling the IFF at the ball's apex is for "normal" circumstances. When you have anything extraordinary like significant weather conditions, I feel you really should wait and see. A lot can happen (as it did in my game) as the ball comes down. I cannot justify ruling IFF when the fielder can't get to the ball even if she dove for it.