INFIELD FLY RULE

Rule 5.09(a)(5) - A batter is out when… an Infield Fly is declared.

Definition of Terms: An INFIELD FLY is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out. The pitcher, catcher, and any outfielder who stations himself in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose of this rule. The ball is alive and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught, or retouch and advance after the ball is touched, the same as on any fly ball.

ORDINARY EFFORT is the effort that a fielder of average skill at a position in that league or classification of leagues should exhibit on a play, with due consideration given to the condition of the field and weather conditions.

When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an Infield Fly, the umpire shall immediately declare "Infield Fly" for the benefit of the runners.

(Infield Fly) Comment: On the infield fly rule the umpire is to rule whether the ball could ordinarily have been handled by an infielder-not by some arbitrary limitation such as the grass, or the base lines. The umpire must rule also that a ball is an infield fly, even if handled by an outfielder, if, in the umpire’s judgment, the ball could have been as easily handled by an infielder. The infield fly is in no sense to be considered an appeal play. The umpire’s judgment must govern, and the decision should be made immediately.

(Infield Fly) Comment: When an infield fly rule is called, runners may advance at their own risk.

This rule is in place to prevent the defense from turning a quick double or triple play by letting a fly ball in the infield drop to the ground, intentionally or not. When the umpire declares "Infield Fly," the batter is immediately out, the ball is live, and all runners on base are not forced to advance. Basically, as soon as the Infield Fly rule is called, the batter-runner does not exist anymore but his batted ball is still live.

IMPORTANT: The ball and/or fielder being on the outfield grass has no bearing on the Infield Fly being called.

SITUATION: With runners at first and second and no outs, Hanley Ramirez hits a flyball that can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort. Infield Fly is declared, and the batter is immediately out. The ball drops to the ground. The runner at second base races for third. The runner at first base runs to second base and overruns it, liable to be put out by a tag. Eventually the defense realizes the situation and applies the tag for the third out.

COMMENTS: On the fly ball, the announcers let us know that the umpires have declared the Infield Fly. The batter is out, and there are now two outs. After the ball drops, chaos ensues. Yasiel Puig runs to second base and overruns it, which is one of the dumbest baserunning decisions you'll see an MLB player make. Actually, he makes two dumb decisions. He was dead to rights going into second if the Mets defender knew to tag him, and then he overruns the bag for some unknown reason. The Mets defender also has no idea how to handle the Infield Fly rule. His dugout is screaming at him to tag Puig, so he does, and the inning is over.

SITUATION: Bases loaded, one out. Matt Carpenter skies a fly ball that the umpires decide can be caught with ordinary effort by an infielder, so Infield Fly is declared. In that instant, the batter is out. The runner at third is aware of the situation and tags up.

COMMENTS: Some will heap praise on Jon Jay for knowing the situation and tagging up, but it’s more appalling that Starling Castro did not know the situation. Jon Jay even hesitates for a moment after tagging up, thinking, “Does he seriously not know I can tag up here?”

Yes, it was a late Infield Fly call, and OBR text says the decision should be made "immediately" -- but that proves to be impossible in many cases. The umpire saw the infielder was settling under the ball, making it a routine, ordinary-effort play, and signaled the Infield Fly rule.

SITUATION: A one-game Wild Card playoff. Runners at first and second. One out. The batter skies one into shallow left field. At some point in its flight, an umpire declares the Infield Fly. The batter is out. The runners see the ball drop and advance to their next base.

COMMENTS: Remember the purpose of this rule. It is to prevent the defense from letting a fly ball drop to the ground and turning a quick double or triple play. This rule is in place to protect the offensive team. The wording in the rule states the ball must be a fly ball that can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort. On this play, the shortstop, an infielder, went out, settled under the ball, was going to catch it, but was apparently called off by the left fielder. By the letter of the rule, if you judge the shortstop was going to make the catch with ordinary effort, then the Infield Fly is the correct call here. There was no basis in the Atlanta manager’s wish to protest because this is a judgment call made by the umpires.

TIPS FOR UMPIRES

Bunts are not subject to the infield fly rule.
Anybody can catch an infield fly. It doesn't have to be an infielder. An outfielder can make the catch. A catcher can make the catch. A pitcher can make the catch. As long as you deem it is a fly ball that can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort it is an infield fly.
Can weather conditions change the definition of ordinary effort? It certainly can. On windy days, don't be too quick in making your calls. If the fielder starts twisting and turning because the wind is altering the flight of the ball, that probably means it will take more than ordinary effort to make the play.
Wait for the ball to reach its apex before making your call.
Whoever has fly ball responsibility in the area of the ball is the umpire who should first make the call. All other umpires should then echo the calling umpire.
The proper mechanic is to point straight into the air and say, "Infield fly! Batter is out!" If the ball is near a foul line, the calling umpire shall give the signal and say, "Infield fly if fair!" If ball ends up foul then the infield fly rule is ignored. If the ball falls to the ground foul, then the batter returns to the batter's box to resume his plate appearance.
When an Infield Fly drops to the ground, chaos of some sort is likely to follow. As the infielders start throwing the ball everywhere, remember: forces do not exist anymore. All you're looking for is tags on runners who are not on bases.

QUIZ

Infield fly rule is in effect with R1 and R2 and no outs. Batter pops up and the infield fly rule is called. The ball falls to the ground. R2 takes off for third. The shortstop picks up the ball and throws to the third baseman who steps on the bag before the runner arrives. What is the call?

Since the batter is out due to the provisions of the Infield Fly rule, the force is removed. Therefore, the runner must be tagged for an out to occur. In this situation the runner is safe at third.

Same situation as above. Infield Fly rule is called. Once R2 hears the call he takes off for third before the ball is caught by the shortstop. R2 reaches third safely. Is this a legal advance by R2?

Just because the Infield Fly rule was called, this does not entitle the runner to leave early. He still has to wait until the ball is first touched by a defensive team member. If the defense chooses, they can appeal the runner leaving early and upon a successful appeal the runner shall be called out.

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