INTENTIONAL DROP

RULE 5.09(a)(12) - A batter is out when… an infielder intentionally drops a fair fly ball with first, first and second, first and third, or first, second and third base occupied before two are out. The ball is dead and runner or runners shall return to their original base or bases.

APPROVED RULING: In this situation, the batter is not out if the infielder permits the ball to drop untouched to the ground, except when the Infield Fly Rule applies.

(Infield Fly) Comment: If on an infield fly rule, the infielder intentionally drops a fair ball, the ball remains in play despite the provisions of Rule 5.09(a)(12). The infield fly rule takes precedence.

This is in place to prevent the defense from getting a cheap double play. This differs from the Infield Fly Rule in that an infielder must INTENTIONALLY drop the ball in the judgment of the umpire. While the Infield Fly rule requires runners to be on 1st and 2nd...or 1st, 2nd and 3rd...the intentional-drop rule is also in effect with a runner only on 1st since an infielder has ample time on a hot line drive to intentionally drop it and start a double play, while a fly ball in the infield is typically in the air long enough for the batter-runner to have enough time to reach first base, wiping out any double-play opportunity.

SITUATION: With the bases loaded and less than two outs, the batter smokes a line drive to Mike Lowell at third base. Lowell intentionally drops the ball in order to get the force-out at home, and then the catcher could either go to first, second, or third for a quick second out. The umpire immediately declares the ball was intentionally dropped, and the ball is dead.

COMMENTS: This is a great example of the rule. The plate umpire signals that the ball has been intentionally dropped. Batter is out, ball is dead, and all runners remain on their bases. Marlins manager Jack McKeon comes out to discuss the call. He must be simply voicing his disagreement with the umpire’s judgment because there is no way someone who’s been in baseball as long as he has doesn’t know this rule.

SITUATION: Runner at first base. One out. The batter pops up a bunt. The pitcher allows it to fall to the ground. He picks it up, gets the batter out at first on the force, and his team eventually tags the other runner in a rundown.

COMMENTS: "APPROVED RULING: In this situation, the batter is not out if the infielder permits the ball to drop untouched to the ground."

SITUATION: Runner at first base. No outs. The second basemen allows a high pop-up to fall to the ground untouched and gets the runner out on the force play at second.

COMMENTS: Second baseman lets the ball drop to get the speedy Colby Rasmus off the base path in exchange for the slower Tyler White. The umpires get together, go through this rule in their heads, realize nothing more needs to be done, and that’s it. At the 1:20 mark, you see the umpire tell the manager, “He didn’t touch it. He just let it fall down.”

Runner at first. No outs. Shortstop intentionally drops a line drive in order to turn a double play. The batter is declared out, and the runner remains at first.

TIPS FOR UMPIRES

An intentional drop sticks out like a sore thumb. When you see an intentional drop, it immediately should make you start thinking, "Why did that fielder do that?" You'll realize the fielder probably noticed a double-play opportunity somewhere. Sell your call.

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