How Do You Understand The Infield Fly Rule?
Baseball is a game of many subtle rules and one of the more obscure, and frequently misunderstood, is baseball’s infield fly rule. The purpose of the infield fly rule is to prevent a fielder from intentionally misplaying a pop-up with runners on base in order to force a double play. Check the number of outs. In order for baseball’s infield fly rule to be enforced, there must be fewer than two outs. The purpose of the rule is to prevent a defensive team from intentionally committing an error in order to force a double play. Scrutinize the runners on base. There must be runners on at least first and second base, or bases have to be loaded for the infield fly rule to be called. In other words, there must be a force play available at third base. Watch those infield pop ups. If runners are on first and second, or bases are loaded, a ball hit up in the air that does not leave the infield is subject to the infield fly rule. Listen for the judgment call. The infield fly rule is a judgment call
