What is the infield fly rule?
The infield fly rule is a rule used to prevent a team from letting a pop-up drop in order to get two outs instead of the one that catching the ball would accomplish. It is called when a pop-up is hit on the infield (judgment call by the umpire) and there are less than 2 outs and runners on first and second base, or the bases are loaded. The reason is that a player could let the ball drop and because all of the baserunners return to the bases assuming the ball will be caught, the fielder could presumably throw to two bases for a double play as if it were a ground ball. Once the rule has been called by the umpire (done by pointing to the sky) the batter is out, and the runners can advance at their own risk after tagging up like they would on a fly ball.
The infield fly rule is one of the most misunderstood rules in the game of baseball. Little league coaches struggle to understand it, and the rule has even mystified professional managers at times. To begin, the infield fly rule can only come into effect if: 1) there is less than two outs in the inning; 2) there are baserunners on first and second base or first, second, and third base; and 3) the batter must hit a fly ball in the infield area. If these three elements are present, the umpire should call “infield fly rule – The batter is out.” At that point, even if an infielder dropped the ball, the batter is still out. The infield fly rule originated to protect baserunners from crafty infielders. For instance, before the rule came into being, if baserunners were on first and second and a fly ball was hit in the infield to the third basemen, the third baseman might let the ball fall in front of him on purpose. He could then pick up the ball, tag third base to force out the runner on sec
There are a number of rules in baseball that are designed to ensure good sportsmanship and fair play during the course of a game. One of the best examples is the infield fly rule. Intended to prevent the incidence of a double play or triple play under circumstances that make the task too easy, the infield fly rule ensures that both teams engage in strategies that challenge the talents of all players, without providing either team with an unfair advantage. There are specific circumstances that have to be in place before the infield fly rule can be invoked. First, the team currently at bat must have less than two outs in the inning. Second, the bases must be loaded, or at least first and second base must be occupied. Without these two requirements, there is no opportunity for the infield fly rule to be applied. Umpires play a specific role in calling an infield fly rule. For example, the current batter hits a fly ball that the umpire deems to be a fair fly ball. The ball heads into the i
There are a number of rules in baseball that are designed to ensure good sportsmanship and fair play during the course of a game. One of the best examples is the infield fly rule. Intended to prevent the incidence of a double play or triple play under circumstances that make the task too easy, the infield fly rule ensures that both teams engage in strategies that challenge the talents of all players, without providing either team with an unfair advantage. There are specific circumstances that have to be in place before the infield fly rule can be invoked. First, the team currently at bat can only have one out thus far in the inning. Second, the bases must be loaded. That is, the team must have runners already placed on the first, second, and third bases. Without these two requirements, there is no opportunity for the infield fly rule to be applied. Umpires play a specific role in calling an infield fly rule. For example, the current batter hits a fly ball that the umpire deems to be a
