When does the infield fly rule apply in a baseball game?
The infield fly rule goes into effect when the batter hits a pop fly with less than two outs, and there are runners on first and second base or the bases are loaded. Once an infield fly is called by the umpire, the batter is automatically out. The runners can try to advance, but only after tagging up. Why the infield fly? With runners on base, an infielder could let a pop fly drop and make a really easy double play. For instance, with a runner on first (tagged up since it’s a pop fly), a shortstop could let the ball drop, and then throw to second for a double play. That’s downright unsportsmanlike, and that’s why the rule was enacted in 1895. Still, it’s a judgment call by the umpire. It’s up to him to determine if the ball could be caught with “ordinary effort” by an in
