The Infield Fly Rule Explained
A Very Important Major League Baseball Invention Decoded
The infield fly rule is pretty easy learn and commit to memory, and a good understanding of it will definitely help you pick up hot chicks.
The infield fly rule is perhaps the most misunderstood rule in baseball. But it shouldn't be. It is actually very straightforward, and it's based on a very simple idea. While the infield fly rule has a few quirks, and it is subject to the umpire's discretion, the rule is necessary because it prevents infielders from unfairly and surreptitiously dropping easy pop-flies to gain an advantage over baserunners. Without further ado, here is a quick explanation of baseball's infield fly rule.
When the Infield Fly Rule Applies
The infield fly rule applies when there are fewer than two outs, and there is a force play at third base (runners on first and second base, or bases loaded). Under these conditions, if a fly ball is hit into fair territory and the umpire perceives that an infielder using ordinary effort would be able to catch the ball, the umpire will call the batter automatically out. Even if the infielder later drops the ball, it makes no difference. As soon as the umpire makes the call, the batter is out and must leave the field.
According to the rule, the umpire is supposed to announce, "Infield fly, if fair." If the ball will be almost certainly fair, the umpire will likely yell, "Infield fly, the batter is out!" Umpires also usually raise one arm straight up to signal to everyone that the rule is in effect.
The Nuts and Bolts of the Infield Fly Rule
Any fair fly ball that could have been caught by an infielder with ordinary effort is covered by the rule, regardless of where the ball was caught.
The ball need not be caught by an infielder, nor must it be caught in the infield. For example, if an infielder retreats to the very shallow outfield in an effort to catch a fly ball with ordinary effort, the Infield Fly Rule could still be invoked in the umpire's discretion.
Similarly, if a fly ball is hit within the infield that could have been caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, but is caught by an outfielder, also may be covered by the rule.
On a caught infield fly, the runners must tag up (retouch their base at the time of pitch) in order to be eligible to advance, as on any catch. If the infield fly falls to fair ground untouched, or is touched and dropped, runners need not tag up. In either case, since the batter is out, the force play on the other runners is removed.
How the Infield Fly Rule Came into Effect
The National League introduced the rule in 1895, in response to infielders who were intentionally dropping pop-flies to get multiple outs by forcing out the runners on base, who were pinned near their bases while the ball was in the air.
A Misunderstanding of the Infield Fly Rule
Players and fans sometimes misunderstand the infield fly rule. The infield fly rule is not in effect if there is a runner on first base only, as the rule-makers assumed fielders would not gain a significant advantage by forcing out the runner rather than the batter; in either case, the net result would be one more out and a runner on first base. Also, an infield fly does not affect baserunners other than the batter.
Just like any other fly ball, if an infield fly is caught, runners must retouch (or "tag up") their time-of-pitch base before attempting to advance; if an infield fly is not properly caught, no tag up is required and the runners may try to advance.
Circumstances When the Infield Fly Rule Does Not Apply
The infield fly rule does not apply to line drives or bunts. Nor does the rule cover all situations where the defense may wish to allow a fly ball to drop uncaught.
For example, if there is just a runner on first base, a quick-thinking infielder might purposely let a pop-up drop to the ground and get the force at second, if it happens that the runner on first is faster afoot than the batter-runner is, or if the batter is loafing on his way to first base. This is only legal if the fielder lets the ball hit the ground untouched, which carries some risk to the fielder as it might bounce away from him.
However, in all situations where the infield fly rule does not apply, a different rule prevents fielders from touching a catchable ball and dropping it intentionally in an attempt to turn a double or triple play.
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