Top_Notch
Screwball
- Dec 18, 2014
- 522
- 63
"An Infield Fly is a fair fly ball (not a line drive or bunt) that, in the judgment of the umpire, can be caught by an infielder, pitcher, or catcher with ordinary effort and when there are runners on first and second..."
I know that this call depends on the judgement of the umpire. But here is my question (assume runners on 1 and 2, no outs).
Say third base is defending the bunt and is 1/2 way between home and third. The batter swings and hits a quick lazy fly ball to third. This ball would normally be caught with ordinary effort (even an inept fielder) IF they were in position. But, since third base is defending the bunt, the ball has no chance in being caught as it's easily over their head from where they are standing and lands at third base.
In such a scenario, is that an infield fly? e.g. Is it because it normally could be caught with ordinary effort? Or because the infielder is out of position, and the fly could not be caught with ordinary effort due to positioning, it would not apply?
<Spoiler alert.....the umpire did call the fly rule as the ball landed over the head of third base...who retrieved the ball for the out and to stop the runners from advancing. I didn't agree, but since our team was in the field I didn't argue it!>
I know that this call depends on the judgement of the umpire. But here is my question (assume runners on 1 and 2, no outs).
Say third base is defending the bunt and is 1/2 way between home and third. The batter swings and hits a quick lazy fly ball to third. This ball would normally be caught with ordinary effort (even an inept fielder) IF they were in position. But, since third base is defending the bunt, the ball has no chance in being caught as it's easily over their head from where they are standing and lands at third base.
In such a scenario, is that an infield fly? e.g. Is it because it normally could be caught with ordinary effort? Or because the infielder is out of position, and the fly could not be caught with ordinary effort due to positioning, it would not apply?
<Spoiler alert.....the umpire did call the fly rule as the ball landed over the head of third base...who retrieved the ball for the out and to stop the runners from advancing. I didn't agree, but since our team was in the field I didn't argue it!>
