Seemingly intentional drop

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Jun 11, 2013
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Playing this weekend with base loaded 1 out we are on Defense. Popup to P fairly high so IFF is called. The problem is that she drops ball. Runners took of on drop and she had runner out at plate by 25 feet except throw was terrible and it went to backstop. Run scored batter was out and they wound up with 2nd and 3rd.

It was a new player and this was 18U so I asked her if she dropped it on purpose. She said no, but had she dropped it on purpose and made a good throw would the offense in any way be able to claim that it was dropped on purpose or would they have been out of luck for not teaching basics of base running?
 

MTR

Jun 22, 2008
3,438
48
Playing this weekend with base loaded 1 out we are on Defense. Popup to P fairly high so IFF is called. The problem is that she drops ball. Runners took of on drop and she had runner out at plate by 25 feet except throw was terrible and it went to backstop. Run scored batter was out and they wound up with 2nd and 3rd.

It was a new player and this was 18U so I asked her if she dropped it on purpose. She said no, but had she dropped it on purpose and made a good throw would the offense in any way be able to claim that it was dropped on purpose or would they have been out of luck for not teaching basics of base running?


By rule, you cannot have an intentionally dropped ball when the infield fly is in effect.
 
Aug 18, 2013
91
6
When IFF is called the batter is out. If the ball is dropped the runners can go at there own risk as if the ball was caught. No force out at any base.
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
Playing this weekend with base loaded 1 out we are on Defense. Popup to P fairly high so IFF is called. The problem is that she drops ball. Runners took of on drop and she had runner out at plate by 25 feet except throw was terrible and it went to backstop. Run scored batter was out and they wound up with 2nd and 3rd.

It was a new player and this was 18U so I asked her if she dropped it on purpose. She said no, but had she dropped it on purpose and made a good throw would the offense in any way be able to claim that it was dropped on purpose or would they have been out of luck for not teaching basics of base running?

When the infield fly rule is called the batter is out, regardless of whether or not the ball is caught. Therefore the base runners do not have to advance, but can at their own risk. Sounds like poor base running, which is a reflection their softball IQ and coaching...
 
Last edited:
Jan 31, 2011
453
43
... Sounds like poor base running, which is reflection their softball IQ and coaching...

Exactly what I was thinking, but wasn't going to say it...lol

Why in the heck would you not teach the IFF rule? Kids need to know on both sides what the rule states. Its like drop 3rd with a runner on 1st base (less than 2 outs). So many catchers make that throw because they don't know the rule. All this needs taught at a young age.
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
Exactly what I was thinking, but wasn't going to say it...lol

Why in the heck would you not teach the IFF rule? Kids need to know on both sides what the rule states. Its like drop 3rd with a runner on 1st base (less than 2 outs). So many catchers make that throw because they don't know the rule. All this needs taught at a young age.

I probably would have let it slide if the OP had not specified this was 18U, but at 18U players should know the rules, otherwise all of their previous coaches have failed them...
 
Oct 19, 2009
1,277
38
beyond the fences
Drop or no drop IF rule is as stated above. Sounds like the issue here is the throw to home that allowed a run to score.
Baserunner lacks SB IQ but got lucky and scored a run
 
Jun 11, 2013
2,619
113
Thanks for all the replies. I was 95 percent sure that the IFF was all the protection afforded to the Offense. I can't even believe the other team ran but I honestly think they were shocked it was dropped.
 
Dec 10, 2015
845
63
Chautauqua County
I'm thinking this was good aggressive baserunning (depending on inning and score). Easy flyball is dropped, runner is already 50 feet away, pitcher is flustered, bad throws happen. Run until they throw you out and then run some more.
 
Dec 19, 2012
1,428
0
I'm thinking this was good aggressive baserunning (depending on inning and score). Easy flyball is dropped, runner is already 50 feet away, pitcher is flustered, bad throws happen. Run until they throw you out and then run some more.

No way this was aggressive baserunning, unless the P booted the ball and it got too far away from any fielder.
 

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