Infield fly

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Jul 21, 2017
50
8
Bases are loaded. Infield fly rule is called, our catcher catches it and then tags the runner who was halfway home. Should that runner have been out?


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MTR

Jun 22, 2008
3,438
48
Bases are loaded. Infield fly rule is called, our catcher catches it and then tags the runner who was halfway home. Should that runner have been out?


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Yes. The ONLY thing an IF ruling is that the batter-runner is out. Every other rule and action on the field is the same with a single exception and that is there cannot be an "intentionally Dropped Ball" ruling.
 
Jun 11, 2013
2,619
113
And make sure you teach your team that on D if it is dropped all plays are now tag plays as there is no longer a force. The think on offense is to make sure the runners
know that they never "have" to run even if ball is dropped. It's one of those rules that for some reason some people never grasp. It's really not complicated but even at 18U some players just don't seem to get it.
 
May 15, 2016
926
18
It's really not complicated but even at 18U some players just don't seem to get it.

I saw a D1 game where neither the offense or defense got it right.

I hope I am remembering this correctly. Runners on 1st and 2nd, and ump signaled infield fly, both runners had taken off. The ball dropped in behind the pitcher. She picked it up and threw to third. Third basemen stepped on the bag and thinking the runner was out, threw the ball to the pitcher. The runner from 2nd, stepped on third, and thinking she was out, started walking back to the dugout on the first base side. Someone in the stands, yes the stands, started yelling at the girl to get back to third. She realized her mistake and ran back to third. The fielders never tagged her while she was off the base.
 
Jun 6, 2016
2,714
113
Chicago
And make sure you teach your team that on D if it is dropped all plays are now tag plays as there is no longer a force. The think on offense is to make sure the runners
know that they never "have" to run even if ball is dropped. It's one of those rules that for some reason some people never grasp. It's really not complicated but even at 18U some players just don't seem to get it.

I understand the rule completely, and if I'm playing I'm never confused by it or what everybody should do.

But I have no idea how to teach it to girls who are still learning the game.
 
Jul 21, 2017
50
8
Thank you! It is such a tough situation to teach. Our catcher tagged the runner who just took off to home, the ump said she was safe because of the infield fly rule & sent her back to 3rd, but everyone was standing there wondering what just happened. Even the runner thought she should be out. But none of us were 100% on what the call should be. Next time we will be ready to challenge. This was 16/18u. Ha!


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Last edited:
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Netflix Allstars movie has a bit on this.

Umpire called infield fly rule.

Parent asked what is the IFR, parents went around IDK. Last parent said no one knows. :)
 

MTR

Jun 22, 2008
3,438
48
Thank you! It is such a tough situation to teach. Our catcher tagged the runner who just took off to home, the ump said she was safe because of the infield fly rule & sent her back to 3rd, but everyone was standing there wondering what just happened. Even the runner thought she should be out. But none of us were 100% on what the call should be. Next time we will be ready to challenge. This was 16/18u. Ha!


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You have to be a pretty bad umpire to screw up the infield fly, one of, if not THE easiest rule in the book.
 
Mar 8, 2016
313
63
My only issue with the infield fly rule is that the umpire should be required to yell out infield fly and not just signal it. It is difficult for both girls and base coaches to watch the play and and look to see if the umpire has raised their hand. I really appreciate it when an umpire does yell it out but it is less than half the time in my experience.
 

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