Infield Fly Rule

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Jun 20, 2012
438
18
SoCal
ASA 12u rec ball, no outs, R1 on 2B, R2 on 1B, B3 hits a pop-up into the Bermuda's Triangle between F1, F4, and F6, shading more towards F4. As the ball reaches its apex, F4, playing deep, gets the deer-caught-in-the-headlights look and doesn't move towards it. F1 turns around and points at it and is probably expecting F4 to run up and catch it. F6 is making a valiant effort to get there but is obviously too far away. The ball falls harmlessly between the 3 players, and all runners are safe. I didn't invoke the Infield Fly rule because I didn't think any infielder could have caught the ball with ordinary effort. Had this been 14u or the players involved a bit better skills-wise (a more competent F4 would have been able to catch the ball), my call would be different, but I didn't think any infielder at that moment could have caught the ball with ordinary effort. My assignor/mentor was there, along with a couple of other guys that umpire, and they thought I should have called Infield Fly regardless. Looking for feedback. Obviously, HTBT, but does the rule allow for some nuance like this, or should it be called regardless of the level of ball being played?
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
I think I would have called it.

You can not assume all the players are ozzie smith but you also can not assume they are all slugs either.

I think you will get in more trouble then not trying to analyze the individual players or teams. There is no fly ball ever that our SS catches with ordinary effort.

LIke you mentioned lot of flexibility but I would go with mentor who has been there.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
I understand your struggle on this one, CPEM. In 12U rec ball, that ball drops more often than not. If it was 12U TB, it's probably caught most of the time.
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
Always remember, the rule is to protect the offense not give a free out to the defense. It is your judgement as to if it was catchable with normal effort or not. If you judged it wasn't, then that is your call.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Always remember, the rule is to protect the offense not give a free out to the defense. It is your judgement as to if it was catchable with normal effort or not. If you judged it wasn't, then that is your call.

If ball goes up I think it should be called.

Do you take into consideration level of play and Team in field?

What do you look at before you call it?
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
Of course I take into consideration the level of play. What may be normal effort for an 18 gold player is not good mg to be normal effort for a 10u, 12u or rec 14 team.

As I said, the rule was never intended to be a free out for the defense, it's sole purpose is to protect the offense. That's why I always get a kick out of defensive coaches coming out to complain about it not being called. The rule is not for the defense.
 
Last edited:
Aug 10, 2016
686
63
Georgia
14U rec game last nite. Similar scenario - ball popped up right behind the pitcher and was not caught - maybe the ump thought it was too hard for the SS or 2B to come in for it. I thought for sure the IF would be called but runners advanced and batter was safe. Last season we had same thing - runners on 1B and 2B and ball popped up to 1B - she dropped it but batter was called out - runners advanced..
I always wonder what makes an ump call it - ideally your fielders should just catch it and leave the guesswork out of it ;)
 
Oct 25, 2013
90
8
DFW Area
The rule has the "with ordinary effort" piece ... you can't (shouldn't) just ignore that.

The little popup that lands between 3 players is the perfect example.

"If ball goes up I think it should be called." - definitely disagree with that ... that's the lazy way out IMO.
 
Apr 20, 2015
961
93
The rule has the "with ordinary effort" piece ... you can't (shouldn't) just ignore that.

The little popup that lands between 3 players is the perfect example.

"If ball goes up I think it should be called." - definitely disagree with that ... that's the lazy way out IMO.
You do have to consider level of play as a game though not individual teams. If one team is significantly more skilled than another the infield fly has to be called the same for both teams. In 8u and probably most 10u rec any pop up is still and crap shoot...lol. Any B level or above 10u travel...that's an ordinary effort ball.

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