- Oct 24, 2010
- 310
- 28
Even if he called IFF while the ball was in the air?
Yes. He should follow up with "Foul Ball" because that is what this is.
Even if he called IFF while the ball was in the air?
If the ump calls "foul" and sends the batter back to the box, and the runner back to 3rd, I would expect the defensive coach to argue that no catch was attempted because of the IFF call by the ump while the ball was still in the air, and without the call, it likely would have been caught for the out. The IFF call affected how the defense handled the ball. I'm not sure what the proper protocol is, but it seems to me that the catch should be made before the IFF call is made.
Page 228 of the 2013 ASA rule book.
INFIELD FLY
1) Stand up-right facing square to the play with feet shoulder width apart and eyes on the ball.
2) When the ball reaches its highest point extend your right arm above your head with fist closed and verbalize "Infield Fly" or if near foul line, "Infield Fly, if fair".
The defensive coach can argue all he wants if it was ruled a foul ball. The rule is very clear, the ball must be fair to be an IFF, and if it was untouched and rolled foul prior to passing 1st or 3rd base you have absolutely nothing but a foul ball.
I must be missing something. Ball was fair, ump correctly calls IFF rule, probably scared the girls when he did it but either way he made correct call and lack of coaching is to blame for ball rolling foul. It is not a dead ball, runner score counts. Never heard the ball had to pass a certain point for IFF to come into effect.
Amy, my understanding is umps aren't supposed to say a word when it is fair, only if foul.
The actual call is suppose to be IFF if fair. Ball has to be fair to be an IFF.