Infield Fly Rule

[Gozer]

ASA rules. Can an outfielder catch a ball that is called an infield fly rule?

 

[Comp]

Must be caught by an infielder, pitcher or catcher.

 

[honus14]

It must be ABLE to be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort; who actually makes the catch is irrelevant. (Rule 1, Definition of Infield Fly.)

 

[MTR]

ASA rules. Can an outfielder catch a ball that is called an infield fly rule?

Yes. An IF has nothing to do with who catchers the ball or their location at the time of the catch.

 

[Comp]

It must be ABLE to be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort; who actually makes the catch is irrelevant. (Rule 1, Definition of Infield Fly.)

Yes, does say able, but, if the infielder couldnt get to the ball and was caught by an outfielder, was it "ABLE" to be caught with normal effort by an infielder?

 

[MTR]

Yes, does say able, but, if the infielder couldnt get to the ball and was caught by an outfielder, was it "ABLE" to be caught with normal effort by an infielder?

It happens. Ball goes up, looks simple play for infielder, then you have a charging outfielder call him/her off the ball. Doesn't change the ruling.

 

[Amy in AZ.]

Also, an OF could be playing right behind second base.

 

[Umpireernie]

Keep in mind the umpire has to make this judgement call while the ball is still in the air, ideally when the ball is at it's apex. Once the call is made, it's made (except in the event of an unfortunate IF call with two out or no runner on 1B or 2B...oops!) and it does not matter if an outfielder comes in and makes the catch so long as the umpire has judged that an infielder COULD have made the catch with ordinary effort.