With the exception of NCAA, it is the situation that makes it an infield fly not the umpire calling it. It may be the umpires judgement as to if an infielder had the opportunity to catch it with normal effort, but other than that it is not a requirement for the umpire to verbally call it. Yes they should but if they dont it doesnt negate the situation being an infield fly. There are even case plays stating the infield fly can be invoked retroactively if the umpires miss calling it and the result puts either team in jeopardy due to the non call.
Still Lost on the infield fly rule
- Thread starter tamss13
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With the exception of NCAA, it is the situation that makes it an infield fly not the umpire calling it. It may be the umpires judgement as to if an infielder had the opportunity to catch it with normal effort, but other than that it is not a requirement for the umpire to verbally call it. Yes they should but if they dont it doesnt negate the situation being an infield fly. There are even case plays stating the infield fly can be invoked retroactively if the umpires miss calling it and the result puts either team in jeopardy due to the non call.
oh....then the ump was right and the girls deserved the triple play......it something that is hard to get used to
- Jul 3, 2013
- 438
- 43
No on the triple play. Runners are not required to tag up on a dropped ball. Runner from first can not be called out.
I also think that the umpire is wrong in retroactively calling an IFF while still having the out at third. The rule is to protect the offense. Not calling it causes runners to be in jeopardy. Correct call (other than calling IFF to begin with) is to call batter out and return runners to 1st and 2nd.
I know the umpire doesn't have to call it ahead of time/immediately, but at what point does the umpire need to call something. In this situation (let's ignore their mistake calling out R1), at what point should the umpire make it clear the batter is out? Should they let the play continue until action stops and then call the batter out?
It does seem a bit unfair to expect the base runners to know that the umpire must have called it despite no signal or anything. On this particular play, the runner took off for third thinking that the ball was dropped and no infield fly call was made. She could've known the rule, but the umpire created deception, and she was out because of it.
The umpire can enforce it at any point up until the next pitch. If the umpire decides he created confusion by not calling it he can place runners back on base. If he messed up the rule and you don't agree, use the magic word. PROTEST.
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Around here at the lower levels, most will not call infield fly unless a player is right under the ball and drops it. The ump for this game they are talking about obviously had no idea what he was doing or thinks he is umping an 18U National team game.
A ball hit anywhere in the outfield in a 12U game should never result in an infield fly rule. If he is going to enact the rule it needs to be announced, this play resulted in a triple play and should have only been 1 out. Regardless of the score, the ump screwed up.
USSSA Rules - RULE 8. BASE RUNNING - Sec 17 H (page 50)
"When they hit a fair fly and the infield fly rule is declared. EFFECT - The ball is live, the batter is out if the batted ball is fair. If the ball is caught, each runner may tag up and advance with the liability to be put out once the batted ball is touched the same as on any caught fly ball. If a declared infield fly is not caught, the ball is live, the batter-runner is out which removes all force plays, and each runner may advance with liability to be put out without needing to retouch their base(s). NOTE: When an infield fly is not initially called, the batter-runner may be declared out if brought to the umpire’s attention before the next pitch. See exception in Rule 15-8-17-H (8U and Younger Fastpitch Divisions)."
USSSA Rules - RULE 14. UMPIRES - Sec 12 H (page 63)
"When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an infield fly, the Plate Umpire immediately announces it for the benefit of the runners. If the ball is near the base line the Umpire shall declare, “Infield fly, if fair.”"
"When they hit a fair fly and the infield fly rule is declared. EFFECT - The ball is live, the batter is out if the batted ball is fair. If the ball is caught, each runner may tag up and advance with the liability to be put out once the batted ball is touched the same as on any caught fly ball. If a declared infield fly is not caught, the ball is live, the batter-runner is out which removes all force plays, and each runner may advance with liability to be put out without needing to retouch their base(s). NOTE: When an infield fly is not initially called, the batter-runner may be declared out if brought to the umpire’s attention before the next pitch. See exception in Rule 15-8-17-H (8U and Younger Fastpitch Divisions)."
USSSA Rules - RULE 14. UMPIRES - Sec 12 H (page 63)
"When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an infield fly, the Plate Umpire immediately announces it for the benefit of the runners. If the ball is near the base line the Umpire shall declare, “Infield fly, if fair.”"
If it’s an umpires judgment call they should be required to announce it. I hate it when the umpires say we don’t have to announce it. Yes there are the obvious infield fly that no one has a problem with but the ones that are a judgment of umpires are the ones everyone is complaining about when they don’t verbally call it. It’s hard for a runner to turn around and look to see if the ump is pointing up while trying to figure out if the defense can make a play on the ball. Just call it.
Yeah once had an ump make the hand signal and I as coach saw it and knew it was on. But the fielders and runners were watching the ball and had no clue the IFR was on. Ball dropped and all hell broke loose on the base paths.
In between innings I discussed it with him and when I explained that most players are watching the ball and don't see his hand signal for IFR he agreed that in the future he'd call it out as well as make the hand signal. Some umps can be very reasonable if you approach them right.
This just happened to come up on my browser.
www.basesloadedsoftball.com
What I like about it is it is worthless to teach the IFR until they understand the basics of base running or it will fall on deaf ears and just confuse the players.
DD played with IFR her entire softball career, including 8U. Best play ever, chaos and a lot of yelling always occurred.
(DD's friend made her 1st out ever in SB with IFR, she did drop the ball but batter was out.)
What is the Infield Fly Rule in Softball? | Bases Loaded Softball
For first-time players who aren’t yet used to the game of softball, an Infield Fly is one of the most confusing calls to hear.
www.basesloadedsoftball.com
What I like about it is it is worthless to teach the IFR until they understand the basics of base running or it will fall on deaf ears and just confuse the players.
DD played with IFR her entire softball career, including 8U. Best play ever, chaos and a lot of yelling always occurred.
(DD's friend made her 1st out ever in SB with IFR, she did drop the ball but batter was out.)
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