Infield Fly Rule …
Runners on 1st and 2nd or bases loaded and less than 2 outs, Batter is out if a fly ball is where an infielder can catch it with reasonable effort. Umpires calls Infield Fly if Fair, Batter is OUT! Runners can advance at their own risk.
Question 1:
1. Is it an infield fly if the umpire fails to declare in flight that the batter’s hit is an Infield Fly?
MY ANSWER:
1. Yes, it can be … but we’ve all seen this happened and the umpire’s call will often be that the ball hit was not an infield fly … “Judgement Call”!! WHAT??? The umpire is always correct!!
*** SENIOR SOFTBALL USA 2012-13 RULES ***
1.41 • INFIELD FLY pg 7,8
A fair fly ball (not including a line drive) that can be caught by any fielder with ordinary effort when first and second bases or first, second and third bases are occupied with less than two outs. Any fielder can catch an infield fly.
NOTE: When it becomes apparent that a batted ball will be an infield fly, the umpire shall immediately declare, “infield fly – batter
is out”, to aid the runners. If the ball is near the foul lines, the umpire shall declare, “infield fly – if fair”. The ball is live and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught, or re-touch and advance after a fielder touches the ball. If the hit ball becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any other foul ball. Failure of the umpire to call “infield fly,” does not negate the infield fly. If the error is discovered prior to the next pitch, the infield fly rule may still be called.
******** End of Rulebook Quote ********
Question 2:
What if the infielder is playing deep infield or shallow outfield, is the Infield Fly declaration to be based on where they would typically play or where they are actually standing?
MY ANSWER:
The declaration should be based on the location the infielder is standing. If the short stop is playing deep infield, say out 5 yards out onto the outfield grass and the pop up is hit on the infield grass the SS would have to make “extraordinary effort” to catch the fly ball. The intent of the rule is to prevent the base runners from double play entrapment and if you have to make a diving catch it’s unlikely that you could turn it into a double play. If the defense can turn it into a double play then it probably should have been decared an Infield Fly!
Interesting too:
Is that an outfielder playing close behind the infielders are also to be considered in the infield fly declaration.
What do you think?? Have any other Senior Softball rules questions, thoughts or ideas, post them here …