Baseball, America’s pastime, is loved for its intricate strategies and sometimes, its perplexing rules. Among these, the infield fly rule often raises eyebrows and questions, even among seasoned fans. Understanding the infield fly rule is crucial for appreciating the nuances of the game and ensuring fair play. So, what exactly is the infield fly rule in baseball? Let’s break down this often-misunderstood regulation.
To truly understand the infield fly rule, we need to look at its official definition. According to Rule 2.00 of Major League Baseball, an infield fly is defined as:
“a fair fly ball (not including a line drive or a bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second, and third bases are occupied before two are out. The pitcher, catcher, and any outfielder stationed in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose of this rule.”
Let’s dissect this definition to grasp the key components that trigger an infield fly call.
Key Elements of the Infield Fly Rule
Several conditions must be met for an infield fly to be declared. These are the crucial elements to remember:
-
Less Than Two Outs: The rule is only in effect when there are zero or one outs. With two outs, the infield fly rule is no longer applicable.
-
Runners on First and Second, or Bases Loaded: There must be runners on first and second base, or the bases must be loaded. This is because the infield fly rule is designed to prevent a force play situation at multiple bases.
-
Fair Fly Ball (Not a Line Drive or Bunt): The batted ball must be a fair fly ball. Line drives and bunts are specifically excluded. The ball must be hit in the air.
-
Ordinary Effort: An infielder must be able to catch the fly ball with “ordinary effort.” This is a judgment call by the umpire, but it generally means a ball that a fielder can catch with a reasonable amount of effort. It’s not intended for spectacular plays but routine catches. For the purpose of this rule, infielders include not just the standard infield positions, but also the pitcher, catcher, and any outfielder positioned in the infield on that play.
The Purpose: Protecting Base Runners
The core purpose of the infield fly rule is to protect the runners on base from being unfairly turned into easy double plays (or even triple plays). Without this rule, the defense could intentionally drop an easily catchable fly ball and quickly force out runners at multiple bases.
Imagine this scenario without the infield fly rule: Runners on first and second, one out. The batter hits a pop-up to the second baseman. Without the infield fly rule, the second baseman could intentionally let the ball drop. Because the runners on first and second are forced to advance on a batted ball, they would be running. The defense could then easily get force outs at second and third base, turning a routine pop-up into a double play, unfairly penalizing the offense.
The infield fly rule prevents this strategic manipulation by declaring the batter automatically out, even if the ball is not caught. This eliminates the force play situation, allowing runners to stay at their bases or advance at their own risk, just like on any other caught fly ball.
When the Infield Fly Rule Should NOT Be Applied
Understanding when the infield fly rule doesn’t apply is just as important. Here’s an example to illustrate:
Consider a situation with runners on first and second and no outs. A left-handed batter known for pulling the ball is at bat. The defensive team employs a heavy shift to the first base side, leaving the third base side relatively open. The batter hits a shallow pop-up that drifts into fair territory near third base.
In this case, even though the conditions for runners and outs are met, if no infielder can realistically make a play on the ball with ordinary effort (perhaps due to the shift and the ball’s location), the infield fly rule should not be called. The key is whether an infielder could catch the ball with ordinary effort. If the ball is in a spot where no infielder can reasonably make a play, the rule doesn’t apply.
Umpires must assess the situation and determine if the ball is catchable with ordinary effort by an infielder. In borderline cases, umpires are generally instructed to err on the side of calling the infield fly to protect the runners, which aligns with the rule’s purpose.
Clarifications and Runner Advancement
It’s crucial to remember that the infield fly rule only results in the batter being out. The ball is still live, and runners can advance at their own risk.
- If the infield fly is caught: Runners can advance after tagging up, just like on any other caught fly ball. If they leave the base before the catch, they risk being doubled off.
- If the infield fly is dropped: Runners are not forced to advance. They can stay at their bases or attempt to advance, but they are no longer in a force play situation and must be tagged out if they run.
Another important point is Rule 7.08(f), which offers a unique protection to runners during an infield fly situation:
“If, while third base is occupied, the batter hits a fair fly ball that is declared an infield fly, and a runner is touching his base when the ball touches him, the runner is not out, although the batter is out.”
This means if a runner is standing on their base and the batted ball hits them during an infield fly situation, the runner is not called out. This is an exception to the usual rule where a runner is out if hit by a fair batted ball outside of the batter’s box.
Conclusion
The infield fly rule, while initially sounding complex, is fundamentally about fairness. It prevents the defense from manipulating a routine play into an unfair advantage by intentionally dropping an easily caught ball. By understanding the key elements – less than two outs, runners on first and second (or bases loaded), a fair fly ball catchable with ordinary effort by an infielder – you can decipher when this rule comes into play. It’s a rule designed to maintain the integrity of the game and ensure that the offense isn’t penalized for what should be a routine defensive play.
