the rule is actually quite simple.

A. there has to be a force play available at 3B with fewer than 2 outs in the inning.

B. the fly ball has to be one that an infielder can catch with “reasonable effort”.

part 1 is non negotiable.
part 2 is umpire’s discretion.

the umpire should make the call well before an actual play is made.
he’ll point straight up i. sky and call the batter out on infield fly rule.
If the ball could potentially land in foul territory. he’ll still call it with the caveat of “if it stays fair”.

the one today was obvious.
2 players could have easily caught the ball without even sprinting anywhere just drifting under a high pop.
no brainer Infield Fly.

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Posted by fishdoctor

Member since Feb 2018

836 posts

Posted on 2/18/24 at 8:19 pm to Nutriaitch

And the first base umpire made the call as designed.

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Posted by BallChamp00

Member since May 2015

6482 posts

Posted on 2/18/24 at 8:40 pm to Nutriaitch

quote:
the one today was obvious. 2 players could have easily caught the ball without even sprinting anywhere just drifting under a high pop. no brainer Infield Fly.

The first baseman making a play 3 steps into the grass is not reasonable effort being he was right behind first base runner. The second baseman was shading to second and had a long run. He actually got to it just in time to put a glove it. Although the rule states the ball does not have to be in the infield, umpires are taught to judge on caution any ball into outfield.

With the way the wind was blowing, the ball was probably 10-12 steps into the grass.

But let’s debate the rule!

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