Infield Fly Rule Explained: What Every Player Must Know
One of the most complicated, discussed, and debated topics of baseball is the infield fly rule. It’s a necessary yet not always easy rule to enforce because it can involve an umpire’s judgment. The infield fly rule was created to correct a loophole in the original rules of baseball. It exists to make sure that the fielders don’t have an unfair advantage on an easy popup hit in the infield. In this article, we’ll examine the history of the infield fly rule and explain what it means.
What is the Infield Fly Rule?
According to the Rules of Baseball, the Infield Fly Rule declares the batter out when “a fair fly ball 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.” What’s the effect of the infield rule? It means if a batter hits a popup in the infield that’s catchable, the hitter is out even if the fielder lets the ball drop if there are runners on base with less than 2 outs. Below are the conditions for the infield fly rule to take effect:
There must be less than 2 outs.
Runners must be on first or first and second base or on every base.
The popup must be in fair territory.
The umpire must make a judgement that it’s an ordinary fly ball.
The ball must be caught in the infield.
A bunt or a line drive isn’t an infield fly.
You can’t force out a runner on the infield fly rule.
The batter is automatically out.
Runners can advance at their risk on the infield fly rule.
There’s one issue that occasionally arises when an umpire makes a judgment call on a popup in the infield during a game with runners on base and less than 2 outs. Sometimes it can be difficult to know if a fielder dropped a ball purposely. A ball that’s hit in the short outfield grass, which are plays that infielders routinely make, can be difficult judgments for the umpires to make. Since baseball can turn on one play, a perceived bad judgment by an umpire on an infield fly rule play can cause controversy and even change the outcome of a game.
History of the Infield Fly Rule
The infield fly rule was created to protect runners who were put in an unfair situation when fielders stopped trying to catch fly balls in the infield so they could intentionally try to start a double play. The most common way to make a double play is when a fielder fields a ground ball with 1 out or less and with a runner on first base, or first and second base or first, second and third base. If a fielder drops the fly ball on purpose, they can pick it up and attempt a double play. If they catch the ball, however, a ground ball double play isn’t possible. Runners are taught to stay close to the base on fly balls, but in most situations, they’re supposed to run automatically on ground balls. They stay close to the bag on fly balls so they can either tag up and try to move forward another base or get back to the base, so they won’t get thrown out. On ground balls, they must move if they are on first base or first and second base or first, second and third base. Intentionally letting a ball drop to initiate a double play violates the spirit of fair play.
One documented incident of the confusion these plays caused occurred in 1872 when Troy, a professional team from upstate New York, played the Philadelphia Athletics. In that game, Troy shortstop Davey Force appeared to misplay a fly ball with all 3 bases occupied. The ball bounced in and out of Force’s glove. The runner on third base, Wes Fisler, seeing the ball pop out, ran home. The umpire ruled that Force caught the ball, and that Fisler was out because he left the base without tagging up. You must wait until a ball is caught if you’re a runner before you can try to advance. If the current infield fly rule were in place for that play, the batter would’ve automatically been out, and the runners would have been allowed to advance at their risk. In 1894, baseball officially adopted the infield fly rule. The rule hasn’t changed much since it was put in place.
Common Misunderstandings of the Infield Fly Rule
The infield fly rule, used at every level of baseball and softball, is perhaps one of the most misunderstood rules in the game. Below are some questions and answers about some misperceptions about the rule.
Question: Does the pop fly have to take place in the infield for the infield fly rule to be called?
Answer: No. A ball that drifts into the outfield grass just outside the infield can qualify for the infield fly rule. It’s the umpires’ judgment on whether the infield fly rule applies.
Question: Can runners advance on the infield fly rule?
Answer: Yes, a runner can tag up after the infielder has made the catch or after the ball has dropped.
Question: Is an infielder the only position that can make a catch for the infield fly rule?
Answer: No, any player including an outfielder can make the catch on an infield fly play. The only requirement is that the ball must be hit within or near the confines of the infield.
Even though the infield fly rule can be misapplied on occasion, it’s still a necessary component of making the game for runners who are on base with less than 2 outs. The rule ensures that infielders can’t purposely make a bad play to get what ultimately could be a better result for them.