Rule Question

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Rule question, what if you have an infield fly rule called, no one makes a play on it and the ball

hits in fair and roles foul what do you have.

This happened in a high school game and I think I responded correctly, but would like to hear what others would have responded to this coach.

 

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I think it's a foul ball. Infield fly can only be called on fair balls and so it would be cancelled.

 

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Ah...a quick google got me some backup: http://www.qcbaseball.com/baseball_rules/infield_fly_rule1.aspx addresses this issue by saying:

"Another point of confusion (and this is confusing) has to do with the ball being fair or foul. For example, you could have the umpire call out "Infield fly, batter is out.", and then not have the batter be out. How can that happen? The infield fly rule only applies to a fair ball. So let's say a pop up is hit down the third base line. The umpire makes his call and then the ball drifts into foul territory. Whether the ball is caught or not, the infield fly rule no longer applies. So, if the ball is dropped by the third baseman in foul territory, it's simply a foul ball and the batter is still up. In this case, umpires are taught to yell, "Infield fly if fair". The umpire may mistakenly make the first call and just because he called the batter out, doesn't mean he is out in this situation. The correct call is simply a foul ball."

 

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If the ball hits fair and rolls foul before the base it is a foul ball and batter is not out. If it hits fair and rolls foul beyond the base it is a fair ball and batter is out. This is how it was explained to me a couple summers ago by an umpire. I'm interested to hear if he was correct.

 

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I would say it's a foul ball. I thought it was "infield fly if fair". Just because it's announced doesn't make it so if the ball goes foul. Where's Bretman?

 

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I'm sure Bretman will clarify further...but the proper call is a foul ball. What umpire should call on any ball hit close to foul ground is..."Infield fly is in effect if ball stays fair" Since this ball hit in fair ground and was not touched before rolling foul then you have no infield fly and the ball is foul.

 

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I'm sure Bretman will clarify further...but the proper call is a foul ball. What umpire should call on any ball hit close to foul ground is..."Infield fly is in effect if ball stays fair" Since this ball hit in fair ground and was not touched before rolling foul then you have no infield fly and the ball is foul.

No clarification needed IMO. Your explanation is spot on.

 

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Thanks. LK see you Friday, if mother nature doesn't interfer.

 

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Agree with those who said it is a foul ball if it rolls foul before going past a base and before being touched. Batter is not out, and runners can not advance.

 

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By rule, an infield fly must be (among other things) a fair batted ball.

If the ball becomes foul, it is simply a foul ball, with the same implications of any other batted ball that becomes foul.

Even if the umpire had already declared the infield fly, that doesn't change the rule- it's still just a foul ball.

We are instructed to call, "Infield fly, if fair", on balls hit close to the foul lines. But that in no way changes the rule or it's application. It's intended simply as a courtesy to the players and to help head off any confusion. The reality is that if they don't understand the rule to begin with, then adding "if fair" doesn't seem to ever make any difference. They'll still be confused if the ball lands fair but rolls foul.

Heck, half the time when I call a plain old ordinary infield fly (and I'm pretty loud about it) players and coaches claim that they didn't hear me!

 

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Thanks. How is the new job coming along? I just wanted to make sure I was right to tell a coach the umpire was wrong. Bret I guess taking the umpire test on line , I still have some of it in my old brain.

 

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The new job is going fine! Do you guys have a scrimmage at the high school tonight. I'm just a few minute away from there.

Of course, everything in Lexington is just a few minutes away from everything else!

 

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Yes they scrimmage Northmor at 4:30...moving inside if it rains.

 

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Darn. I get off work at 4:30 and was halfway back to Columbus before I realized that I forgot to check back on this thread! Maybe one of these days I'll stop over and watch a game.