The importance of calling out "infield fly, batters out"

[BulldawgsDirector]

Had the umpire made the call- loud and proud-, the defense would have understood that the play at the plate was no longer a force out.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...um=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national

 

[snoman76]

Had a NON call over the weekend and thought it should have been called. runners on 1st and 2nd less than 2 outs. Fly ball between 1st and 2nd but deep infield, ball dropped all runners safe. Other team did not question the non call and when I asked the umpire after the inning on why he didn't call it he said because it has to be a routine play by the infielder in order for it to be called.. I've never heard that before. Had the same situation happen later that day (different ump) and the infield fly was called (ball was caught anyway). Both cases worked in my favor so I'm not complaining but just curious to know the actual rule. I always thought that no matter what if the ball is in the infield period its an infield fly rule batter out call.

 

[sftball follower]

If umpire feels it is a routine play for the infielder then infield fly should be called. Ball can be anywhere including short outfield say, but if umpire feels it should be a routine play for infielder then they would call it. Remember runners can advance at their own risk if the ball is missed or caught; however, force play is not in effect and runner must be tagged trying to advance. The kicker...it's a judgment call

 

[BulldawgsDirector]

Its not a judgment call between the pitcher and catcher such as the above video. What you are talking about is the edge of the grass or up the middle.

 

[Louuuuu]

It's ALWAYS a judgment call...

In the case of the video, it was a blown judgment call.

 

[gcg3refs]

Infield fly has to be fair, and MUST be ordinary effort by that fielder in order to have the infield fly to be called.