Infield fly rule why is batter out

Scenario 2 Umpire Fails to Call Infield Fly but should have A fly ball that meets all the requirements for an infield fly, but is not declared as such, is not an infield fly. Coaching Advice: Expect a pop-up bunt Base runners who are expecting a bunt should be reminded that a bunt is not an Infield Fly so if it drops, they must run.

Aggressive defense can get your team some timely outs double plays when your fielders are taught the nuances of when to allow a pop-up bunt fall to the ground without being touched.

Infield Fly. Dave Johnson July 13, at pm - Log in to Reply. Under NFHS rules, an undeclared infield fly is still an infield fly, and the batter is still out. If the fly ball is in an area that would not allow for an easy double-play, then odds are good that the Infield Fly should not be called. However, in those grey areas where there is doubt one way or the other, a good umpire will protect the runners and call the batter out.

Runners on first and second and no outs. Left-handed pull batter at the plate. Defensive coach puts on shift placing all infielders and outfielders to the first base side of second base. Batter hits shallow pop up that will land in fair territory near third base. Therefore, nobody takes more than a few steps while the ball is in the air. This gives the opportunistic third baseman an opening. He camps under the ball, but at the last second, lets it drop. He then picks it up, steps on third base to force out the runner on second, then fires to second to force the runner on first.

What should have been one out becomes a double play that ends the inning and the scoring threat. This is the reason behind the rule -- to prevent the defense from deliberately missing a catch in order to take advantage of runners who are trapped. This situation does not apply if there are no runners on base, or the runners on base cannot be forced.

The most well known, significant and controversial implementation of the infield fly rule took place in the first National League Wild Card Game, in It relies on human judgment. In this case, the Braves and Cardinals were playing in Atlanta, in a win-or-go-home game to determine who advanced to the NL Division Series. Louis led, , but Atlanta had runners on first and second with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning, looking to rally.

Cardinals shortstop Pete Kozma drifted back, well on to the outfield grass, while left fielder Matt Holliday moved toward him. Each thought the other had called it, and neither made the catch. 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. 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. A similar situation can happen if the ball hits in fair territory before the bases and then rolls foul before being touched by a defensive player. You might see this on a pop-up to the catcher or pitcher. The ball is missed and the backspin takes the ball foul after it is missed.

In this case just like the last, the infield fly rule doesn't apply and it's a foul ball. To keep the same line of thought going, let's say a popup is hit to first base, the umpire yells "Infield fly, batter is out. The first baseman misses the ball and it hits in fair territory and rolls into foul territory after going past first base.

Since this would normally be a hit, the infield fly rule does apply and the batter is out. Nope, there's more. Where the ball is caught can be another point of confusion. Let's say your second baseman is playing on the dirt and takes a few steps back onto the outfield grass to catch the popup and you hear the umpire call the infield fly rule.

You think the player is on the outfield grass, so the call shouldn't be made.