Does the umpire have to call the infield fly?
The infield fly only counts if the umpire actually calls it. If he didn't, the batter isn't out, no matter how right the situation looked.
Most coaches know the setup for an infield fly. There are fewer than two outs and runners on first and second, or the bases loaded. And there’s a fair pop-up that an infielder can catch with ordinary effort. The batter is out whether it’s caught or not.
But every piece of that setup carries weight, and the umpire has to say it out loud. If any one of them is missing, it isn’t an infield fly.
It has to be called. The umpire declares “infield fly” while the ball is in the air. If he doesn’t, the batter isn’t out, even if the situation looked perfect. You can appeal, but the rule doesn’t apply itself.
It also has to be a fly ball. Line drives don’t count. Neither do bunts. A soft liner to the shortstop with the bases loaded is a regular play (and if he drops it on purpose, that’s a different rule entirely).
It has to be fair, too — and when the pop-up is near a line, the umpire should say “infield fly, if fair.” If it then drops untouched in foul territory, it’s a foul ball and the batter is still up.
It has to be catchable with ordinary effort. A pop-up that sends the shortstop sprinting into shallow left isn’t ordinary effort, but the umpire has to judge that before the ball comes down.
Once it’s called, the ball is live, and we need our runners to know it. They can tag up if it’s caught. If it drops, they aren’t forced, so they can stay or go at their own risk.
Which of these four pieces do you hear argued most at your son’s games?
Which rulebook? Official Baseball Rules, Definitions of Terms, 'Infield Fly,' and 5.09(a)(5). NFHS and Little League match. The umpire is supposed to declare it while the ball is in the air, and 'Infield fly, if fair' when it's near a line.
Runners on first and second, no outs. A soft line drive goes right at the shortstop. He lets it drop on purpose, picks it up and starts a double play. What’s the ruling?
Still have a question? Ask Coach Fungo.
“Line drives and bunts don't count, and a pop-up that lands untouched in foul ground is a foul ball.”
Can a coach touch a runner?
Yes -- what a coach can't do is help him. A high-five or a pat on the back is fine, but grab him, push him, hold him or pull him back to the bag, and the runner is out.
“Give him a high-five as he rounds third if you want, but keep your hands off his jersey on a live ball.”
What counts as a catch?
A catch is secure possession in the hand or glove, plus letting go on purpose. How long he held it and whether he juggled it first don't matter, but a ball stuck in his cap isn't a catch.
“Squeeze it, then throw it. Do it in that order and you'll never have this argument.”
The rules quiz
Ten questions, two minutes. Would you have gotten the call right?
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