The infield fly rule, explained for parents
The batter is out the moment the umpire calls it, whether the ball is caught or not. If it drops, the runners can stay where they are or advance at their own risk.
The infield fly causes more arguments in the stands than just about any rule in youth baseball. You’ve heard the umpire yell it. But what does it mean, and why is it there? Let me walk through it…
When it applies. There have to be fewer than two outs, with runners on first and second or the bases loaded. It has to be a fair fly ball that an infielder can catch with ordinary effort. A line drive or a bunt doesn’t count, of course.
Once the umpire calls the infield fly, the batter is out if the ball is fair. That happens immediately — even if it drops. The runners, however, are not forced to go anywhere. If the ball drops, they can stay at their bases or try to advance at their own risk.
Why?
Without the rule, an infielder could let a pop-up drop on purpose, pick it up and turn an easy double play on runners frozen at their bases. The rule takes that cheap trick away. It’s also why the rule needs at least two runners on base (first and second, or the bases loaded) with fewer than two outs.
What people get wrong. We tend to treat it as automatic, but it isn’t. The umpire has to call it. It should be called while the ball is in the air. If it drops untouched in foul territory, it’s simply a foul ball, and no out is recorded.
And with a runner on first only, there is no infield fly, no matter how high it goes.
Which rulebook? This card follows the Official Baseball Rules. Little League and high school (NFHS) apply the same rule with the same conditions.
Bases loaded, two outs. A pop-up goes to the second baseman. Is it an infield fly?
Still have a question? Ask Coach Fungo.
“With fewer than two outs and runners on first and second, listen for the umpire on any pop-up in the infield.”
The check swing: who makes the call, and who can ask
There's no rule about wrists or the barrel -- whether the batter offered at it is the umpire's call. On a ball, the catcher or manager can ask him to check with his partner, but a strike can't be appealed.
“You can yell 'He broke his wrists!' all you want, but you won't find it in any rulebook.”
Is a runner out if a thrown ball hits him?
No. The ball stays live and he keeps running, and he's out only if he got in the way of the throw on purpose.
“Keep running. Let the fielders worry about where the throw goes.”
The rules quiz
Ten questions, two minutes. Would you have gotten the call right?
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