Rule 2.00: Definition of Terms – Infield Fly Rule FAQs

The elements of the rule remain the same.  In consideration of the ordinary effort required by an infielder to catch the fly ball, the application of the Infield Fly rule is affected by the division of play.  The average skill level of players in lower Minor divisions can make it challenging to catch any fly ball, let alone allow it to drop to the ground untouched and turn an unearned double play.  For this reason, how an umpire determines ordinary effort may vary with the division of play.  Many local leagues do not enforce the infield fly rule in their lower Minor divisions.  By rule, the Infield Fly rule does not apply in Tee Ball.

The runner is out for interference.  If the fly ball is ruled fair, the batter is also out on the Infield Fly rule.  If the fly ball is ruled foul, the batter returns to bat and, if they had <2 strikes, a strike is added to the count.

Umpires should not allow the defense to turn a double play because they did not properly call an infield fly.  This is a correctable error, and the batter should be called out when the play has ended.  Any runners should be placed equitably.

For example, with R1 and R2 and one out, a fly ball is hit, and the third base fielder comfortably settles under the ball.  There is no call of “Infield Fly, Batter’s out” made by the umpire.  At the last moment, the third base fielder allows the batted ball to fall to the ground, recovers the ball, steps on third base forcing out R2 and throws to 2^nd base, forcing out R1.  The batter-runner reaches 1^st base safely.

Recommended ruling:

1. Rule an Infield Fly, call the batter out and remove her/him from first base.
2. Return R2 and R1 to their time-of-pitch bases.

Logic for the equity ruling:  Had the Infield Fly been properly called and both teams acted as well coached teams would, the batter being out and R1 and R2 at their Time-of-Pitch bases is how the play would have ended.

A fly ball is defined as batted ball that goes high into the air.  For the Infield Fly rule, this cannot be a fly ball from an attempted bunt. The fly ball must be able to be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, in the judgement of the umpire.

The umpire may rule an Infield Fly when any defensive player attempts to catch the fly ball, if the umpire adjudges that the fly ball could have been caught by an infielder with ordinary effort.