What Is The Infield Fly Rule In Major League Baseball?
The Infield Fly Rule is one of the strangest, and most confusing, rules in Major League Baseball. Learn what it is and how it works.
The Infield Fly Rule
The infield fly rule is a rule of baseball that treats certain fly balls as if they were line drives, regardless of where they land. It is designed to prevent the defense from deliberately dropping a fly ball to turn a double play. The rule is complex and has a number of conditions, but the basic idea is simple: if there are runners on first and second base with fewer than two outs, and the batter hits a fly ball that is caught by an infielder, the batter is automatically out.
What is the Infield Fly Rule?
In baseball, the Infield Fly Rule is a rule that treats certain fly balls as automatic outs. It is designed to prevent the offensive team from gaining an advantage by bunting a fly ball in order to produce a force out at any base.
The Infield Fly Rule applies to any fair fly ball that can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when there are less than two outs, and there are runners on first base and second base or the bases are loaded. If the Infield Fly Rule applies and the catch is not made, the batter is automatically out and the runner(s) advance one base.
When is the Infield Fly Rule used?
The Infield Fly Rule is used when there are less than two outs and there is a runner or runners on first base and/or second base. The rule prohibits the defense from getting an easy out by purposely letting a pop-up drop in the infield in order to turn a double play.
How does the Infield Fly Rule benefit the defense?
The Infield Fly Rule was put into place in order to prevent the defense from intentionally dropping a fly ball in order to turn a double play. By doing so, the defense would be able to get two outs on one play. While this may not seem like a big deal, it can be extremely beneficial to the defense, as it allows them to get out of a tough situation.
The Infield Fly Rule benefits the defense by giving them an extra out. This can be extremely beneficial in situations where the defense is struggling to get outs. In addition, the Infield Fly Rule prevents the defense from intentionally dropping a fly ball in order to turn a double play.
The Infield Fly Rule in Action
When there are fewer than two outs in the inning and a baserunner or runners on first and second base, the infield fly rule comes into effect. The batter hits a fly ball that lands in the infield and is caught by an infielder. The batter is automatically out and the runners advance to the next base.
An example of the Infield Fly Rule in action
The Infield Fly Rule in action – (What Is The Infield Fly Rule In Major League Baseball?)
Here’s an example of the Infield Fly Rule in action from a game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Houston Astros.
The Infield Fly Rule was invoked when Houston’s Alex Bregman hit a popup to short with one out and runners on first and second base in the bottom of the ninth inning.
With the infielders converging on the ball, it was apparent that no one was going to catch it, so umpires called for Bregman to be out automatically.
The rule is designed to prevent fielders from intentionally letting a ball drop in order to create a force out at another base. If the infield fly rule had not been in effect, Bregman would have been safe at first base and the Astros would have had runners on first and third with one out.
Instead, because of the rule, Bregman was out and the Astros were left with runners on first and second with two outs. They went on to lose the game 3-2.
A controversial call involving the Infield Fly Rule
In the 2012 National League Wild Card game, the Atlanta Braves were leading the St. Louis Cardinals 6-3 with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning and runners on first and second base. Andrelton Simmons lofted a fly ball to short left field. Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday caught the ball for the second out. But, in an effort to double off the runner at first base, Holliday threw wildly past first baseman Allen Craig, who was ranging over from his position at first base. As a result, both runners advanced, to second and third base.
With runners now on second and third base and just one out, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny had some big decisions to make. Should he bring in a relief pitcher? Or should he let his starter, Lance Lynn, continue to pitch?
Matheny ultimately decided to keep Lynn in the game. And that decision proved fateful — for two reasons. First, Lynn proceeded to strike out Braves pinch hitter David Ross to end the inning and preserve the Cardinals’ one-run lead. Second, and more importantly for our purposes here, Matheny’s decision resulted in a controversial call involving the Infield Fly Rule.
As play resumed in the top of the eighth inning, Braves batter Michael Bourn hit a popup into shallow left field. As Simmons had done earlier in the game, Bourn hit his popup just within reach of Cardinals infielders — in this case shortstop Pete Kozma and second baseman Daniel Descalso. Both Kozma and Descalso appeared to have a chance at catching Bourn’s popup for an out; but instead of calling for it or allowing one of them to catch it cleanly, they collided with each other while unsuccessfully attempting to catch it. The ball then fell harmlessly to the ground between them — resulting in what should have been an easy infield hit for Bourn.
But then something strange happened: The umpires called Bourn out because they ruled that he was subject to baseball’s Infield Fly Rule.[1] That call stunned both teams (and fans watching at home), as it effectively ended any hopes that the Braves might have had of staging a late-inning comeback against Lynn and Cardinal closer Jason Motte (who came on to get three outs in a non-save situation).
The Infield Fly Rule is designed to prevent infielders from intentionally dropping popups near them so that they can turn what would be an easy single into a bases-loaded double play situation.[2] But Bourn’s popup wasn’t dropped intentionally; it was simply misplayed by two inexperienced infielders who didn’t communicate with each other properly on who should make the catch attempt.[3]
Nevertheless, because Matheny had elected to keep Lynn in the game (instead of going with a relief pitcher),[4] Bourn’s at-bat fell under Rule 5.09(b)(3) of Major League Baseball’s Official Rules.[5] That rule provides that “the infield fly rule takes effect when there is an opportunity for an infielder [not pitcher or catcher]to catch a fair fly ball … before it touches ground,” provided certain other conditions are met as well.[6] One of those conditions is that “theuitfielder does not intentionally drop … [the ball],”[7] which clearly wasn’t satisfied here.[8] Nevertheless, because all other conditions were met,[9] home plate umpire Sam Holbrook called Bourn out on an Infield Fly Rule violation — much to everyone’s surprise (and consternation).[10]
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The Impact of the Infield Fly Rule
In baseball, the infield fly rule is a rule that the umpire can call when there is a potential for a fly ball to be caught by an infielder in foul territory. The rule is designed to prevent the infielders from purposely dropping the ball to force a double play. The rule was first implemented in the National League in 1895 and has been modified several times since then.
How has the Infield Fly Rule changed the game of baseball?
The Infield Fly Rule is one of the most misunderstood and controversial rules in baseball. It was put into place in 1895 to protect the offense from being victimized by an easy double play. The rule states that if there are less than two outs and a pop fly falls in the infield, the batter is automatically out, regardless of whether or not the ball is caught. This seems like a simple enough concept, but it has caused its fair share of problems over the years.
The main complaint about the rule is that it takes away the opportunity for the defense to make a play. In theory, this should not be a problem because the defense should be able to make an easy catch and turn a double play. However, in practice, this is not always the case. There have been many instances where the infield fly rule has been called and the ball has dropped between two fielders, resulting in only one out. This often happens when there is confusion on who should catch the ball.
Another issue with the rule is that it can be used to advantage of the defense. If a team is ahead by two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning with one out and a runner on first base, they may intentionally allow a pop fly to fall in order to set up a double play and end the game. This tactic is often referred to as “playing for goose eggs” because it allows the team to preserve their lead and come away with a victory.
The Infield Fly Rule has been a part of baseball for over 100 years and it does not seem like it is going anywhere anytime soon. It has changed the game in both good ways and bad, but it remains an important part of America’s pastime.
What are the benefits of the Infield Fly Rule?
The Infield Fly Rule is a rule in baseball that benefits the defense. When there are runners on first and second base with less than two outs, and the batter hits a pop up in the infield, the defense can catch the ball and get an automatic out. This is beneficial to the defense because it allows them to get an out without having to throw the ball to first base.
The Infield Fly Rule was put into place in 1895, and it has been controversial ever since. Some people believe that it benefits the defense too much, while others believe that it is fair because it balances out the fact that the defense has more players on the field than the offense.
Whether you agree with the Infield Fly Rule or not, there is no denying that it has a significant impact on the game of baseball.
