What Is An Infield Fly Rule In Baseball?

The Infield Fly Rule is one of the most misunderstood rules in baseball. Get a clear explanation of what it is and when it is used.

What is an Infield Fly Rule?

The Infield Fly Rule is a rule in baseball that states that if there are less than two outs in the inning, and a fair ball is hit within the infield towards first or second base, the batter is out if the ball is caught in the air by an infielder. This is typically done in order to prevent the defense from turning a double play.

There are some exceptions to this rule. If there are runners on first and second base, and the ball is caught by an infielder, the runner on first base is not out. Additionally, if the ball hits the ground before it is caught by an infielder, it is not an Infield Fly, and the batter can still be put out if he/she is running to first base.

The Infield Fly Rule was put into place in 1895 in order to prevent teams from purposely hitting fly balls to infielders in order to turn double plays.

When is the Infield Fly Rule used?

The Infield Fly Rule is a rule in baseball that dictates when a ball can be caught by an infielder for an out, and when the batter is automatically awarded first base. The purpose of the rule is to prevent the defense from intentionally dropping a fly ball in order to turn a double play.

The Infield Fly Rule is typically only used when there are runners on first base and second base with less than two outs. If the batter hits a pop up into the infield and there are runners on first and second base, the infield fly rule comes into effect and the batter is automatically awarded first base. The reason for this is that the defense would be able to easily turn a double play if they were able to catch the ball and throw out the runner at second base.

The Infield Fly Rule can be confusing at first, but it is actually a fairly simple rule. If you remember that it only applies when there are runners on first and second base with less than two outs, you should be able to understand when it comes into play.

What are the benefits of the Infield Fly Rule?

There are several benefits to the Infield Fly Rule. Perhaps the most important is that it prevents the defense from purposely dropping a fly ball in order to get an easy out. Without this rule, teams would be tempted to do this whenever there were runners on first and second with less than two outs. This would effectively take the bat out of the hands of the offense, and would make for a very boring game!

Another benefit of the Infield Fly Rule is that it tends to speed up play. This is because there is no need for the infielders to wait around and see if the batter is going to hit the ball before they can start running in to catch it. They can just start running as soon as the ball is hit, safe in the knowledge that if it’s caught, the batter will be out regardless.

Finally, the Infield Fly Rule also has some social benefits! It promotes fair play and sportsmanship, as teams cannot gain an unfair advantage by intentionally dropping a fly ball.

What are the drawbacks of the Infield Fly Rule?

Under the Infield Fly Rule, the batter is out when a fielder calls for a fly ball within the infield, and there are fewer than two outs and first and second base are occupied. The Infield Fly Rule is meant to protect runners from being tagged out on an easy fly ball when the defense is trying to turn a double play. However, there are some drawbacks to the Infield Fly Rule.

First, the Infield Fly Rule can be confusing for casual baseball fans. It is often one of the first rules that new fans learn, but it can still be confusing because it does not happen often. Second, the Infield Fly Rule can be controversial because it is one of the few rules that is not reviewable by instant replay. This means that if there is a disputed call, there is no way for the umpires to review it and make a correction. Finally, some people argue that the Infield Fly Rule gives an unfair advantage to the defense because it allows them to get an out without having to make a play.