Is there a reason that the batter is automatically called out when ‘infield fly’ is called? Wouldn’t it be more fair if the batter and other runners advanced one base if the ball is dropped? After all, the rule was created to prevent fielders from intentionally dropping pop flies for easy double plays. They should still bear the responsibility of making the catch. Of course, I could be missing something.
I suppose it’s this way because it’s unfair to make the umpire determine whether the ball was intentionally or accidently dropped. The fielders are at the advantage if the ball is dropped, so they’re certainly got the motivation to fake it, and I can’t imagine that professional ball players drop infield flies more than once in a blue moon.
On a normal pop up, the batter isn’t out until the ball is caught. And if it’s dropped, he’s standing on 1st. Why should he lose that possibility?
Because it could be almost impossible to tell the difference between someone playing the system and someone who makes an honest mistake, and the Powers That Be have decided that rather than have angry fans yelling about people gaming the system (because it’s only one infield fly in a thousand or so that would actually, legitimately be dropped, and there would certainly be more fakers than real drops) are worse than that batter winning his long-shot gamble.
But his point is that the Defense isn’t punished at all for dropping a infield fly now. If they make a legitimate error they are still almost assured of getting an out.
In case I wasn’t clear, here’s what would make it fairer IMHO: When ‘infield fly’ is called by the ump, there would be 2 possible outcomes. If the ball is caught, the batter is out. But if it’s dropped, each runner and the batter should advance 1 base. This way, the defense doesn’t get a free out. What’s wrong with that?
Well, it’s only invoked if there are fewer than 2 outs, and if runners are on 1st and 2nd base (third optional).
The defense is punished; they have no way of turning the play into a double or triple play. A single out for the batter is the only outcome, and frankly is more beneficial to the batting team, not the fielding team.
The problem with eliminating the infield fly rule entirely is that the fielding team is actually rewarded for dropping the ball with a double play.
Your proposed change, actually, I agree is better. The fielding team is actually penalized for dropping the ball in the outlandish situation that they actually screw up.
I can propose an even simpler change–you can’t get a double force-out on an infield fly. That’s all. That’s all the rule is designed to prevent.
Bases loaded, nobody out, pop up, infield fly is called, and the ball falls to earth. Play proceeds as normal, and the defense can make a force at the plate. (Or second or third.) After that, if they try to get another force out at another base, the runner is automatically called safe.
I remember a Cubs game several (10?) years ago where they turned a triple play on an infield fly against the Giants. The Giants had bases loaded, no outs, and someone hit a pop fly. Infield fly rule was called (an automatic out), but the Cub player dropped the ball. The Giant baserunners probably didn’t know the intricacies of the infield fly rule, so they thought they had to start running as soon as the ball was dropped to avoid being forced out. Two of their baserunners got tagged out trying to advance, completing the triple play.
Yes, the infield fly rule only applies to the batter, who is automatically out. The other runners should play as if ‘infield fly’ was never called. If you’re a baserunner, and you step off of your base, you’re on your own. It’s surprising that many professional players don’t understand this. We knew this back in little league.
I found an account of this triple play on retrosheet.org-> noteworthy events-> triple plays. For some reason, it neglects to mention that the ball was dropped but that the infield fly rule had been invoked. It happened on 5/10/1997, and there were runners on 1st & 2nd (not bases loaded). Retrosheet doesn’t let me link to that exact web page.
Emphasis added.
No.
No they should not.
If the baserunners were to play as if ‘infield fly’ was never called, they would assume they would have to advance to the next base to avoid a force out if the pop up is dropped.
They should most definitely play with the thought that ‘infield fly’ WAS called, as then they would know that the batter is out and they are NOT forced to try to advance to the next base if the pop fly is dropped.
You’re right. My bad.
The confusion in that case was that the ball had carried into the outfield, and the runners weren’t sure it was an infield fly. (In theory they should have watched for the umpire’s signal, but they were probably watching the fielders.) The ball was ultimately fielded and thrown back in by the Cubs center-fielder, but the umpire felt that the second-baseman could have caught it with “ordinary effort”.