Infield fly rule

[hypernova]

Am I the only one confused by this rule?

No, I'm not confused about the definition of it.  I'm confused as to why the batter is automatically out.  The rule was instituted as a safeguard for the at-bat team.  It was to prevent the fielding team from purposely allowing the ball to drop to then turn it into an easy double play.  OK.  That's a great rule.  Except the part where the batter is out.  Why does baseball reward the fielding team, regardless of the outcome?  If they allowed the ball to drop on purpose in order to fool the team at-bat, then it's an ethical issue, and they should be punished by allowing the batter to reach base as well as other baserunners advancing one base.  If they committed an error, then they should be punished by allowing the batter to reach base, and the baserunners advancing one base.  Why is it once this rule is invoked, the fielding team is free to screw up?

They say the purpose of the rule is to protect the team at-bat.  It prevents easy double plays.  But that's about it.  Errors are rare, but they are a part of baseball.  Fielding teams shouldn't be exempt from their mistakes just because of the trajectory of a fly ball.

[Le Chuck]

He's out because even if dropped it is likely that at least one runner would be out anyway (not to mention the rare triple) and this prevents the force. 

The ump has to enact the rule based on what he sees and there has to be at least a player on first and second.  The fielding team isn't rewarded as the rule does prevent double and triple plays and I'm willing to wager that 99 times out of 100 and infield pop would always end in at least one runner out.  If the ball is dropped the runners can still advance at their own peril. 

Seems legit to me.

[saint]

Poor Braves.

[Le Chuck]

Poor Braves.

 

[ChadTower]

I was a player, coach, or ump for 25 years. 

This was the right call.  It was way too late but that was 100% an infield fly.  The whole idea is that if any fielder can catch a ball with reasonable effort in fair territory, and a force exists at third base, and the play occurs in a spot where a dropped ball could make an easy double play possible, then the batter is automatically out. 

Two fielders had a reasonable chance to catch that ball.  There was a force at third base.  The play occured in shallow left field between second and third giving the fielder an easy chance to pick up the ball and turn a (assuming shortstop picks it up) 6-4-3 or 6-5-4 double play.  This clearly fits all requirements to be called an infield flyball out.

The only thing the umpire did wrong here was make the call too late.  In his defense that situation makes it a super balls to the wall judgement call and, even though he was right, it took major major cojones to raise his arm.  The real problem is that most of the fans don't understand the rule and went nuts in a totally inappropriate manner. 

[ChadTower]

I called this in the last inning of a game once and the coach went BERZERK.  It wasn't the third out, but somehow he had it in his head that a shallow fly ball behind second base was going to get his team 2 runs, so he was insane.  Screaming at me, yelling, calling me everything he could think of.  He was coaching 14 year olds.  I had to throw him out of the game and when he continued to harrass me I had to throw him off the field.  Had to keep the game stopped until he finally drove away after telling him if he came back while the game was in progress I would forfeit his team and if he came back after I'd call the cops and make a verbal assault complaint.  For a few minutes I thought I was going to have to throw down in the middle of a baseball field.  The incident was reported to his school and the league office but to my surprise I ran into him coaching the same team in the same league 6 weeks later.  No issues that day other than a very uncomfortable lineup submission meeting at home plate.

[hypernova]

But why is the fielding team absolved of any responsibility to actually make the catch once the call is made?  Sure they have to keep the runners at base, but we've all seen fielders make errors in catching fly balls.  This incident was one of them.

IMO, the batter should not be out.  The batter should be allowed to reach first, and all runners move up 1 base accordingly.  Does anyone have any reasons why it shouldn't be that way?  I can't come up with any at the moment.

I don't disagree with the call, as it was the right (albeit late) call.  I just think it's the wrong consequence for the rule.

[ChadTower]

But why is the fielding team absolved of any responsibility to actually make the catch once the call is made?  Sure they have to keep the runners at base, but we've all seen fielders make errors in catching fly balls.  This incident was one of them.

Because they fake it.  In 100 different ways.  The guy trips, he loses the ball in the sun on a cloudy day, the guys bump each like stooges, he fakes, he pretends to fake, he hikes the ball and completes a 15 yard out before dropping the baseball, anything.  An absolute rule here is the only way to avoid shenanigans.  And believe me over the years you see some serious shenanigans in baseball.