what is the infield fly rule?

Answer 1

The infield fly rule is a baseball rule intended to prevent the defense from getting a "cheap" double play by deliberately dropping a fly ball in the infield. The rule refers mainly to pop-ups, since line drives or weakly hit fly balls that fall to the ground immediately would not allow time for the defense to react fast enough to catch the baserunners off-guard. Because it is applied infrequently and is somewhat technical, the infield fly rule has an exaggerated reputation for being difficult to understand. In popular culture it is portrayed as the sporting world's equivalent to rocket science or brain surgery as an abstruse, technical topic comprehensible only to the select few.

In reality, the infield fly rule is not that complicated. It applies only if the following criteria are met:

There are less than two out
First base and second base are occupied or the bases are loaded
The batter hits a fair fly ball (not a bunt or line drive) catchable by an infielder with ordinary effort. For the purposes of the rule, any fielder, including the pitcher and catcher who is stationed in the general vicinity of the infield counts as an infielder.
If all three criteria are met, the batter is out, whether a fielder catches the ball or not. The only exception is if the ball falls untouched and then bounces into foul territory before passing first or third base, in which case it is a foul ball. Because the batter is out the runners are not forced to advance, though they are permitted to do so at their own risk. As with any other fly ball, the runners must tag before advancing if the ball is caught on the fly and need not tag if it is not caught.

The purpose of the infield fly rule is to prevent the defense from getting a "cheap" double play. In theory, if the rule were not in effect, the runners would be in a no-win situation. If they move away from their starting bases, they are liable to be put out on appeal for not returning to base after a catch. If they stay on or near their bases, the defense could drop the fly deliberately and then record a force out double play.

Answer 2

No, In your case, you're missing the runner on 2nd base which is required for it to be an infield fly. For the infield fly rule to apply, all of the following must be true: 1) First AND Second base occupied at the time of the pitch (meaning if runners are stealing on the pitch, it still counts as occupying those bases). Note: Third base doesn't matter, there can be a runner or no runner, only 1st and 2nd matter. 2) there must be less than 2 outs. 3) in the umpires judgement, an infeilder can catch the ball with "reasonable effort" (this means that if a player would have to dive to reach it, it shouldn't be an infield fly, but it is entirely the judgement of the umpire) 4) it must be a fly ball (a line drive right at a fielder might be caught with "reasonable effort" but its not a flyball so its not an infiled fly) 5) it must be a fair ball. If a potential infield fly is anywhere near the foul line, umpires are instructed to call "Infield fly if Fair" then the ball is determined fair/foul the same way any batted ball is determined. If its fair, the batter is out on the infield fly, if its foul its just another foul ball. For this reason its a good idea for a fielder to go ahead and catch the ball, that way if it is in foul teritory it would still count as a caught foul ball and the batter would be out. Keep in mind that the purpose of the rule is to avoid a double or triple play on a hit that should only count as 1 out. On an infield pop-up runners have to hold at their bases because if the ball is caught, they'll be thrown out before they can tag up. Without the infield fly rule a fielder could intentionally drop an easy pop up, then pick it up and tag 3rd for a force out, throw to 2nd for another out on the runners that were holding. So if there are already 2 outs, there's no threat of a double play so there's no need to use the infield fly rule. With only a runner on first base (second base open), the batter should reach 1st easily before the ball comes down and can be thrown to 1st (assuming he actually runs down the line, which very few players do on an infield pop up), so the only player that can be out if the ball is dropped is the runner from 1st.

Answer 3

"An INFIELD FLY is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out. The pitcher, catcher and any outfielder who stations himself in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose of this rule.
When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an Infield Fly, the umpire shall immediately declare “Infield Fly” for the benefit of the runners. If the ball is near the baselines, the umpire shall declare “Infield Fly, if Fair.”
The ball is alive and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught, or retouch and advance after the ball is touched, the same as on any fly ball. If the hit becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul.
If a declared Infield Fly is allowed to fall untouched to the ground, and bounces foul before passing first or third base, it is a foul ball. If a declared Infield Fly falls untouched to the ground outside the baseline, and bounces fair before passing first or third base, it is an Infield Fly."

Answer 4

When there are less than two outs and there are runner(s) on base forced to run, The batter is automatically out if he hits an infield fly ball. This is to prevent the fielder from intentionally dropping the ball and making a double play

Answer 5

When there are less than two outs and the runner(s) on base are forced to run, The batter is automatically out if he hits an infield fly ball. This is to prevent the fielder from intentionally dropping the ball and making a double play.

Answer 6

you are not allowed to play any infield position with your pants unzipped