Infield Fly Rule Question?

Question

As I understand it, when an infield fly is called by the umpire, the batter is out and the runners can advance at their own risk. My question is...at what point can the base runners leave the base? Do they have to wait until the fielder catches or drops the ball since the batter is already out automatically or can they tag up and attempt to advance immediately after the infield fly rule is declared?

Answer 1

It is just like any fly ball. MLB rule 2.00 says that on an IF "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."

Answer 2

The runners have to wait until the ball is caught by the fielder, or until it hits the ground. Otherwise, you could have batters purposely skying a ball on the infield in certain situations, and players could advance multiple bases just waiting for the ball to come down.

This is from a page that explains the rule:

The other runners can try to advance at their own risk as they would on any other fly ball. If the ball is caught, the runners must tag up before advancing. If the ball is not caught, there is no need to tag up. The difference for the runner is that since the batter is out, there is no longer a force play and the runner doesn't need to advance, even if the ball is not caught.

Note - As Ryan stated, I should clarify that the runners can run whenever they want, but they risk being thrown out, especially if the ball is caught.

Answer 3

A runner may advance at his own risk on an infield fly, just as on any fly ball. Runner has to tag up after the catch (if the ball is caught). A runner would be very foolish to attempt to advance without being sure the ball will not be caught. At the big league level very few pop flies are not caught. At lower levels I imagine that a few are dropped and in that case the runner can advance at any time. Generally, though, infield flies are just like any other fly ball. The infield fly rule is intended to protect base runners, not the defensive team.

Answer 4

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 5

If the fielder does go ahead and catch the ball after the umpire's call, the runners must still tag up before advancing, just like any other fly ball anywhere on the field.
If the ball is dropped or allowed to hit the turf (and it is in fair territory), the runners can advance at their own risk because there is now no force play.

Answer 6

If the ball is caught, the runners must tag up as they would on any other caught fly ball. Otherwise, they run the risk of being doubled off.

Craig S. is quite wrong in saying the runners can't leave until the ball is caught or until it touches the ground. They can leave whenever they want. His answer implies that the runners could be called out on appeal if the runners left their bases before the ball dropped and reached the next base.

Answer 7

As soon as the fielder touches the ball the base-runners are released with-out threat of being doubled off on a catch,but they can run at any time

Answer 8

they have to wait 4 the catch to go. like some1 else said - it only protects the runner from them dropping the ball on purpose to force a double play.

Answer 9

They can run when ever they want. If the ball is caught they must tag up.

Answer 10

he has to wait until the ball is caught or dropped.