Situation #15: Infield Fly Rule

            The infield fly rule is in effect anytime there are runners on first and second or bases loaded with less than two outs. The purpose of the rule is to protect the offensive team from the trick double play. Sometimes, however, the runners trick themselves.

            If a fly ball is hit (other than a bunt or line drive) and the umpire determines that an infielder should be able to catch it with ordinary effort, the umpire shall declare, “Infield fly!

Batter’s out!”. This alerts the runners that regardless of the outcome of the infielder’s attempt to catch the ball, the batter has been declared out and all force plays removed.

            Since the ball remains alive and in play when the infield fly rule is invoked, runners may advance at their own risk. In this play, the runner on second was not forced because the batter had been called out. He left second base at his own peril and should be declared out. His baserunning mistake created the double play, not any trickery by the defensive team.