Can someone please explain the infield fly rule?
543464
Infield Fly Rule\nThe infield fly rule always seems to be a point of confusion for players, coaches, and parents watching a game. The purpose of the infield fly rule is to prevent a defensive team from purposely dropping or not catching an infield fly with the intention of trying to turn a double play.\n\nWhy we need the infield fly rule\nIf there was no infield fly rule, the following could happen: Runners are on first and second with less than 2 outs. Pop fly is hit to the third baseman. He intentionally drops the fly ball, picks it up, touches third and then throws to second for a double play. It's an easy double play because both runners are tagging up on their bases expecting the ball to be caught.\n\nWhen can the infield fly rule be called?\n\nLess than 2 outs. It's purpose is to prevent a double play. \nRunner on first and second, or bases loaded. (There must to be a force at third base)\nSo where's the confusion?\nAs usual, the confusion is in the details and the combination of things that can happen. One point of confusion is that many people mistakenly think that the infield fly rule applies when there is only a runner on first base. This isn't the case. When there is no force play at home or third, the only way to turn a double play, by intentionally dropping the ball, is if the batter doesn't run to first base. In this case the infield fly rule doesn't apply and the defensive team could turn a double play. I don't think anyone will feel bad for the batter in this scenario.\n\nSo now that we know the game situation that the infield fly rule can be called, let's move on to the call itself. The main thing to remember is that the infield fly rule is a judgment call by the umpire. If the umpire determines that a player can make the catch with ordinary effort, then he/she can apply the rule. After the ball is hit in the air, you should hear the umpire yell, "Infield fly, batter is out." If you don't hear the umpire yell that, then assume the rule doesn't apply. The rule is written to give the umpire the ability to determine whether to apply the rule or not. Here is an example when the rule may not applied by the umpire. Runners on first and second. The third baseman charges toward home on a bunt coverage. The batter swings away and pops the ball up by third base. The umpire determines that the ball cannot be caught with ordinary effort, so he says nothing. The infield fly rule is not applied and the third baseman can pick the ball off the ground (if he missed it) and touch third base for a force out if the runner hasn't made it to third yet. Make sure you and your players don't assume that the infield fly rule is automatically enforced based on the situation. It is still a judgment call by the umpire.\n\nAnother point of confusion (and this is confusing) has to do with the ball being fair or foul. For example, you could have the umpire call out "Infield fly, batter is out.", and then not have the batter be out. How can that happen? The infield fly rule only applies to a fair ball. So let's say a pop up is hit down the third base line. The umpire makes his call and then the ball drifts into foul territory. Whether the ball is caught or not, the infield fly rule no longer applies. So, if the ball is dropped by the third baseman in foul territory, it's simply a foul ball and the batter is still up. In this case, umpires are taught to yell, "Infield fly if fair". The umpire may mistakenly make the first call and just because he called the batter out, doesn't mean he is out in this situation. The correct call is simply a foul ball.\n\nA similar situation can happen if the ball hits in fair territory (before the bases) and then rolls foul (before being touched by a defensive player). You might see this on a pop-up to the catcher or pitcher. The ball is missed and the backspin takes the ball foul after it is missed. In this case just like
491872
If there is a runner on first and second, or on first, second and third, and there is less than 2 outs, then on a pop-up in the infield and infield fly is called. Otherwise, the fielder could just let the ball drop and it would be an easy double play. When an infield fly is called, the batter is automatically out and the runners can advance at their own risk.
1065280
It is the same as in baseball i think.   You take the total of bases from your hits.  1 for a single 2 for a double 3 for a triple and 4 for a homerun and divide it by the number of at bats.
1019144
they do its called drop third strike. its just that in the mlb the catchers are smart enough to tag the batter after the thrid strike just in case
566009
The rule was changed so that play would not be interrupted unnecessarily. Like you, I didn't quite get it. I looked up "new offside rule" on Google and came up with the link below. It seems to explain it quite well.
1038421
slugging % is based on power.\n\nhomerun=4\ntriple=3\ndouble=2\nsingle=1\n\nadd the total bases then divide by the number of at -bats.\n\nNOTE:\n\nwalks, hbp, errors, sacs, and dropped 3rd strikes do NOT count as an "at-bat".
1100472
He's safe.  Rule 7.05(d): Each runner including the batter runner may, without liability to be put out, advance-\n\n(d) Two bases, if a fielder deliberately touches a thrown ball with his cap, mask or any part of his uniform detached from its proper place on his person. The ball is in play
277869
The manager for the USA, Buck Martinez felt he saw the runner from 3rd base leave for home plate before the fielder caught the ball. The 3rd base unpire ruled he left at the right moment, however, Martinez asked the Home Plate Umpire (who has the call to make in the first place) to get the other unps together and get the call right. The home plate ump ruled the runner left before the feilder caught the ball, therefore, reversing the call. Oh Yeah, the replays showed the call was right the first time. What can you say? The USA stole one.
1029433
Greetings from the Yahoo Brain in New York City!  \nHope you're watching the live Answers webcast at http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/asktheplanet/brain.html !\n\n\nI know many teams employ a seemingly random rotation between the second baseman and the shortstop, so as to keep the opposing batters guessing as to where the hole would be.\n\nHope this helps!\n\n--J.
406784
definately the intentional walks, it is cheap and takes the bat away from the hitter basically. im not saying it should entirely be done with because pitcher can still walk their batter by pitching outside the strike zone, but they need to regulate how many intentional walks are allowed. ive always wanted this type of rule where you are only allowed to intentionally walk a each batter once in a game. this is especially a good idea because of barry bonds and albert pujols type of players.
692380
The plate appearance counts but the base doesn't.  the play counts the same as if the fielder did not committ the error.  So if a hitter reaches base via error, their OB% will go down.
1029100
It is 0, the runner must make it to first base safely without any other outs recorded to have any of the runs coun, very nice question, and the guy a few questions up read it wrong, two outs stop all preceding runs\n\n7.12 Unless two are out, the status of a following runner is not affected by a preceding runner's failure to touch or retouch a base. If, upon appeal, the preceding runner is the third out, no runners following him shall score. If such third out is the result of a force play, neither preceding nor following runners shall score.
759670
Depends what position you are playing and how many outs there are, etc. You have a force out at second but not third, so most likely that's your best play. If there are two outs, throw to first or second, depending on which one's the easiest play. If less that two outs and you are playing the infield, try looking back the runner at third and holding him there before thowing to first or second to save a run. If the runner at third is going home and you're confident you can get him tagged out, you may want to throw to the catcher.
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Hello,\n\nSoftball Rules Simplified   \n\nTHE GAME\n\nThere are 9 players on a softball team. \nThe playing field is divided into the infield and outfield \nThe lines between the bases are 60’ apart and when joined they form a “diamond”, inside the baseline is known as the infield \nOutside the baseline but inside the playing field is called the outfield. \nAny ball going outside the 1st or 3rd base line is a foul ball ( runners can not advance and the batter gets another try unless the ball was caught in the air, which translates to an out) \nAn official game is 7 innings (a inning is when both teams have had their turn to bat) \n\n\nPITCHING\n\nThe pitcher must have both feet on the pitcher’s rubber and can only take one step forward while pitching. \nThe ball must be thrown underhand. \nBoth hands must be on the ball at the start of the pitch. \n\n\nBATTING\n\nBatters must follow the same order throughout the whole game \nThe batter is out if and when: \na) three strikes have been called\n\nb) a fly ball is caught\n\nc) the batter does not stand in the batter’s box\n\n\nBASE RUNNING\n\nRunners must touch each base in order \nRunners may overrun 1st base only, all other bases the runner may be tagged and called out if they are off the base. \nRunners can not lead off a base, they must be on base until the ball as left the pitcher’s hand \nAfter a fly ball has been caught the base runner must tag the occupied base before advancing to the next base \nOne base runner can not pass another base runner that is ahead of them. \nStealing a base is not permitted \nA runner is out if: \na. they are tagged with the ball before reaching a base\n\nb. the ball gets to 1st base before the runner\n\nc. they run more than 3 feet out of the base line to avoid being tagged\n\n\nTERMS:\n\nBall- a legally pitched ball that does not enter the strike zone (four balls equals a walk) \nGrounder- A ball that is hit on the ground \nForce out- when the runner has to advance to the next base to make room for the following base runner. \nFly ball- ball hit up in the air to the infield \nOn deck- the next batter \nPop up- ball hit up in the air to the infield \nStrike- term used when a ball is swung at and missed or is called when the ball enters the strike zone and is not swung at all. \nStrike zone- the ball passes the batter over the plate between their chest and knees  \n\nSreekar.
262812
When you play baseball outdoors, the rules of the sport that you use (high school, college, pro, etc) govern, along with any local league rules that may or may not take precedence over the "official" rules.  You also have ground rules that apply to each individual park, such as how to treat the front of the dugout (live or dead), whether you can throw from the dugout (college rules make this a ground rule), and so on.\n\nPlaying indoors is basically the same, though you may have to add some more ground rules.  For example, if you play in the Metrodome in Minnesota... what if the ball hits a speaker above fair or foul ground?  What if the ball goes through a hole in the fabric protecting the roof?  These aren't covered in the rules, so Major League baseball had to come up with something (the speakers are live; pretend the ball didn't hit them... and it's a double if the ball stays in the ceiling)... :)
318045
Unless the ball is ruled dead by the umpire, any runner can attempt to advance.  Since the batter was not entitled to try and advance, he would just be directed back to the batter's box to finish his at-bat.  If the catcher makes a throw to 1st base, it simply creates a better opportunity for the runner at 3rd to score.
1142957
http://www.mlb.com/rules