Infield Fly Rule: In Plain Words

Where the rule lives in the current book

The infield fly is covered in the Definitions of Terms, under the entry “Infield Fly.” That entry gives the full definition and the umpire’s call.

The batter-out part is at Rule 5.09(a)(5). Rule 5.09(a) is headed “Retiring the Batter,” and it begins, “A batter is out when.” Item (5) in that list is: “An Infield Fly is declared.”

Older copies of the rules, and many old web pages, cite other numbers for this rule. Those numbers are from retired editions of the book. In the current book, look in the Definitions of Terms under “Infield Fly” and at Rule 5.09(a)(5).

What an infield fly is

The rule book defines it this way, in plain words:

• It is a fair fly ball.
• It is not a line drive.
• It is not an attempted bunt.
• An infielder can catch it with ordinary effort.

For this rule, the pitcher and the catcher count as infielders. So does any outfielder who stations himself in the infield on the play.

The bases and the outs

The rule only comes up in one base setup:

• First and second base are occupied, or
• first, second and third bases are occupied,
• and the hit comes before two are out — that is, with no outs or with one out.

If those bases are not filled that way, or if there are already two out, there is no infield fly.

“Ordinary effort,” in plain words

The rule book has its own definition of “ordinary effort.” It is the effort that a fielder of average skill at that position, in that league or class of leagues, should show on a play — with due consideration given to the condition of the field and the weather conditions.

Plain-words gloss: Think of a normal catch that a normal player at that spot should make, in the field and weather conditions of that day. An easy, routine catch counts. A hard, running, reaching play does not.

The rule book’s comment on the infield fly adds this: the umpire rules on whether the ball could ordinarily have been handled by an infielder. The umpire does not use an arbitrary limit, such as the grass or the base lines. A ball can be an infield fly even if an outfielder handles it, if, in the umpire’s judgment, an infielder could have handled it just as easily.

What the umpire calls

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 rule book’s comment says the infield fly is in no sense an appeal play. The umpire’s judgment must govern, and the decision should be made immediately.

The batter is out

Under Rule 5.09(a)(5), a batter is out when an infield fly is declared.

The out comes from the umpire’s declaration. It is not based on whether the fielder goes on to catch the ball.

The ball stays alive — runners go at their own risk

The ball is alive. 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.

The rule book’s comment says it the short way: when an infield fly rule is called, runners may advance at their own risk.

If the ball ends up foul

If the hit becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul.

The definition gives two bounce cases for a declared infield fly that is allowed to fall untouched to the ground:

• If it bounces foul before passing first or third base, it is a foul ball.
• If it falls untouched to the ground outside the baseline, and bounces fair before passing first or third base, it is an infield fly.

A close cousin: the intentional drop — a separate rule

Letting a ball fall untouched is not the same play as dropping it on purpose. The intentional drop has its own rule, at Rule 5.09(a)(12).

Under Rule 5.09(a)(12), a batter is out when an infielder intentionally drops a fair fly ball or line drive, with first, first and second, first and third, or first, second and third base occupied before two are out. On that play, the ball is dead and the runner or runners return to their original base or bases.

An approved ruling under that rule adds: the batter is not out if the infielder permits the ball to drop untouched to the ground — except when the infield fly rule applies.

And when the two rules meet, the infield fly wins. The comment on the infield fly definition says: when an infield fly rule is called, if the infielder intentionally drops a fair ball, the ball remains in play despite the provisions of Rule 5.09(a)(12). The infield fly rule takes precedence.