Infield Fly Rule

How does the infield fly rule work?

The infield fly rule takes place when a fair fly (not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt) can be caught in the infield perimeter (by an infielder or an outfielder), with ordinary effort and provided the hit is made before two are out and at a time when runners are on first and second base or the bases are loaded. The batter is automatically out and the base runners may advance at their own risk.

Short summary:  runners on first and second or bases loaded and a routine fly ball is hit to the infield area.  The hitter is automatically out and the base runners advance at their own risk.

What is the infield fly rule and why do they have it?

As stated above, the infield fly is only applicable with runners on first and second or bases loaded and a routine fly ball is hit to the infield area.  The hitter is automatically out and the base runners advance at their own risk.

The reason why baseball has the infield fly rule is to keep the offense out of the easy double play.  

Think about this.  What if there was no infield fly rule.  With a runner on first and second or bases loaded and the hitter hits a routine fly ball to the shortstop.  As with any fly ball the base runners would stay on the base.  The shortstop can misplay or drop the ball on purpose causing the base runners to run.  Now the shortstop picks up the ball and throws accordingly for a force and possibly a double or triple play.

Now with the infield fly rule, the base runners are not forced to run on a misplayed or dropped fly ball in the infield.  The batter is out with the infield fly rule and the base runners can advance at their own risk.  Thus, eliminating a possible double or triple play.

What happens if you drop an infield fly rule?

If you drop an infield fly rule the batter is automatically out and the base runners can advance at their risk.  Note, when the base runners advance there is no force.  The base runner must be tagged.

Why is there no infield fly rule with runner on first?

With a runner on first the defense does not gain an advantage.  You see, if there is a runner on first the base runner will stay on or near the base on a fly ball to the infield.  If the ball is caught, the batter is out and the base runner on first stays.

Using the same situation with a base runner on first base only, if there is a fly ball hit to  the infield and the ball is dropped.  The base runner on first will stay close to the bag because of the fly ball and will be thrown out at second on the force while the batter will be safe at first (if he hustles down the line).

Offensive Situations during the Infield Fly Rule:

Situation #1: If there are runners on first and second and less than two outs and an infield fly is hit and the infielder drops the fly, do the base runners have to run?

No! The base runners may run at their own risk on an infield fly. The batter is automatically out.

Situation #2: If there are bases loaded and less than two outs and an infield fly is hit and the infielder drops the fly, do the base runners have to run?

No! The base runners may run at their own risk on an infield fly. The batter is automatically out.

Situation #3: If there are runners on first and second and two outs and an infield fly is hit and the infielder drops the fly, do the base runners have to run?

Yes! Remember - with two outs the offense is running on anything hit.

Situation #4: If the bases are loaded with two outs and an infield fly is hit and the infielder drops the fly, do the base runners have to run?

Yes! Remember with two outs the offense is running on anything hit.

Defensive Situation for the Infield Fly Rule

Situation #1: If you are on defense and an infield fly rule comes into effect, can you drop the ball on purpose and draw the base runners off the base for an easy out?

Yes! But make darn sure the infield fly rule is in effect.

Situation #2:  If the base runners advance on their own risk - is the play at the base they are running to a tag out or a force out?

Tag out!  This is a mistake most teams make but since the force out was made on the "infield fly" the next play made has to be a tag.

Reflection

As you sit back and reflect on the many games your team played last past season, how well did the team do in the "special situations"? Hopefully, this article will reinforce the need to teach such situations at least once a week. This way your team will be better prepared and will not lose a game on a "SPECIAL SITUATION".

In Conclusion

I hope these rule interpretations, situations, and guides on the Infield Fly Rule help you understand the rule better and be able to prepare your team.

About the Author

KretzFiles.com was founded by Coach Ron Kretz, an experienced and successful high school baseball coach in Texas with over 30 years coaching and 19 as a head baseball coach.    

Using the resources available on this site, Coach Kretz took over Rio Hondo High School that had averaged less than 4 wins a year and in his first year went 10-10 and the next three years won 20+ using these progression of drills.  

At Harlingen, he revived a program that finished last the year before.  In his first year won District and won 20+ the next 2 years. 

At both stops he claimed numerous Coach of the Year Awards, published in Texas Coach as well as national Baseball Digest, he has also talked at local clinics.

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