The Nationals and Pirates played a double header at PNC Park on September 7, 2024. In the top of the ninth of the first game, the Nats were winning 4-2. Jacob Young was the batter facing David Bednar. Young hit a bunt pop fly in front of the plate. Pirates first baseman Rowdy Tellez came in and intentionally dropped the ball hoping he could pick up a double play or triple play.

But the umpires called “Time” and protected the runners. Young was called out and the inning continued.

Ruleball Comments

1. Because the bases were loaded and less than two outs, it was a normal situation for the umpires to invoke the Infield Fly rule. But the IFR cannot be invoked on bunts and line drives.
2. The umpires were able to protect the runners using rule 5.09 (a) (12) that reads, “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. The ball is dead, and runner or runners shall return to their original base or bases.”
3. If Tellez, however, allowed the ball to fall to the ground untouched the ball would have remained alive and there was a chance the Bucs would have picked-up a double play or triple play.
4. I never understood why runners aren’t protected when fly ball bunts are hit in IFR situations. The purpose of the IFR is to protect runners from chicanery on the part of fielders
5. On July 13, 1995, the Mariners hosted the Blue Jays. In the top of the ninth, the Jays had Alex Gonzalez on second and Shawn Green on first with Sandy Martinez at bat and no outs. Martinez hit a bunt fly in front of the mound. M’s pitcher Jeff Nelson executed a triple play by allowing a fly ball bunt to drop to the ground untouched. Nelson fielded the ball and threw to Luis Sojo covering second base. Sojo kept the force alive by wisely tagging Gonzalez for the first out before stepping on second base, forcing  Green for the second out. He then fired to second baseman Joey Cora covering first base for the third out.

Triple Play!

If Nelson intentionally dropped the ball, the umpires would have killed the play to protect the runners. In my opinion, this play further enforces the idea that pop fly bunts should be included when the Infield Fly rule is invoked.

Whatever, it’s a trick play that maybe more teams should use. The problem is that some teams do not trust certain pitchers throwing to a base.

Nelson once told me that this play was not planned. He had no explanation why he allowed the ball to drop untouched.

The broadcaster handled the play well.

Rich Marazzi

Rules consultant/analyst:  Angels, D’backs, Dodgers, Mets, Nationals, Orioles, Padres, Phillies, Pirates, Red Sox, Rangers, Royals, Tigers, Twins, White Sox, Yankees, YES, and NBC Sports Chicago.