improperly declared Infield fly

From a rule standpoint there would be nothing to fix since it would be impossible to invoke the rule in the first place. The ball is live and treated just like any other fly ball and whatever happens on the play stands.

The questions would only arise if the ball was not caught. If the defense does not retire the batter at first base he will be safe (and I will have to eat it with the defensive coach).

This is from Jaska/Roder “The Rules of Professional Baseball.”

If an infield fly is improperly declared due to the lack of conditions in 3(a) above or because the batted ball was a bunt (aspects of the rule not requiring umpire judgment), the batter is not out. Both teams are required to know that the fly was not an infield fly, even though it was declared as such. The declared infield fly is nullified due to the impossibility of its existence, and the play stands.

 

A fly ball that meets all the requirements for an infield fly, but is not declared as such, is not an infield fly. Resulting action is allowed; however, the umpires should not allow a double play that the infield fly rule was intended to prevent. [NFHS 10.2.3g] [NCAA 2-48]

 

Chris Welsh:

A fly ball that meets all the requirements for an infield fly, but is not declared as such, is not an infield fly. Resulting action is allowed; however, the umpires should not allow a double play that the infield fly rule was intended to prevent. [NFHS 10.2.3g] [NCAA 2-48]

Chris, I’m not sure exactly what that last sentence is saying.
The NFHS rulebook and casebook say that even if the umpire fails to signify IFF it’s still IFF it it meets the requirements. We don’t make any adjustments to the rule just because we failed to signal.

NFHS 10.2.3(g) case book play: With R2 on second, and R1 on first and no outs, B3 hits an infield fly, but the umpire fails to call “infield fly” Is the infield fly in effect or not?  RULING: Even though the infield fly rule was not announced by the umpire, it is still in effect.  Both teams have the responsibility to know when conditions exist for an infield fly.

 

The Jaksa/Roder manual makes reference to the relevant high school rules, but does not delineate whether it is consistent or inconsistent with OBR.

On page 231 (back of book) for the Jaksa/Roder manual reads “NFHS 10.2.3g – The situation, not the declaration of the umpire, determines whether the batter-runner is out on an infield fly. Thus, if all conditions are met for an infield fly but it is not declared, the batter-runner is still out, and the play (including all other outs gained) stands.

On page 235, NCAA 2-48: The NCAA simply states that the ball is live during a declared or undeclared infield fly and the runners can advance at their own risk.

 

Thus, you’ve discovered a fine point differential.  NFHS – it is an infield fly regardless  NCAA/OBR – it is a live ball played on unless a double play is obtained by the defense for failure to call a qualified infield fly in which case, the umpires would rectify the situation.

I’m a little late on this (just a couple years).  An infield fly is really a judgement call.  Ordinary effort?  Who’s to say?  The sun, wind, mist, lights, whatever.  The umpire says it will be an extraordinary effort and does not call it.  The ball drops.  What are the runners to do…..read the umps mind?  I guess if the ball is popped up in or near the infield just shout it out without taking anything into consideration.

The infield fly rule does not apply on this play. Batter is out on the catch or has to run if the fly ball is not caught, batter runner is not automatically out all runners on base may advance at their own peril.

Situation 1: R1, no outs. Fly ball hit to deep right field, and R1 tags up and is in between second and third base when the ball is thrown. The ball goes out of play. Is R1 awarded 3B or HP?

Situation 2: R1 and R3, 1 out. Fly ball, R3 legally tags, and scores. R1 leaves early and is called out on appeal, but after R3 crossed the plate. Does the run score?