INFIELDER INTENTIONALLY DROPS FLY BALL OR LINE DRIVE

Rule 5.09(a)(12):

Under Official Baseball Rule 5.09(a)(12), the batter is out, the ball is dead, and runner(s) return to their original base(s) when an infielder intentionally drops a fair fly ball or line drive with runners on first, first and second, first and third, or bases loaded (with less than two out).

Note that the batter is not declared out in this situation if the infielder permits the ball to drop untouched to the ground except when the Infield Fly rule applies.

When an infielder deliberately drops a fair ball or a line drive to set up a double play situation, runners may safely return to the bases they occupied at the time of the pitch. The same application shall be made if an outfielder has come so close to the infield to set up a double play situation if he intentionally drops the ball.

Runners cannot advance under this rule. Umpires shall immediately call “Time,” when, in their judgment, the ball is intentionally dropped.