The Infield Fly Rule Explained

Did you see the Phillies - Rays game (Game 5). IT had to be suspended due to the wind and rain. It was so bad, that the infield umpires did not call the infield fly rule on a routine infield fly.

Well it wasn't routine. In fact Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies missed a easy pop fly earlier in the game. The umpire waived the infield fly rule because, in his determination, catching an infield fly ball was nothing but routine. I found it quite interesting.

Learn more about the infield fly rule and other interesting baseball situations. Even learn how to score the game.


The infield fly rule is a situational play that is ruled on by the umpire when the following conditions are met:

• There must be less than 2 outs in the inning
• There must be a force play at third base or homeplate
• There must be a popfly to anywhere in the infield. It must be in fair territory.

When all three conditions are met the umpire rules an "Infield Fly" or "Infield Fly Rule" Umpire.

Infield Fly Rule: Some Rules

• The batter is declared out and the runners cannot advance.
• The ball does not have to be caught by an infielder.
• The runner can run after the catch
• If the fielder drops the pop fly, it is still an out and the runners cannot advance
• Runners must tag up (retouch the base) before advancing. Failure to do so could result in a putout on an appeal play by the opponents.
• If the player drops the infield fly there is no need to tag up.

Infileld Fly Rule: Other Important Facts

This rule was added because fielders were intentionally dropping fly balls and getting double and sometimes triple plays.

Just to make sure you understand and there are no misconcepts ...

An infield fly rule CANNOT occur with only a runner on first base. The rule is for popflys in the infield only. No bunts! No Line Drives!

The player who catches the infield fly gets credited with a Putout. If the ball is not caught, credit a putout to the fielder closest to the ball.No error is charged to a player who drops a ball when the Infield Fly Rule is in effect. However, an error could occur after the Infield Fly Rule is in effect. It is in effect until the ball is caught or the ball is dropped.

8 Reasons To Keep Score in Baseball

Baseball is such as great game because the fans can participate by keeping score of the game. Scoring a baseball game isn't hard to do, it just takes good instruction and a little knowledge of the game. Here are 8 reasons why you should learn how to score a baseball game?

1. Get intimate with the Game
there is nothing like the nostalgia of baseball. You've got peanuts, cracker jacks, hot dogs, "Take me out the ballgame" and the baseball scorecard. Scoring the game of baseball gives you a feeling of being part of the game.

2. Following Your Favorite Team and Player
What a better way to follow your idol and your favorite baseball team than to record the events of the game in a baseball scoresheet. You'll become an expert on baseball statistics and the stats of your personal favorite ballplayers.

3. An Analytical Tool
If you are a youth baseball coach, you can use the baseball scorecard to gain a competitive edge on your opponents. The baseball scorebook contains a wealth of information that can be analyzed and used in specific game situations.

4. Get to Know Baseball Lingo and Terminology
Learn the weird and wonderful a baseball scoring terminology like Defensive Indifference, Obstruction and Suicide Squeeze. Educate yourself on baseball terminology and be "in the know" when the situations occur.

5. Performance Appraisal
If you are a youth baseball coach or just want to track the performance of your favorite players, the baseball scorebook is your source for your players' statistics.
6. Keep The Romance and Nostalgia of Baseball ALIVE
Hand down the magic and romance of baseball to your kids. They will remember it forever!

7. Baseball is our national pasttime
Baseball is America's game and it's great to get involved with discussions about it with other knowledgeable fans. Keeping score in baseball makes you more informed and more intimate with our national pasttime - Baseball.

8. It's Family Fun
Keeping score in baseball can be a family affair. Spread the knowledge and share the magic of a baseball game.

Learn more about the game of baseball!

Tampa Bay Rays - The Beast In The East

The Tampa Bay Rays are showing everyone exactly how good they are. The young talent of this team is amazing. The manager is doing an awesome job of leading these bright young stars to the World Series. He continues to show confidence in every one of his players.

The Rays are tearing up the Red Sox in this year's ALCS, making them look like a minor league club. Even my brother, the biggest Red Sox around, has conceded that the Rays are the best team in baseball. He hasn't given up on his Sox but it's obvious he knows the Red Sox can't compete.

It looks like the Red Sox time is up, just like the Yankees time was up after 2000. I look forward to watching the Rays playing at the highest level possible. I mean they hit homers, play outstanding defense, have 4 quality starters, finally have a reliable bullpen, don't make the mental mistakes, steal bases, have egos and basically intimidate all the teams in major league baseball. And finally, they are having fun, and that is something that I love to see - that tells the whole story.

Many of the Rays stars have been "farm raised", and they are so young - bad news for the American League teams, especially the Yanks and Sox.

Look out America - the Rays may become the next Evil Empire (not with money but with talent). My hat goes off to the Rays!

Now it's time for a new stadium!

If you want to show your youth baseball players what baseball is all about, just have them watch a Tampa Bay Rays' baseball game, the best team in baseball.