Question: In high school baseball and softball, less than two outs and runners on second and first base; batter hits a high fly within infield as umpire declares “infield fly” but ball curves foul and is uncaught. Does infield fly rule remain in effect because ump called it?
Answer: Umpire will reverse call; rule is not in effect; batter is not out ordinary foul was not caught; runners return. (BB- Rule 2, Sec.19; SB- Rule 2, Sec. 30) If foul ball was caught, rule is not in effect, but ball remains live.
Question: Bases loaded; less than two outs; batter hits an infield fly which is property called by umpire. Is ball live or dead? Is fielder required to catch the ball for batter to be declared out?
Answer: When all conditions exist for rule to be in effect, ball is live, batter is out whether ball is caught or dropped. If caught, runners must tag up to properly advance; if ball is dropped or falls fair untouched, runners may advance at risk without tagging up. Runners are not forced to advance during infield fly rule play. (BB- Rule 2-19; rule 8-4-1 (c); rule 8-4-2(j); SB- Rule 2-30; rule 8-2-9).