Post away!

In last night's Braves game there was a man on 1st and 2nd. The batter hit an infield fly. The first baseman dropped the ball. The man on 1st started for 2nd. They threw to 1st and called both the batter and the man on 1st out for a double play.

I thought the infield fly rule prevented that from happening, and just the the batter would be out.

[quote]Originally posted by candlerman:
In last night's Braves game there was a man on 1st and 2nd. The batter hit an infield fly. The first baseman dropped the ball. The man on 1st started for 2nd. They threw to 1st and called both the batter and the man on 1st out for a double play.

I thought the infield fly rule prevented that from happening, and just the the batter would be out.

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The batter is, indeed, out--the instant the umpire calls Infield Fly. The ball remains live, however, and if a runner ventures off a base, he can be tagged out. Call it runner stupidity.

I believe you got your situation a bit mixed up, because R1 from first, if he tries to go to second, cannot be declared out if first base was tagged and the ball was not caught. Because the force was removed the instant the batter was declared out on the Infield Fly, R1 would have to be tagged on his way to second.

The Infield Fly rule does protect the runners from double plays, but in the following manner: Runners on first and second, for example, when the defense lets a pop fly fall to the ground untouched. They pick it up, fire to second, then fire to first for a cheap double play. Well, with the Infield Fly rule, when the ball reaches its peak and is ruled an Infield Fly, the batter is out, so this cheap double play cannot occur.

A double play in a different manner can occur, however, if the offense is too stupid to be aware of the situation.

[quote]Originally posted by Ump25:


The batter is, indeed, out--the instant the umpire calls Infield Fly. The ball remains live, however, and if a runner ventures off a base, he can be tagged out. Call it runner stupidity.

I believe you got your situation a bit mixed up, because R1 from first, if he tries to go to second, cannot be declared out if first base was tagged and the ball was not caught. Because the force was removed the instant the batter was declared out on the Infield Fly, R1 would have to be tagged on his way to second.

The Infield Fly rule does protect the runners from double plays, but in the following manner: Runners on first and second, for example, when the defense lets a pop fly fall to the ground untouched. They pick it up, fire to second, then fire to first for a cheap double play. Well, with the Infield Fly rule, when the ball reaches its peak and is ruled an Infield Fly, the batter is out, so this cheap double play cannot occur.

A double play in a different manner can occur, however, if the offense is too stupid to be aware of the situation.

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[quote]Originally posted by candlerman:
[QB][/QB]

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I'm guessing it was p[layer stupidity at 1st base. The runner there should have stayed put!

Fortunately, the Braves won anyway!!

It was Team Atlanta night -- lots of fun!

Yep, a good time was had way up in Section Q.

Yea, I watched it. Actually, it was almost a triple play! Suprised at Javy purposely breaking his bat in disgust with his hit. I hope he does better tonight.

This is a pretty basic thing, but I'll be damned if I can call or see it. So could you please explain as simple as possible how to spot a balk.

[quote]Originally posted by Woody:
This is a pretty basic thing, but I'll be damned if I can call or see it. So could you please explain as simple as possible how to spot a balk.

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To be honest with you, I can't really explain "as simple as possible" what is a balk, mainly because there are so many ways a pitcher can balk. It's not a one or two item topic. There are numerous ways a pitcher can balk while in contact with the rubber, there are some ways in which he can balk while off the rubber.

There are just too many examples and explanations upon which to elaborate here.

My question is regarding the "ground rules."

Are there a set of written "rules" somewhere regarding each ballpark and the ruling if, say, a ball hits a hanging speaker or gets lost in the ivy? And when a new ballpark opens, does someone (and who is this someone) have to create new "rules" for it? And do the umpires and team managers get copies of this?

Thanks again for your insight Ump!

[quote]Originally posted by canmark:
My question is regarding the "ground rules."

Are there a set of written "rules" somewhere regarding each ballpark and the ruling if, say, a ball hits a hanging speaker or gets lost in the ivy? And when a new ballpark opens, does someone (and who is this someone) have to create new "rules" for it? And do the umpires and team managers get copies of this?

Thanks again for your insight Ump!

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Canmark, the home team management is responsible for establishing ground rules consistent with the official playing rules. In the pregame conference, if there is a conflict, the crew chief will make sure the playing rules are not superseded and that any problems are resolved on the spot. If a problem cannot be resolved, the crew chief has the final say on what will be official and accepted.

The various ground rules are available for the public to view. Click MLB GROUND RULES to read through them all.

Ump25, thanks for the link to the Ground Rules. I'm going to print that out.