Infield fly rule....

[W1GUH]

From wiki:

Since the purpose is to prevent double plays, the rule applies only when there are fewer than two outs, and there is a force play at third base (i.e., there are runners at first and second base, or the bases are loaded).

This would appear to say that it would be perfectly legal for a fielder to purposely drop a fly ball with a runner at first, and then throw out the lead runner at second, thus benefiting the team in the field? Presumably, the batter has run to first, so there'd be no double play.

[KG4CGC]

WTH is the Infidel Fly Rule?

[NQ6U]

WTH is the Infidel Fly Rule?

When there are infidels on first and second with less than two outs, it's not allowed to purposely cause the bomb to misfire on the first try in order to blow up both infidels with one bomb.

[KG4CGC]

When there are infidels on first and second with less than two outs, it's not allowed to purposely cause the bomb to misfire on the first try in order to blow up both infidels with one bomb.

OH! The shish kebob 2 birds on a fire rule.

[W1GUH]

It's a lifelong perv label for messing with an Infidel's fly.

[KG4CGC]

It's a lifelong perv label for messing with an Infidel's fly.

They're still doing it wrong though. Can't even get an underwear bomb to work right without only causing injury to impressionable teenagers.

[W3WN]

From wiki:

Since the purpose is to prevent double plays, the rule applies only when there are fewer than two outs, and there is a force play at third base (i.e., there are runners at first and second base, or the bases are loaded).

This would appear to say that it would be perfectly legal for a fielder to purposely drop a fly ball with a runner at first, and then throw out the lead runner at second, thus benefiting the team in the field? Presumably, the batter has run to first, so there'd be no double play.

Actually, my understanding of the more arcane of baseball rules is that the purpose of the infield fly rule is to PREVENT the team in the field from doing just that.

[W1GUH]

Actually, my understanding of the more arcane of baseball rules is that the purpose of the infield fly rule is to PREVENT the team in the field from doing just that.

That's what I always thought. But 1) I'm watching the Tigers-White Sox game and there was a sky-high popup fair ball with a runner on first and no infield fly rule was called. And 2), both wiki and another site said it's only called with runners on 1st and 2nd (or bases loaded -- force at 3rd). The thinking being, on a pop-up the runners can't run, so you could double-up at 3rd and 2nd. But that leaves the case I'm asking about.

If this gets too confusing, we can always discuss what a balk is!

[W3WN]

That's what I always thought. But 1) I'm watching the Tigers-White Sox game and there was a sky-high popup fair ball with a runner on first and no infield fly rule was called. And 2), both wiki and another site said it's only called with runners on 1st and 2nd (or bases loaded -- force at 3rd). The thinking being, on a pop-up the runners can't run, so you could double-up at 3rd and 2nd. But that leaves the case I'm asking about.

If this gets too confusing, we can always discuss what a balk is!

A balk? Easy. That's when the pitcher deliberately makes a move that the umpire feels is to unfairly fool the runner(s) on base... such as starting to throw to home, stopping, and then trying to pick a runner off. In other words, once you start, you have to follow through. It's not called when there are no runners on base, as there are no baserunners to fool.

The concept of the infield fly rule is actually simple. When there are runners on base, they are supposed to hold if there's a pop-up or fly ball; they can't leave the base they're standing on until the ball is caught (or dropped or missed in error), only then can they tag up (if they so choose) and try to advance. Now, if there are runners on base, and less than 2 outs... because if there are 2 outs, you only have to catch the ball to end the inning... an infielder could deliberately miss or drop the ball, which forces the runners to try and advance as it's a "live" ball. However, because they have had to hold, they won't get very far before the infielder then picks up the ball and throws at least one out.

So when the infield fly rule is called, the umpires are telling the infielders in effect that the pop-up or fly ball is already ruled an out, and therefore the runners aren't going to be allowed to advance anyway (so no chance for a throw to any base), so just catch the damned ball and be done with it.

That's the simplest explanation I can think of, and no, I'm not covering every possible permutation. That's simply the most common example.

That all being said, I can't help you with the infidel fly rule. For one thing, I think the infidels wear button up jeans, when they're not wearing robes.

[K7SGJ]

<snip>
If this gets too confusing, we can always discuss what a balk is!

Yeah, loved him in Colombo.