Learn About the Infield Fly Rule in Baseball

What Is the Infield Fly Rule?

The infield fly rule is a specific regulation in baseball designed to prevent defensive players from gaining an unfair advantage by exploiting the natural behavior of batted balls. In simple terms, the rule states that a fair fly ball (or line drive) that can be caught with ordinary effort in the infield is automatically called an out, even if the ball is not actually caught. This rule applies regardless of whether the ball is caught or lands untouched on the field.

Baseball introduced this rule to maintain fairness in the game. Without it, infielders could intentionally let easy pop-ups drop to the ground, then pick them up and make a double play, even though the batter hit what would normally be considered an easy out. The rule prevents this manipulation of the game's natural flow and protects baserunners who would otherwise be trapped.

The infield fly rule has been part of baseball for over a century. The major leagues formalized it in 1894, though various versions existed in amateur and professional play before that. The rule underwent significant changes in 2013 when Major League Baseball (MLB) made it stricter to address inconsistent calling and player frustration.

Understanding this rule matters for anyone who watches or plays baseball, from casual fans to serious players. Umpires must make split-second decisions about whether a ball qualifies as an infield fly, and these calls can change the outcome of games. The rule creates interesting strategic situations where a pop-up in the infield becomes automatically dead rather than a live ball.

Practical Takeaway: The infield fly rule exists to prevent infielders from purposely letting easy pop-ups drop in order to make double plays. Remember that the ball is automatically called out under this rule, even if no one catches it.

When Does the Infield Fly Rule Apply?

The infield fly rule only comes into effect under very specific circumstances. First, there must be fewer than two outs. The rule does not apply when there are two outs, since a potential double play is impossible in that situation. This timing requirement is crucial—umpires and players need to understand that the rule only matters early in a batter's at-bat, not later.

Second, there must be a runner on first base. Additionally, there must be a runner on second base or the bases must be loaded (runners on first, second, and third). The rule protects baserunners from being trapped by a cheap double play. If there is no runner on second base and no other runners are on base except a first-base runner, the infield fly rule does not apply. This specific requirement explains why the rule is sometimes called the "runners in scoring position" rule—it protects runners who would be most vulnerable to a double play.

Third, the batter must hit a fair fly ball, line drive, or bunted ball that can be caught with ordinary effort by an infielder. The phrase "ordinary effort" is intentional and flexible. It means a typical infielder playing in their usual position should be able to reach the ball without making an extraordinary play. A ball that goes deep in the outfield would not qualify, even if technically an infielder could sprint back and catch it.

The rule includes bunted balls as well as fly balls. If a batter bunts with fewer than two outs and runners on first and second (or bases loaded), the bunt can be called an infield fly if it appears it will land in the infield or can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort. Bunts near the baseline that are difficult to field may not be called infield flies, giving bunting a different character in these situations.

Practical Takeaway: Remember the three main conditions: fewer than two outs, runner on second (or loaded bases), and a fair fly ball or bunt catchable with ordinary effort. All three must be true for the infield fly rule to apply.

How Umpires Determine Infield Fly Status

Umpires face a challenging job when determining whether a ball qualifies as an infield fly. The primary standard is the "ordinary effort" test. An umpire watches the trajectory of the ball and mentally assesses whether an infielder playing in their typical defensive position could reach and catch it without making an unusual play. This assessment happens in real time, often in less than a second after the ball is hit.

The location where the ball is hit matters significantly. A pop-up directly over the infield is almost certainly an infield fly. A ball that drifts toward the outfield grass or beyond the baseline may not qualify because an outfielder might be needed to catch it. The umpire must predict the ball's path—where it will land if untouched—and whether an infielder could reasonably intercept it before it lands.

Umpires also consider the condition of the field and weather. Wind can affect how a ball moves, potentially carrying a pop-up toward the outfield when it might otherwise stay in the infield. Rain, fog, or sun conditions might affect visibility and whether a fielder could make a catch. The umpire takes these environmental factors into account when making their judgment call.

Once the umpire determines a ball is an infield fly, they will typically signal with a pointing gesture and call "infield fly" (or sometimes "infield fly batter" to be clear). If the umpire is uncertain initially, they may wait until the ball's trajectory becomes clearer before making the call. The umpire can change their call before the ball is touched if the trajectory changes dramatically—for example, if a strong gust of wind suddenly carries the ball well into fair territory beyond the infield.

The 2013 MLB rule change added an important element: the umpire can use judgment about whether the batter deliberately tried to create an infield fly situation. If a batter appears to be trying to exploit the rule by hitting a pop-up on purpose to draw a favorable call, the umpire might handle the call differently. This subjective element gives umpires more flexibility but also creates more opportunities for disagreement.

Practical Takeaway: Umpires make infield fly calls based on whether an infielder could catch the ball with ordinary effort. The call happens in real time and depends on the ball's trajectory, location, and field conditions. It is not a perfect science, and close calls can be controversial.

Famous Infield Fly Rule Controversies

One of the most infamous infield fly calls occurred during the 2012 National League Wild Card Game between the Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals. In the eighth inning with the score tied and runners on first and second with one out, Braves batter Yadier Molina popped up a ball near shallow left field. The umpire called it an infield fly, which seemed questionable because the ball was in shallow outfield territory and might have required an infielder to drift back to catch it. The call gave the Cardinals an out instead of a chance at a double play, and replays suggested the ball may not have met the "ordinary effort" standard. The controversial call became infamous among baseball fans and led to renewed scrutiny of how the rule was being applied.

This 2012 incident prompted Major League Baseball to make significant changes to the rule for the 2013 season. MLB wanted to clarify that the rule should only apply when the ball is clearly over the infield or in the infield dirt. The league also emphasized that line drives are generally harder to call as infield flies because they travel quickly and may be more difficult for infielders to handle than pop-ups.

Another notable example involved a pop-up hit by a Red Sox batter in 2014. The ball drifted into foul territory before being called an infield fly. Fans and analysts debated whether a ball in foul territory should qualify as an infield fly situation. The rule technically applies to fair fly balls, so foul territory added another layer of complexity to how the rule should be interpreted.

These controversies highlight why the infield fly rule remains one of baseball's most debated regulations. Different people interpret "ordinary effort" and ball location differently. An umpire making a judgment call in real time may see a play differently than fans watching a replay multiple times. The rule is also unique in baseball because it calls a batter out without requiring a fielder to catch or touch the ball, which feels unnatural to some fans who have grown up with baseball traditions.

Professional baseball players, coaches, and managers have varying opinions