Few rules in baseball cause as many puzzled looks as the infield fly rule. A batter pops the ball up, the infielders wave their gloves around, an umpire points to the sky and shouts something, and the batter is out even though nobody has caught anything. If you have ever wondered what just happened, this page walks through it step by step.
The one-sentence version
When there are runners on first and second base (or first, second and third) with fewer than two outs, and the batter hits a fair pop-up that an infielder can catch with ordinary effort, the umpire declares the batter out immediately, whether or not the ball is caught.
Why the rule exists
Without it, defenses could cheat in an easy way. Imagine runners on first and second, one out and a high pop fly to the shortstop. The runners must stay near their bases in case the ball is caught. If the shortstop lets the ball drop on purpose, he can pick it up, step on third or second for a force out, and throw to first for another. The defense turns a routine pop-up into a double play, and the offense has no way to protect itself.
The infield fly rule removes that trick. By calling the batter out at once, it takes away the force on the runners and spares them from being trapped. The rule exists to prevent a deliberate drop, not to punish a clumsy fielder. For the background and history, see Wikipedia's infield fly rule article.
The conditions: all of these must be true
The rule applies only when every one of these conditions is true.
- There are fewer than two outs. With two outs the rule does not apply, because the next out ends the inning anyway.
- First and second base are occupied (runners on first and second), or the bases are loaded. With a runner only on first, or on first and third, the rule does not apply.
- The ball is a fair fly ball. It must be hit in the air and be fair, or land in fair territory.
- It is not a line drive or a bunt. A line drive is hit hard and flat. A bunt attempt that pops up does not count either.
- It can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort. This is a judgment call by the umpire. The ball does not need to be caught by an infielder, and an outfielder could end up making the catch. What matters is whether an infielder could have done so with ordinary effort.
If any one of those conditions is missing, it is just a regular fly ball.
What the umpire does
When the umpire decides that the conditions are met, they call "infield fly" and signal, often by pointing a hand or arm to the sky. In many cases they say "infield fly, if fair" as the ball goes up. The call is made while the ball is in the air, so that everybody knows what is going on.
The call is a judgment, and umpires differ in how quickly they make it. The "ordinary effort" test is not tied to a particular fielder or location. It does not matter whether the ball ends up in short outfield grass as long as an infielder in the right position could have caught it easily.
What happens to the batter
The batter is out as soon as the umpire makes the call, regardless of whether the ball is caught, dropped or lands on the ground. He does not have to run, and the defense does not have to throw to first.
What happens to the runners
The ball is still live. That means runners can advance at their own risk.
- If the ball is caught, runners must tag up and wait until the ball touches the glove before advancing, as with any caught fly ball.
- If the ball is dropped, the runners are no longer forced to advance, because the batter is already out. They may stay where they are or try to advance, and they can be tagged out if they leave the base and the defense tags them.
- If the ball lands foul without being touched, it is simply a foul ball. The umpire's call was "infield fly, if fair," so the batter is not out and stays at bat, and the runners return to their bases.
The point is that the runners cannot be forced out at the next base after the batter has been called out. They can still be tagged if they try to move.
Worked examples
Example 1: classic case. Runners on first and second, one out. The batter hits a high pop fly to short left field that the shortstop can reach easily. The umpire calls infield fly. The batter is out. The shortstop lets the ball drop. The runners are not forced and stay put. Result: two outs, runners still on first and second.
Example 2: runner on first only. One out, runner on first, high pop-up to the second baseman. The rule does not apply, because first and second are not both occupied. If the second baseman drops the ball, the runner is forced and can be put out at second, and the batter might be put out at first. This is a normal play.
Example 3: two outs. Bases loaded, two outs, a pop fly to the pitcher. The rule does not apply. If the pitcher drops it, the defense can still try a force play. If they catch it, the inning ends.
Example 4: line drive. Runners on first and second, nobody out, a hard line drive caught by the third baseman. The rule does not apply, because a line drive is not an infield fly. The runners are in danger of being doubled off by a catch, which is a separate situation.
Common misconceptions
- "It only applies to balls caught by infielders." No. The ball only has to be catchable by an infielder with ordinary effort.
- "The ball must be dropped for it to count." No. The call is made on the batted ball, before the catch.
- "The runners must stay on the base." No. They may advance at their own risk, but must tag up if the ball is caught.
- "It applies when there are two outs." No. It only applies with fewer than two outs.
- "A bunt can be an infield fly." No. Bunts are excluded from the rule.
- "Only professional leagues have the rule." The rule applies in most organized baseball and softball rulebooks. Youth leagues may differ, so check your league's rules.
Why is it such a famous rule?
The rule has been part of baseball since the late 19th century, and it is a favorite example of how a simple rule can solve a tricky strategic problem. Fans and commentators sometimes debate individual calls, especially on balls that fall in shallow outfield grass. The wording in the rulebook is deliberately flexible so that umpires can use judgment. For the official wording as used in the major leagues, see the MLB glossary entry.
Tips for players and coaches
- Know the situation. Before each pitch, check outs and runners so you know whether the rule is live.
- Listen for the call. Infielders should keep their eyes on the ball, and runners should listen for "infield fly."
- Runners: do not take off for the next base unless you are sure of the situation. If the ball is caught, you must tag up. If it is dropped, you may stay put.
- Defense: if the call is made, the batter is out, so do not waste effort making a play at first. Focus on any runners who leave their bases.
- Younger players: learn the rule slowly. In many youth leagues, a coach will explain the rule or officials may call it rarely. Practice with a coach and review the situation in practice.
Related rules to learn next
If you are learning the sport, these rules often follow the infield fly rule in difficulty: the force play versus the tag play, tagging up, the balk and the dropped third strike. Our guide to baseball positions can help you picture where each player stands when these rules come up.
Sources
For play in your own league, always follow the rulebook your league uses, because local rules can differ.
FAQ
What is the infield fly rule in baseball?
When there are runners on first and second (or the bases are loaded) with fewer than two outs, a fair pop-up that an infielder can catch with ordinary effort makes the batter out automatically, whether or not the ball is caught.
Why does the infield fly rule exist?
It prevents a defense from deliberately dropping a pop-up to get a force out or double play while the runners are stuck near their bases.
Can runners advance on an infield fly?
Yes, at their own risk. If the ball is caught they must tag up. If it is dropped they are not forced, but they can be tagged out.
Does the infield fly rule apply with two outs?
No. It only applies with fewer than two outs.
Does a line drive count as an infield fly?
No. Line drives and bunts are excluded from the rule.