Why do baseball players bother catching an infield pop up? Does the infield fly rule state that its an automatic out anyway?
In baseball, an infield fly rule is called when a catchable, pop-up fly ball is hit with runners on first and second, or the bases loaded and less than 2 outs. If it is called, the batter is automatically out, regardless of whether the fly ball is caught. This is because the rule is designed to prevent teams from intentionally dropping the ball to create a double play.
However, there are some cases when it is advantageous for a fielder to catch an infield pop up, even if the rule is in effect. For example, if the runner on second base is close to tagging up and scoring on a sacrifice fly, the fielder may want to catch the ball to prevent him from scoring. Additionally, if the batter has hit the ball with a lot of backspin, the ball may be difficult to catch, and the fielder may want to try to catch it to prevent it from dropping in for a hit.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to catch an infield pop up is up to the fielder. However, it is important to be aware of the infield fly rule and its implications before making a decision.
Related Questions
- What is the infield fly rule?
- When is the infield fly rule called?
- What are the advantages of catching an infield pop up, even if the rule is in effect?
- What are the disadvantages of catching an infield pop up, even if the rule is in effect?
- When should you not catch an infield pop up?
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