Expert: Andrew Senger - 10/29/2009

Question
"Here is my question: can you please define intentionally dropping the ball?...let me expand, further, if there is a runner on first, or runner on first and second, and a soft fly ball is hit and the infielder, ss,2b,3b,or 1b, let the ball drop without hitting the glove and there is no infield fly ruled called, can he make the double play?.or it would be illegal for him to make the double play since, "He" let the ball dropped "intentionally" to the ground?.. please expand on your answer...and define intentionally dropping the ball..many thanks."

Answer
Winston,

Most interpretations of the rule state that the ball must hit the glove for it to be "intentionally dropped." Remember, however, that if there are runners on first and second with less than two outs, the umpires should call an infield fly on any fly ball in the infield.