Baseball Instruction/infield pop fly

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Expert: - 7/1/2011


Question
There was a infield pop fly(little league) the pitcher was the closest and tried to catch the infield pop fly but he drop it while attempting to catch the baseball... now my question Mr.Hoover is that the umpire still called the batter who hit the pop fly as an "OUT" even though the ball wasn't caught by the pitcher (the count was 3 balls 2 strikes) This didn't make any sense to me to call an "out" when the baseball wasn't caught in someones glove. Is there an automatic "out" if there is an in field pop up in little league baseball?  Nathan

Answer
Nathan,

If there are runners on first and second, or first, second and third with less than two outs, and a pop fly is hit in the infield and an infielder can catch it with reasonable effort, then it is an out.  This is called an 'Infield Fly'.  This rule was created to protect the offense, as back before the rule infielders would drop the ball on purpose and easily double up runners.

So yes, the out can be called regardless if the ball is caught in this situation.

I hope this has helped.

-Martin Hoover

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Martin Hoover

Expertise

Questions regarding the Rules and Regulations of Little League Baseball and Softball. Questions regarding the history and organization of Little League Baseball at local, state, regional, and international levels. Advise regarding certain operational procedures and recommendations to Local League representatives.

Experience

Volunteer Little League Umpire since 2000; 2003 Little League, Junior League, Senior League and Big League Softball European Regional Umpire; 2005 Little League Softball Western Regional Umpire; Member- Hesperia National(Hesperia, CA) Little League Board of Directors(2003-2004); President- Hesperia National Little League Board of Directors(2005-Present); 2007 Junior Softball Western Regional Umpire

Organizations
Little League Baseball, Inc is the main operational center. I fall under Little League Western Region, and California District 49. I currently serve as President of the Hesperia National Little League Board of Directors.

Education/Credentials
Western Regional Junior Umpire School(2000)(Named Outstanding Junior Umpire of the Western Region Area); Instructor - Little League Baseball Western Regional Outreach Clinics

Awards and Honors
Outstanding Junior Umpire of the Western Regional Area(2000)

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