The Infield Fly Rule, Explained Simply

When it applies

All four have to be true:

1. Fewer than two outs.
2. Runners on first and second, or the bases loaded.
3. A fair fly ball (a pop-up) that an infielder can catch with ordinary effort. The pitcher and catcher count as infielders, and so does an outfielder playing in the infield.
4. It isn’t a line drive or a bunt (high school says an attempted bunt).

The umpire calls it, by pointing up and saying “Infield fly, the batter’s out.” Near a foul line it’s “Infield fly, if fair”: the rule only applies if the ball ends up fair.

What happens

• The batter is out, whether the ball is caught or not.
• Runners are no longer forced to advance, because the batter is out.
• The ball stays live. If it’s caught, runners have to tag up, as on any caught fly. If it drops, they may run, but they can be tagged out.

Why the rule exists

Picture runners on first and second with one out and a lazy pop-up to the shortstop. The runners have to stay near their bases in case it’s caught. Without the rule, the shortstop could let it drop on purpose, and now both runners are forced: throw to third, throw to second, double play. The infield fly rule takes that trick away by making the batter out at once.

That’s also why it needs two forced runners and fewer than two outs. With a runner only on first, letting the ball drop just swaps a slow runner for a faster batter. With two outs, the inning ends on the catch anyway.

Common misunderstandings

• “The ball has to be caught.” No: the batter is out either way.
• “Runners can’t move.” They can, at their own risk, the same as on any fly ball.
• “It has to be in the infield.” No, it’s about whether an infielder can catch it with ordinary effort. A pop-up to shallow left field that the shortstop is camped under can be an infield fly.

Youth leagues

Little League uses the infield fly rule in the Major Division and above. It isn’t used in Minors or Tee Ball.