The infield fly rule
WBSC · 2026–2029The infield fly rule applies to a fair fly that an infielder can catch with ordinary effort when first and second, or all bases, are occupied and there are fewer than 2 outs. It excludes line drives and attempted bunts. The umpire declares the batter out to prevent an easy deliberately manufactured multiple-out play.
The rule
The infield fly rule applies to a fair fly that an infielder can catch with ordinary effort when first and second, or all bases, are occupied and there are fewer than 2 outs. It excludes line drives and attempted bunts. The umpire declares the batter out to prevent an easy deliberately manufactured multiple-out play.
In practice
The ball remains live. Runners may advance at their own risk, but must tag up if the ball is caught. If the ball is not caught, they are no longer forced onward merely by that batter becoming a runner. Being hit high into the infield alone is insufficient: the runner positions, outs and catchability must also meet the rule.
Sources & approach ↗