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Apparently the NFL replacement refs found new jobs as MLB umpires. I just wonder when MLB implemented the new "outfield fly" rule. I guess as long as a ball doesn't reach the warning track it's considered in the "infield."
An INFIELD FLY is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive nor an attempted
bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or
first, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out. The pitcher, catcher and any
outfielder who stations himself in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for
the purpose of this rule. When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an Infield Fly, the umpire shall
immediately declare “Infield Fly†for the benefit of the runners. If the ball is near the
baselines, the umpire shall declare “Infield Fly, if Fair.â€
The two bolded criteria were both met. Kozma was an infielder, playing a his normal position, and as soon as it seemed apparent that Kozma was camped under the ball in a position to make the catch with ordinary effort, the call was made by the umpire.
The call was correct, it was a slam dunk, and there is no basis to dispute it. Next time you see the replay, look at where Kozma's feet are before he pulls off the ball, and then look at where the ball hits the ground. Note also that the umpire his arm up calling the IFR while Kozma is still camped under the ball.
That's what I think of that. The ump didn't call the "infield" fly rule until the ball almost hit the ground! I was at the game I don't care how you try to justify this! That was a hose job! Not even the NFL replacement refs could have effed that up anymore. It also says in the rules that it is an "ordinary effort," tell me how a SS running 50 feet into the outfield counts as "ordinary" and regardless of what you interpret the rule to say he should have called it sooner. It's a judgement call and the Ump displayed really poor judgement.
My problem with the whole infield fly rule is how long he waited to call it.
Typically, when an infield fly is called it is called quickly after the ball is struck. When the ball is near its apex.
In this instance he had to wait until the ball was well on its way down to the ground.
Why did he have to wait so long? That's when the infielder finally got into position to make the play.
Why did it take the infielder so long to make the play?
Because infielders don't usually make plays in left field.
It wasn't ordinary effort.
The ump had to wait to see if the infielder would get there. It couldn't be assumed that he would. It wasn't ordinary effort.
Exactly. Holbrook, the name of the replacement ref in question, didn't get around to say crap about the "infield" fly until the ball was damn near on the ground. By that point the SS had peeled off and was heading back towards the actual infield. It's good to know that any ball hit short of the warning track is considered part of the "infield" so next year perhaps the Braves can send Simmons or Uggla out to the outfield with their arms flailing around and we'll get a free out.
The bottom line is that the Braves-Cardinals game should never have been played in the first place. The Braves had already done everything necessary to earn the Wild Card, of which there is only one. The Rangers-Orioles was a legitimate tie-breaker, they finished the season with identical records.
The bottom line is that neither game should ever have been played in the first place. The Braves and Rangers had already done everything necessary to earn the Wild Card, of which there is only one.
LOL ok
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