CPBL Infield Fly Call - Umpire Demoted After Long Argument

The Chinese Professional Baseball League demoted an umpire following an infield fly ruling that led to an extended argument. Article: www.closecallsports.com/2020/...
The call, which occurred during a game between Fubon and Rakuten, resulted in a 10-minute delay to the game in Taiwan's professional baseball league.
In this video, we discuss the infield fly rule, its three criteria for determining when to invoke it (first/second occupied with less than two outs, fair fly ball which is not a line drive nor bunt, can be caught by an infielder employing ordinary effort), and game management for a situation wherein the crew has decided on a call and, right or wrong, the aggrieved manager or coach refuses to accept the crew's decision.
Also, umpires shouldn't warn managers who make intentional physical contact with them during an argument. Official Baseball Rule 6.04(a)(4) regarding unsportsmanlike conduct is clear: this isn't a warning, it's an ejection.

[@Mike300Smith]

Kudos for finding the play-by-play in English.

[@dougthegreat1808]

That is NOT an infield fly. Even for those professionals! Ordinary effort NO.

[@dougthegreat1808]

@Johnny Sins looking at your picture HOLMES the same could be said of you! BTW when the better part of you was dripping down your mother's leg, I already had worked 1000 games.

[@Subangelis]

Nor had he stationed himself.

[@mptr1783]

@@Subangelis the problem is the umpire is looking at the fielder, not the ball(not saying he should be looking at the ball)........too much judgement involved with many of these IFF plays.......just eliminate the rule IMO----it would make for so much more fun. And those who say its unfair to the offense because the defense can drop the ball and MAYBE get a double play I say good, double plays are great for the game

[@whoknows4138]

The Star Trek reference was great

[@bkembley]

Love the Star Trek reference!!!

[@zacharystanphill748]

The face of HP Umpire when he makes the call lol

[@russellcurtis2501]

I think you hit it there at the end. The manager wanted to get tossed. No other explanation for why he stayed out there so long.

[@brettlawton9513]

There's just no possible way that this specific play should ever be called an infield fly... ESPECIALLY not after the entire crew gets together to discuss it!

[@mikegallagher9201]

The IFF should be called early enough and loudly enough for the runners to react properly.

[@camberweller]

This! A lot of these become problems because the absence of the call means that the players naturally respond as if there is no call, and then, suddenly, the umps are acting as if the players should have known and responded back when the umps SHOULD have been made rather than when it WAS made.

[@theburnetts]

Your video is confusing because the slow motion section where you are trying to show that the umpires returned is actually running BACKWARDS.

[@MaydayAggro]

The calling umpire was demoted? They all should have been. Sometimes an umpire who is "too close" gets it wrong. The plate umpire should have corrected this. He should have seen the entire play. And any of those umpires could have ejected the coach. Demote them all.

[@Subangelis]

Hell, the 1st base umpire should have corrected it, he mirrored the call.

[@mptr1783]

Not sure youre allowed to change this call(much like an umpire calling a fair ball foul........I may be wrong

[@mrarthurpjones3753]

You siting ds9 made my week.

[@KWally]

@@davej3781 it's actually quite amazing how many rules were reorganized, yet somehow still had the same numbers as a reference, just in different orders.

[@mwhite9298]

Live long and prosper! 🖖

[@Subangelis]

@STRONGEST NATTY IN THE WORLD. This is going to be the SECOND time I'm reporting your exact racist comment.

[@darinlegore284]

This part of world has a very polite culture to your elders, but after about a minute the manager had to be ejected. All explanations have been given or should be put in umpire game report. It was NOT an INFIELD FLY!

[@StellarWishGaming2002]

But this was the CPBL, so, China, not Japan.

[@spicyboi-zb3mf]

@@StellarWishGaming2002 taiwan

[@StellarWishGaming2002]

@@spicyboi-zb3mf so why is it called cpbl then

[@spicyboi-zb3mf]

@@StellarWishGaming2002 taiwan is officially the Republic of China

[@andrewmcnicoll4268]

I think something I've yet to hear in your videos that is of high importance: the INTENTION of the infield fly rule. The intention of the infield fly rule is to disallow the infielder from allowing the ball to drop and turning a double play on the LEAD runners when they normally would not have been able to do so had they not froze while the ball was in the air (i.e. a grounder). The best example I had was an in-between line drive/pop-up (lead runners froze) where the infielder accidentally dropped it while running inward to catch the ball. They were unable to recover after it bounced away and all runners advanced to get the bases loaded. The defensive coach said the batter should be out (runners on 2 and 3 with 2 outs) because the ball was a popup to an infielder. I would've agreed had the fielder been camped or intentionally dropped it and turned a double play on the lead runners when they would not have had the ball been a simple grounder (I let it play out because it happened too fast to rule it with the ball in the air; I'd rather make a delay call in that instance).

[@Subangelis]

He dropped it while running inward. That is not "ordinary effort" nor had the player "stationed himself in the infield" for the rule to take place.

[@HipsterDoofus100]

“Ahhh! Infrield Fry!”

[@robertjonez5]

So an infield fly doesn't even have to happen in the infield?

[@KWally]

Nah, just a fly ball judged to have been easily caught by an infielder. With the baserunner and out criteria as well.

[@leeshackelford7517]

My team used to have a super speedy shortstop who had no faith in the ability of our center fielder.....(I was 12 years younger than him).. High fly ball could find the shortstop way way way out there....making the play. (It took me running through him to make the play, to finally make him stop it)

[@dperl5640]

Ever notice the Star Trek ump actually reverses the numbers of the real rule? Says 4.06 not 6.04. Just a funny little note. Wonder if they did that on purpose or he accidentally screwed it up. My guess is the latter?

[@herestoyoudoc]

In fact the Trek episode (from 1998) was correct; the rules were renumbered in 2016. See this link from MLB, which shows the new number (6.04) annotated with the old number (4.06). mlb.mlb.com/mlb/downloads/y2016/official_baseball_rules.pdf

[@dperl5640]

@@herestoyoudoc Awesome info! Was very curious about it! Thanks for the reply!

[@patrickmcgraw4646]

I think the second baseman was trying to deke the runner, but he deked the umpire instead. Either way, it's on the verge of being a line drive. What do you think?

[@mptr1783]

linedrive? no..........humpack.........yes

[@AEMoreira81]

Isn’t the infield fly supposed to be called while the ball is in the air?

[@mptr1783]

ideally yes, but it actually can be called after a play is over

[@timothychow177]

Why couldn't the team with red uniform just inquiry?

[@ronpeacock9939]

You're taught that if the player is not camped.. don't call it... the fielder was running the entire time.. clearly poor judgement... then when they got together, either the other guys didn't see it (as they had other responsiblities) or they decided to stay with the poor call to not throw the young guy under the bus... in effect, pulling themselves under the bus. All 4 should be demoted.. you would not get away w/o an ejection with youth leagues on this one.. say nothing of Pro leagues... The Braves game.. I watched that live.. the SS for a moment was camped.. correct call.. he then moved to abandon.. irrelevant to the rule.. he could have with ordinary effort.. he pulled off due ot the LF'er calling it..

[@oneblankspace4919]

... or the LF ump calling it

[@ronpeacock9939]

@@oneblankspace4919 If any umpire sees it... call it.. all that it requires is that an infielder with ordinary effort CAN catch it... in the Cards game... the SS got under the ball and w/ ordinary effort could make the catch.. that's all that needed... not relevant that the LF called him off and then blew the play. The problem is... most don't realize that being called off DOES NOT CHANGE if the rule applies...On this play... the IF'ers NEVER were able to get into a position where it would be ordinary effort... that was very poor judgement by that umpire that made the call...

[@bobh6728]

Where does the rule say they have to be “camped”? If that was the criteria, the fielder would never camp and get the double or triple play that the rule is trying to avoid.

[@ronpeacock9939]

@@bobh6728 Lawyers are not welcome... so stop playing with word like one... and it's not explicitly stated as the word "Camped".. but it's covered in the umpire casebooks on how to rule for Infield fly.. They basically read.. if the fielder is in position to make the catch.. call it.. if they are not.. you don't.. Camped is the word we use to refer to that..

[@jacobkopp942]

I went to pro school with that kid. Still my Facebook pal. Gonna have to ask him what all went down.

[@TheHitKing4256]

The call was absolutely incorrect however it was made and it’s over. Manager should have been thrown from the ball game immediately once he fought off the initial stop signs and attempts by the other umpires. The manager later pushing or bumping into the umpire that made the call should be a suspension of at least five ball games.

[@stevedandy973]

Once the discussion is over, it's over, LEAVE and RESUME THE GAME. "Beating a dead horse" serves no purpose.⚾️

[@robinday2137]

Why does the infield fly rule exist?

[@jeffkelly4093]

Back in the early days before the rule, 1895, the infielders would intentionally drop pop ups to try and get double plays and faster runners out. Basically in place to protect runners who are on base from being out out by infielders intentionally dropping pop ups

[@andrecanis4894]

@@jeffkelly4093 And that's why I still strongly disagree with the opinion that there's no time limit on when to call the infield fly. How is "You can call it when the ball hits the ground" (at 2:28) supposed to protect runners from being doubled up? Even worse, as a runner I go half way, see that the ball is going to be dropped and no infield fly has been called yet, of course I'm going to run towards the next base. Then the infield fly is suddenly called *after* the ball has dropped and I am now going to be out? By calling it so late the umpire has made the situation *worse* than if the rule didn't exist at all. How is that in the spirit of the rule?

[@jeffkelly4093]

@@andrecanis4894 In umpiring school they teach you to call it as soon as you believe it is an infield fly. I personally try to call it by the time it reaches the apex of flight, but sometimes the wind and other factors play a part in delaying the call.

[@jeffkelly4093]

@@andrecanis4894 Actually if an infield fly is called, you no longer have to tag up unless caught, so if the ball wasn't caught, you could either advance or return to the previous base and would have to be tagged out. Also there is a rule that umpires cannot put runners or batters at risk of being put out because of incorrectly calling a play.

[@andrecanis4894]

@@jeffkelly4093 Right, I forgot about that part of the rule, thank you.

[@christacartwright9083]

I always love the star trek clip

[@johnleonard6878]

The umpires look very pro like but there is some lack in training. I know MLB umpires go to Japan to work w/ there umpires but if your doing pro baseball you need to attend pro umpire school fiirst.

[@VisibilityFoggy]

This is Taiwan, not NPB. I wonder if this is more of a cultural difference than anything else. American umpires are pretty quick with the ejections, but people might handle things differently elsewhere. Having never been to Taiwan, I don't know personally, but just a theory.

[@douglassepic9030]

That's a looping line drive

[@poisonpotato1]

So defense get rewarded for showing no effort because they should've had effort. What a stupid rule this infield fly rule is

[@dunerat17]

“Physical abuse” lmao. Stop hiding the guy he wants to talk to and get the fuck out of his way. A little bump is the saddest thing to get worked up about.

[@bosoxdanc1]

Demoted, though? Jesus.

[@VisibilityFoggy]

If MLB didn't have such a comically strong umpires' union, I assume we'd have American umps being demoted or released as well. We put up with questionable officiating because we don't want to deal with the endless litigation that would result from getting rid of someone. Or, for that matter, a baseless accusation of racism by the umpire in question.

[@brendankane5734]

When you showed the infield fly rule in St. Louis vs Atlanta game, you forgot to mention it wasn’t in the infield

[@JosephJamesScott]

Doesn't need to be in the infield. The play just needs to be made by an infielder with ordinary effort.

[@christiancoletta5976]

@@JosephJamesScott while that's true- wonder if rules need to be looked at in light of the extreme shifts in today's game? for example, what do you with a fly ball to right that should be the RF's, but can be caught with "ordinary effort" by a crazy-deep 2B.. is that still an infield fly? or shouldn't that be an opportunity for a sac fly? (i know this would be a rare hypothetical but hey- it's baseball so its bound to happen haha!)

[@JosephJamesScott]

@@christiancoletta5976 The thing is the level of athleticism varies so much that it's hard to just set an arbitrary range. Some players have tremendous range because of their speed and this rule is in place to protect the offense. If you're batting against a guy that can get into the outfield and has an arm like a cannon, I don't think in a lot of situations you want that guy deciding if he's going to catch it or make an attempt at two. The other thing is, infield fly, the ball is still alive, you can still try for the sack fly, it's just the batter is out regardless of if it's caught or not. You just don't need to worry about the force anymore.

[@JosephJamesScott]

@Black Bear It has to be playable by in infielder with ordinary effort and while it's possible for an outfielder to run in and make catches, it's the ability of the infielder that determines if it's an infield fly. Nothing about my statement was incorrect.

[@JosephJamesScott]

@Black Bear I didn't say it needed to be caught by an infielder, I said it needed to be play needs to be made by an infielder with ordinary effort. If an infielder can't make the play with ordinary effort than it can't be an infield fly. You could have an infielder camped at the edge of the grass and have an outfielder run in and catch the ball, but the fact that the play could have been made by the infielder with ordinary effort is the determining factor

[@TheDjcarter1966]

And this is why after about a minute or so you say coach it's a judgement call...we are done OK. I walk away if the coach comes back at me I let them know not another word go back to the dugout or watch from the parking lot your choice.

[@herestoyoudoc]

I mean sure the IFR call was totally bad (but not uniquely bad) but this is game-management epic fail. I have to wonder if the umps had gotten to the point that they were worried that formally ejecting the manager would just prolong the episode even further, because now the manager would need to get "his money's worth" 🤣 Definitely a 💩show after about 30 seconds into the dispute, though, no questions here.

[@mptr1783]

or, possible etiquette in Japan(I assume this is where this game was played) is unlike what we allow here

[@kokopfarm]

Odo got the citation wrong...........poor guy.

[@GaIeforce]

Before the rulebook was re-organized, the rule was 4.06(a)(4), so Odo had it right at the time.

[@kokopfarm]

@@GaIeforce It's kind of ironic that the rulebook was reorganized and the very same numbers were used, but in a different order. Either way, the verbal recitation should match the graphic on the screen.

[@davidswift7776]

Yikes China pro baseball!… it’s a wonder umpire wasn’t jailed !

[@nintendonerdsvideos4727]

According to Sam Holebrook, an infield fly rule is in the outfield

[@Cardcollector-pz8hg]

According to then rule book, an infield fly can occur anywhere in fair territory

[@kenconnelly773]

By rule, Sam Holbrook was not wrong. However common sense does tell us that an infield fly call a couple hundred feet from the plate is not within the spirit of the rule.

[@Cardcollector-pz8hg]

Ken Connelly why not? The spirit of the rule is to keep an infielder from dropping the ball to turn an easy double play. Being into the grass doesn’t negate that spirit

[@kenconnelly773]

Cardcollector2014 yes, the spirit of the rule is to stop manufactured double plays in that fashion. I’m not arguing that the cutoff is the line between the sand and the grass. Rather a fly ball that drops 225 feet from the plate is not a double play ball, that’s too deep to turn one if the baserunners are paying attention, regardless of whether one intentionally drops the ball. That’s why it’s not in the spirit of the rule, the fly is too deep to be a reasonable double play ball, even if the infielder should have caught it.

[@joelanzo4397]

Well if a player CAN"T "touch or bump" an umpire than the same should apply to umpires putting their hands on a player or coach!! If they got the call right to begin with then crap like this wouldn't happen!!

[@brettlawton9513]

@Joe Lanzo OK, it's hard to tell if you're joking or being serious, here?? If you aren't totally joking then you've gotten super lucky and landed in the perfect place to learn all things umpire 💯‼️

[@scottholder4776]

Lol you're pretty ignorant. Check out videos where the umpires are 100 percent correct and the players or managers lose their minds resulting in getting ejected. Dummy.

[@RaleyCreativeTravel]

No social distancing for sure.

[@jackconnolly2665]

LOL. Not even close

[@anthonysiani126]

Maybe you shouldn't hire little league umpires anymore

[@L0ren20]

👍

[@mikeloosemore6301]

Yeah wrong call no doubt

[@300hiker]

Aand ah now we hava da bases woaded situation!