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The infield fly rule goes into effect when the batter hits a pop fly with less than two outs, and there are runners on first and second base or the bases are loaded. Once an infield fly is called by the umpire, the batter is automatically out. The runners can try to advance, but only after tagging up. Why the infield fly? With runners on base, an infielder could let a pop fly drop and make a really easy double play. For instance, with a runner on first (tagged up since it's a pop fly), a shortstop could let the ball drop, and then throw to second for a double play. That's downright unsportsmanlike, and that's why the rule was enacted
in 1895. Still, it's a judgment call by the umpire. It's up to him to determine if the ball could be caught with "ordinary effort" by an infielder. Some umps make an audible call, some point, and some just assume that the players realize that the infield fly rule is in effect. For more on the ins and outs of baseball, feel free to consult Yahoo! Sports. The official site of Major League Baseball also features a lengthy section devoted to rules.
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