Whats the difference in rules between infield and an outfield fly?

Why is there a difference?

-- Joel (yojoel@yahoo.com), June 18, 1999

Answers

This is how it was explained to me, some leagues don't follow this rule though. Basically, an outfield fly is fair game. The infield fly rule is to benefit the team at bat. Say there is an infield fly to the shortstop with runners on 1st and 2nd. So the shortstop catches it, gives a quick snap to the 2nd baseman and the 2nd baseman turns it to 1st. Ta-dah, the fielding team just had a "triple" play. I've actually only seen this happen in baseball because runners are allowed a lead off, but maybe there are softball teams that are allowed to also. Anyways, with an outfield fly, that "triple" play isn't likely at all and as long as the baserunners know the infield fly rule, they'll know to get back to the base no matter what so the play isn't turned when an infield fly occurs.

-- Brandi (brandi82@alltel.net), June 30, 1999.