No one really understands the Infield Fly rule, but we will try and explain it as best we can. An Infield Fly is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive or an attempted bunt) that can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second and third bases are full and there are less than two outs. 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 for the benefit of the runners. The IMPORTANT part of the rule is that when the umpire declares the rule is in force, the batter is automatically called out. Even if the defensive player misses the ball or drops it the batter is still out. This is to keep the fielder from intentionally dropping the ball and thus possibly forcing a double play on the other team. The rest of the explanation that follows is just details, so you can stop reading anytime. If the ball is near the baselines, the umpire shall declare "Infield Fly if Fair." The ball is alive and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught, or retouch and advance after the ball is touched, the same as on any fly ball. If the hit becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul. If a declared Infield Fly is allowed to fall untouched to the ground, and bounces foul before passing first or third base, it is a foul ball. If a declared Infield Fly falls untouched to the ground outside the baseline, and bounces fair before passing first or third base, it is an Infield Fly. On the infield fly rule the umpire is to rule whether the ball could ordinarily have been handled by an infielder. The umpire must rule also that a ball is an Infield Fly, even if handled by an outfielder, if, in the umpire's judgment, the ball could have been as easily handled by an infielder. The infield fly is in no sense to be considered an appeal play. The umpire's judgment must govern, and the decision should be made immediately. When an infield fly rule is called, runners may advance at their own risk.