The rule is that once an infield fly is called, the batter is out... no matter what (do not advance to first, do not pass go, do not collect $200). The fielder doesn't have to even catch the ball (and I expect that if it was an infield fly rule call... the catch is yet another "formality"). Now, if the fielder chooses not to catch the ball (or something flukey happens, and he trips or something), and the ball drops... then the runners can choose to advance... at their own discretion. Its fair because the runners don't have to advance if a fielder commits an error on a seemingly easy fly ball... because if the rule isn't in place, the runners do have to advance, and the fielder (depending on where the ball ended up) could still potentially get a "cheap" double play. And... on cue... infield fly rule called!
Hmmm...that does seem strange that they'd reward the team that committs an error (however unlikely an error like that would be) by automatically making the batter out. That's the kind of the opposite of the strikeout rule cause the may batter may be out (doesn't get a hit) but can still reach 1st safely. Ah well.
See that's where I thought the runners would be awarded the next base, and the batter awarded 1st, since by that time he would have reached 1st. Just doesn't quite make sense that the batter would be out whether they catch it or not (despite the infield fly call).
Seems everytime Luke Scott gets a leadoff double he's left stranded. I guess cause he's toward the bottom of the order.
If it is truly an "error"... how can the runners on base anticipate that? They have to hold up and assume that the fielder is going to make the can of corn catch (if the rule isn't in place) If the fielder does screw up at the last second, and the ball pops out of his mit or something (ie - truly an error), there's still little chance that the ball goes far enough away for the runners to advance like you're envisioning). Sure, its true that anything could happen... and the error could be something ridiculous like the ball bounces off the fielders glove, and goes 50 feet into the stands, and the runners advance (but the batter is out)... but that is a highly unlikely scenario. In the end, the rule benefits the base-runners just as much as it benefits the other team... the call is only made on balls that appear to be catchable 95-99% of the time... and the rule still gives the base-runners a chance to advance if the unthinkable happens.
I didn't like the look of that last series of AB's after the leadoff double. That's a must-execute situation in a scoreless game... every time (at least get the runner over to third). If Everett isn't a good bunter, put Roy in there to get the job done... the bottom line is that somebody had to get Scott over (even if he ended up being stranded at 3rd anyways).
