Another RBI etiquette question

[OctoFranco]

About a week ago, Kips and I were playing when a very rare opportunity arose.

No outs runner on first.  Batter hits a pop-up that's heading right near the first base bag.  Kips brings the runner on first back to the bag, so that when the batter approaches first, he is stuck motionless a couple steps away from the bag.  The pitcher is over to field as the ball is coming down right beside first.  I don't know what got into me, but decided to let the ball drop, then picked it up, stepped to first for the force, and ran down the baserunner for the tag out, completing the double play.

We were both drunk and Kips literally had to pause for about five seconds staring at the screen, trying to process what had just happened.  We then briefly discussed whether or not this was a bush league play.

What sayeth dee-nee?

Note:  this puhl is ONLY open to players who use the infield fly rule, I already know what you unscrupulous monkeys who don't play with it think.

[TempoGL]

that play is bush league.  in effect, you are ignoring the infield fly rule.

[BeefMaster]

I agree with Strassy.  If RBI actually had the infield fly rule, when the ball dropped, the runner wouldn't have automatically taken off from first (since he wasn't forced, as the batter was already out), so your tag out wouldn't have happened.  I'd say you should've only gotten the batter out.

[ultimate7]

Either way is OK as long as the rules are known in advance

[OctoFranco]

Either way is OK as long as the rules are known in advance

So why didn't you vote "perhaps"?

Strassy and Beef: there is only one runner on base -- what does the infield fly rule have to do with it?  The batter is not automatically out in such a situation, is he?  Hell, if the same thing happens (runner at first, nobody out) and a high pop goes out toward second base, it's common practice to let the ball drop and get the force out at second if the guy who hit the ball is a slower runner than the guy who was on first.  I'm pretty sure you could get away with that in real life if you really wanted to, although I admit I've never seen it.

In retrospect, it may well have been cheap of me to let it drop like that.  But the only thing that really makes me think twice about the merits of this play is its extreme rarity.  This is the first time I can remember having such an opportunity where the ball landed that close to 1st in that situation.  Once in a lifetime, no regrets...

[ultimate7]

Yes, in MLB you could legally let the ball drop and get the DP, which is why I'd have no problem with it.

[TempoGL]

it appears that i had a poor recollection of that rule.  i still say that it's bush league.

[BeefMaster]

Either way is OK as long as the rules are known in advance

So why didn't you vote "perhaps"?

Strassy and Beef: there is only one runner on base -- what does the infield fly rule have to do with it?  The batter is not automatically out in such a situation, is he?  Hell, if the same thing happens (runner at first, nobody out) and a high pop goes out toward second base, it's common practice to let the ball drop and get the force out at second if the guy who hit the ball is a slower runner than the guy who was on first.  I'm pretty sure you could get away with that in real life if you really wanted to, although I admit I've never seen it.

Crap, I forgot that there was only a runner on first, and I agree that dropping a popup to get out the lead running is common practice and definitely allowed.  That being the case, you are indeed within your rights to do what you did.  You can disavow one of the "Yes" votes.

[Reds]

I say it's ok....only because it was an unassisted double play....

otherwise 

totally bush league

[fknmclane]

Bush league...laughable

[JoeDirt]

Perfectly acceptable...whether there was a guy on 1st only or men on 2nd/3rd.  Again, I say keep all subjectiveness out of the game...it is "Anything Goes," right?

[BeeJay]

When I play ICE HOCKEY, I don't allow my men past the blue line until the puck has entered the zone.  After all, that's how the rules are in real hockey, so I have to follow them.

[BDawk]

You play to win the game!!!

[Shooty]

Bush league...laughable

I would agree.  Since in real life, the runner would not have stopped five feet before first waiting to see if the ball was caught or not.

[JoeDirt]

RBI isn't real life?

[TommyD (MrOJ)]

It's not bush league, it's "cheesing"... which is just using a games AI and glitches to your advantage...

[BDawk]

It's not bush league, it's "cheesing"... which is just using a games AI and glitches to your advantage...

go away

[Reds]

I think the problem with the "anything goes" idea is that some people dont realize it actually anything goes, when it comes to pitching, rather than regarding all game play.

[JoeDirt]

I think the problem with the "anything goes" idea is that some people dont realize it actually anything goes, when it comes to pitching, rather than regarding all game play.

Maybe in Indiana...but I don't think you can say that for everybody.

[Reds]

I'm completely amazed at the disregarding of the infield fly...I find it repulsive....and I wont further engage in this discussion....