An infield fly is a fair fly that is hit before there are two outs and with at least first and second bases occupied. Which of the following statements is true?

• A. Can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort.
• B. Must be over the area of the infield grass.
• C. Can be a line drive.
• D. Can be an attempted bunt.

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is the infield fly rule: when there are fewer than two outs and runners on first and second or bases loaded, a fair fly ball that can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort is an infield fly. The essential test is whether an infielder could catch the ball without extraordinary effort; if so, the batter is out automatically and runners may advance at their own risk. It doesn’t have to be over the infield grass and it isn’t about bunting. A line drive could qualify only if an infielder could catch it with ordinary effort, but the defining point is the ability to be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, which is why this statement is the best description.