Bernier Burned by Baserunning on Pseudo Infield Fly

At face value, an infield fly no-call during the Twins-Angels game Wednesday proved costly for Minnesota as a no outs, runners on first and second situation transformed into a two outs, runner on third situation after a weak pop fly, legal untouched drop and an ensuing 1-3-6-3 double play.

Runners hold as the ball falls untouched.

With none out in the top of the 9th inning, the Angels held a 1-0 lead while Minnesota threatened with R2 Clete Thomas (BB) and R1 Doug Bernier (HBP). With B1 Justin Morneau at the plate, Angels pitcher Ernesto Frieri fired a 1-0 fastball and induced a shallow pop up near the mound. Replays indicate Frieri allowed the ball to fall untouched, fielding it on the first bounce, and fired to first baseman Mark Trumbo to retire B1 Morneau. At this point, R1 Bernier was stuck between first and second base and, after an abbreviated run down, he was tagged out by Trumbo, R2 Thomas advancing to third on the play.

Oddly enough, had R1 Bernier held his position on first base throughout the play, he would have been safe.

Gardy discusses the play with Muchlinski.

Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire briefly argued the play with HP Umpire Mike Muchlinski. After a wayward fan ran onto the field before being tackled by ballpark security behind first base, Freiri struck out Chris Herrmann to end the game.

After the game, crew chief Ted Barrett told a pool reporter, regarding the pivotal double play: "That one definitely had enough arc, but the fielder has to get comfortably underneath the ball to catch it. That's the criteria that wasn't met."

Gardenhire rebuffed with: "There was a reason he wasn't camped underneath it. He was going to let it fall."

Nonetheless, Barrett alluded to the three considerations for an infield fly (since broken out into 1+3).
(1) Indicator: The rule applies only to situations in which first and second are occupied with less than two out.
** The bases may or may not be loaded, only so far as first and second are occupied at time-of-pitch (TOP) **

[Plus] (1) The batter must hit a fair fly ball, which is not a line drive or bunt (OBR 2.00 [FLY BALL]);
(2) That, in the umpire's judgment can be caught by an infielder (pitcher & catcher = infielders for this rule);
(3) With ordinary effort (skill exhibited compared to league average [OBR 2.00 [ORDINARY EFFORT]).

As color coded above, Barrett's statement indicates consideration #3 (in red) was not satisfied.

This is hardly the first time ordinary effort has caused confusion amongst teams and fans. As the 2012 NL Wild Card Game's infield fly call proved, the "comfortably underneath" principle, also cited as "camped" in some... camps... seems to garner the most misconception amongst those not on the third team.

Wrap: Minnesota Twins vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 7/24/13
Video: Frieri fields the bounce, leading to a double play after rookie Bernier takes off for second (LAA)