- Final, STL@ATL, WC: HP Umpire Jeff Kellogg: pfx (85/90 Balls, 47/50 Strikes = 132/140 = 94.2%)
- Final, BAL@TEX, WC: HP Umpire Gary Darling: pfx (88/90 Balls, 40/48 Strikes = 128/138 = 92.8%)
Plays
STL@ATL, WC: Kellogg rules batter interference on running lane violation - Rule 6.05(k)
STL@ATL, WC: Sam Holbrook rules infield fly on fly ball to left field, shortstop to catch ball - Rule 2.00
- - STL@ATL, WC: Umpires' Press Conference with Torre, Reliford, Kellogg & Holbrook
- - STL@ATL, WC: Cardinals-Braves Infield Fly Rule: Protest Denied as Umpires Get Call Right [b/r]
Rule Citation
STL@ATL Under Protest (ATL): Rule 2.00 [INFIELD FLY]: An INFIELD FLY is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out. 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.
On the infield fly rule the umpire is to rule whether the ball could ordinarily have been handled by an infielder—not by some arbitrary limitation such as the grass, or the base lines. 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.
Because the Infield Fly is a judgment call, Atlanta's protest, pursuant to Rule 4.19, may not be upheld: "No protest shall ever be permitted on judgment decisions by the umpire." However, Rule 2.00 specifies the umpire shall "immediately declare" infield fly if applicable. This portion of the call may be admissible, but because no runners were put in jeopardy by this action, this also is ultimately irrelevent. Accordingly, Atlanta's protest was denied.
