By Daniel Paulling
Biglerville's Logan Howell argues that the in field fly rule wasn't called loudly enough by the home plate umpire during the third inning of Tuesday's game at Bermudian Springs. Howell got tagged out at second base on the play which proved to be a turing point in Tuesday's game. (THE EVENING SUN - BRETT BERWAGER)
The umpires at last week’s Biglerville/Bermudian Springs baseball game made an improper call when calling for an infield fly on a popped-up bump.
According to rule 2.00, section 19 of the NFHS baseball rulebook, the infield fly should never be called on popped-up bunts. (Special thanks to Robert G. Smith Jr., a reader from Abbottstown who emailed me to bring this mistake to my attention.)
Biglerville left fielder Jeromy Sheets popped up with runners on first and second, but Bermudian Springs pitcher Trevor Yinger dropped the ball. Canners catcher Logan Howell was caught off second base for the double play.
“That was the turning point of the game,” Biglerville coach Jeff Taylor said after the game. “We go from (first and second with no outs) to man on first with two outs. Big, big difference.”
The umpires shouldn’t feel too bad, however. The result likely would’ve been the same if they hadn’t called for the infield fly. The ball didn’t bounce far from Yinger, who had an excellent read on it. He could’ve easily picked it up and turn the 1-5-6 double play.
Another reason they shouldn’t feel bad: I asked a pair of umpires at last Friday’s York Suburban-Hanover game, and they said they would’ve called the infield fly, too.
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