Define Intentionally Dropping A Ball

Question
"Here is my question: can you please define intentionally dropping the ball?...let me expand, further, if there is a runner on first, or runner on first and second, and a soft fly ball is hit and the infielder, ss,2b,3b,or 1b, let the ball drop without hitting the glove and there is no infield fly ruled called, can he make the double play?.or it would be illegal for him to make the double play since, "He" let the ball dropped "intentionally" to the ground?.. please expand on your answer...and define intentionally dropping the ball..many thanks."

Answer
Winston,

Intentionally dropping the ball is a rule the coincides with the infield fly rule. The entire idea for these two rules is to protect the runners against "unfair" play by the infielders.

Intentionally dropping the ball is anytime with runners on first, second, or the bases loaded where the fielder allows a line drive, soft pop up or high pop up to hit his body or his glove and then fall to the ground. A fielder also can not catch the ball in his glove and then allow it to "pop out" to create a double play.

A fielder is allowed to fake the catch and allow the ball to fall in front of him but it must touch the ground without making contact with the infielder. Some infielders will allow a soft line drive to short hop them, thus making it a ground ball and keeping the force plays in order.
Many times a fielder will take a glance at the batter, and if he isn't running hard or at all, they will allow the ball to drop. Pitchers do this often on bunts that are popped up in front of them.

If an umpire rules that a ball put in play was intentionally dropped. The batter is ruled out and the runners will return to their original bases.

In any case if the infield fly has already been called then the batter is out and the runners do not need to advance so there is no intentional dropping of the baseball.