ASA INFIELD FLY RULE

Question
My daughter is 10 and plays ASA Girls Fastpitch Softball. Please explain to me exactly the rule of INFIELD FLY RULE please.
     
                   Thank You,
                      Shannon

Answer
Good morning Shannon,

Sure can, this is an easy one.

An infield fly is a fair fly ball, NOT including a line drive or attempted bunt which can be caught by an infielder, pitcher or catcher with ordinary effort when first and second OR first, second and third base are occupied with less than 2 out.

There is judgement by the umpire what ordinary effort is.  The ball must be fair.  Sometimes if it's close to fair/foul the umpire will say "infield fly, the batter is out if fair" or something similar.

The intention of the rule is to protect the runners.  Even if the ball is not caught the batter is out.  One caught or the ball hits the ground runners can advance at their own risk.  An infield fly is not a dead ball.

Let me know if you need anything more.

Mark