An Empirical Analysis of the Infield Fly Rule

4 Journal of Law (3 J. Legal Metrics) 127 (2014)

Florida International University Legal Studies Research Paper No. 14-15

43 Pages Posted: 10 Aug 2014

See all articles by Howard Wasserman

Howard Wasserman

Florida International University (FIU) - College of Law

Multiple version iconThere are 3 versions of this paper

Date Written: August 8, 2014

Abstract

This paper conducts the first empirical analysis of baseball's famous Infield Fly Rule, exploring whether the rule’s legal and policy justifications are statistically supported. Based on a review of every fly ball caught by an infielder in the relevant game situation in Major League Baseball from 2010-2013, this paper measures the frequency and location of Infield Fly calls and the effect the rule has on individual games, all to determine whether the feared cost-benefit disparities that motivate the rule would, in fact, result absent the rule. Ultimately, the merits of the Infield Fly Rule cannot be measured empirically, at least not without resort to some ex ante value judgments; the normative conclusion one draws about these data depends on where one starts -- a supporter of the rule and a skeptic both will find confirmation in the information gathered in this paper. Nevertheless, the numbers shed specific and interesting light on the realities of baseball’s most unique and famous (or infamous) play.

Keywords: Infield Fly; baseball; empirical; sports

Suggested Citation

Wasserman, Howard, An Empirical Analysis of the Infield Fly Rule (August 8, 2014). 4 Journal of Law (3 J. Legal Metrics) 127 (2014), Florida International University Legal Studies Research Paper No. 14-15, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2477952

Howard Wasserman (Contact Author)

Florida International University (FIU) - College of Law ( email )

University Park, DB 2065
Miami, FL 33199
United States
305-348-7482 (Phone)

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