Wednesday, January 17, 2007 Dear Mr. Mullings: Why do politicians think we're all stupid? Kristofer Bryant, Texas Um. What? Dear Mr. Mullings: How long do flags fly at half-staff after the death of a President? Rocke Lafayette, LA The proclamation signed by President Bush called for flags to fly at half-staff for "30 days following" the date of President Ford's death. President Ford died on December 27, so the last day of official mourning will be January 26. Dear Mr. Mullings: Why is it gas is cheaper than milk when we have to buy oil from the Arabs and we have a huge supply of cows right here in the US? Dave Battle Creek, MI Cows make milk AND methane gas. If we could capture the gas as efficiently as we do the milk we'd have it made in the shade. Oil wells, no matter how carefully we tend them, will not produce milk. Dear Mr. Mullings: Can you explain the infield fly rule to someone who doesn't understand baseball? David Norman, OK As the official, credentialed beat reporter covering the Washington Nationals for the mighty Alexandria (weekly) Times I know the answer to this: A fly which lands on a player in the outfield is deemed to be of no moment. If, however, a fly lands on a player in the infield (that is not the left fielder, the right fielder, nor the center fielder) then the homeplate umpire, upon request of either the shortstop or the second baseman will call "time" and shoo the fly away singing: "Shoo, fly, don't bother me" in the manner of Burl Ives. I think that's pretty close. Actually, as you all know, the infield fly rule is invoked when there are runners on first and second, or first, second and third and less than two out. From the Major League Baseball definitions page: 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. When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an Infield Fly, the umpire shall immediately declare �Infield Fly� for the benefit of the runners. If the ball is near the baselines, the umpire shall declare �Infield Fly, if Fair.� The ball is alive and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught, or retouch and advance after the ball is touched, the same as on any fly ball. If the hit becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul. If a declared Infield Fly is allowed to fall untouched to the ground, and bounces foul before passing first or third base, it is a foul ball. If a declared Infield Fly falls untouched to the ground outside the baseline, and bounces fair before passing first or third base, it is an Infield Fly. Rule 2.00 (Infield Fly) Comment: 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. When an infield fly rule is called, runners may advance at their own risk. If on an infield fly rule, the infielder intentionally drops a fair ball, the ball remains in play despite the provisions of Rule 6.05 (L). The infield fly rule takes precedence. So, the answer to your exact question is: No. I can't explain it if you don't understand baseball. Last one: Dear Mr. Mullings: Amendment X of the Constitution says, "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." Why doesn't anyone pay attention to that? Steve Ft. Washington, MD No one has since the New Deal. If the Press Corps spent as much time and attention on the 10th Amendment as they do protecting the 1st and trying to get rid of the 2nd, what a different country this would be. See you next week. Rich                                     Click here to return to the Secret Decoder Ring page Copyright © 2007 Barrington Worldwide, LLC