What started out as a very spirited and competitive game between two very competitive teams, was decided by a controversial decision that will likely bring Infield Fly rule to the forefront. In the bottom of the 8th inning with one out and the Braves trailing the Cardinals 6 – 3, Braves Shortstop Andrelton Simmons hit a fly ball into midfield. As a result of miscommunication between Cardinals Shortstop Pete Kozma and Matt Holliday, the ball dropped between both players giving the Braves what was seemed to be a huge opportunity to capitalize. However to this dismay of the Atlanta Braves faithful in attendance, the umpire in left field gave the signal for an infield fly, resulting in Simmons being called out. The call was met with great displeasure as Braves fans started throwing debris; thus resulting in a game delay. As a result, the Braves never seem to regain control and eventually the Cardinals were able to finish the inning as well as the game. To many this call not only ended the Braves season, but it also marked the end of Chipper Jones’ baseball career as he noted 2012 being his last season. Above all things, perhaps this game raises a question that many try to dismiss, is Major League Baseball a fixed league?

The Cardinals defeat the Braves 6-3 in NL wild-card playoff. ATL played game under protest due to controversial infield fly rule call.

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 6, 2012

MLB’s official twitter account used to say, “We don’t understand the infield fly rule, either” in its profile. But that’s now been removed

— Larry Stone (@StoneLarry) October 6, 2012

Call on infield-fly rule is supposed to be immediate, according to rulebook. This wasn’t.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 6, 2012

Just wondering for future reference: Has there ever been an infield fly rule called on the warning track?

— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) October 6, 2012

They really called that an infield fly rule! The SS went 15 steps into the outfield! Now we know where the replacement NFL Refs are

— Natlie Garcia(@purplequeen1830) October 6, 2012

#Braves President John Schuerholz: “The actions of those fans are not representative of the Atlanta Braves or Major League Baseball”

— Kevin McAlpin (@KevinMcAlpin) October 6, 2012

MLB umps/Joe Torre/Charlie Relaford holding press conference on MLB Network about controversy right now….. #Braves

— Mike Morgan (@MorganOnAir) October 6, 2012

“@keder: I have never heard of the ‘infield fly rule’ until today. I still don’t understand it. *shrug*”

— Jeff (@Oc1013) October 6, 2012

U can’t tell me that MLB isn’t #fixed!!

— Gene Taylor (@huckle309) October 6, 2012

At least the nfl acknowledged a bad call and fixed the situation. I am disgusted by the mlb. #fail

— Laura (@charliej1616) October 6, 2012