Rule 4.12

Rule 4.12
SUSPENDED GAMES.

(a) A game shall become a suspended game that must be completed at a future date if the game is terminated for any of the following reasons:

(1) A curfew imposed by law;

(2) A time limit permissible under league rules;

(3) Light failure or malfunction of a mechanical field device under control of the home club. (Mechanical field device shall include automatic tarpaulin or water removal equipment);

(4) Darkness, when a law prevents the lights from being turned on;

(5) Weather, if a regulation game is called while an inning is in progress and before the inning is completed, and the visiting team has scored one or more runs to take the lead, and the home team has not retaken the lead; or

(6) It is a regulation game that is called with the score tied. 

National Association Leagues may also adopt the following rules for suspended games. (If adopted by a National Association League, Rule 4.10(e) would not apply to their games.):

(7) The game has not become a regulation game (4½ innings with the home team ahead, or 5 innings with the visiting club ahead or tied).

(8) If a game is suspended before it becomes a regulation game, and is continued prior to another regularly scheduled game, the regularly scheduled game shall be seven innings in length. See the exception described in Rule 4.10(a).

(9) If a game is suspended after it is a regulation game, and is continued prior to another regularly scheduled game, the regularly scheduled game shall be a nine inning game.

EXCEPTION: Optional Rules 4.12(a)(7), 4.12(a)(8) and 4.12(a)(9) for National Association Leagues shall not apply to the last scheduled game between the two teams during the championship season. A National Association League may adopt any of Rules 4.12(a)(7), 4.12(a)(8) and 4.12(a)(9) for its post-season games.

No game called because of a curfew (Rule 4.12(a)(1)), weather (Rule 4.12(a)(5)), a time limit (Rule 4.12(a)(2)) or with a tied score (Rule 4.12(a)(6)) shall be a suspended game unless it has progressed far enough to have been a regulation game pursuant to Rule 4.10(c). A game called pursuant to Rules 4.12(a)(3) or 4.12(a)(4) shall be a suspended game at any time after it starts.

NOTE: Weather and similar conditions—Rules 4.12(a)(1) through 4.12(a)(5)— shall take precedence in determining whether a called game shall be a suspended game. If a game is halted by weather, and subsequent light failure or an intervening curfew or time limit prevents its resumption, the game shall not be a suspended game. If a game is halted by light failure, and weather or field conditions prevent its resumption, the game shall not be a suspended game. A game can only be considered a suspended game if stopped for any of the six reasons specified in Rule 4.12(a).

Rule 4.12(a) Comment: The Major Leagues have determined that Rule 4.12(a) does not apply to any Division Series, League Championship Series or World Series games or for any additional Major League championship season game played to break a tie. 

(b) A suspended game shall be resumed and completed as follows:

(1) Immediately preceding the next scheduled single game between the two clubs on the same grounds; or

(2) Immediately preceding the next scheduled doubleheader between the two clubs on the same grounds, if no single game remains on the schedule; or

(3) If suspended on the last scheduled date between the two clubs in that city, transferred and played on the grounds of the opposing club, if possible;

(i) Immediately preceding the next scheduled single game, or

(ii) Immediately preceding the next scheduled doubleheader, if no single game remains on the schedule.

(4) Any suspended game not completed prior to the last scheduled game between the two teams during the championship season shall become a called game. If such game becomes a called game and 

(i) has progressed far enough to become a regulation game, and one team is ahead, the team that is ahead shall be declared the winner;

(ii) has progressed far enough to become a regulation game, and the score is tied, the game shall be declared a “tie game.” A tie game is to be replayed in its entirety, unless the league president determines that playing the rescheduled game is not necessary to affect the league championship; or

(iii) has not progressed far enough to become a regulation game, the game shall be declared “No Game.” In such case, the game is to be replayed in its entirety, unless the league president determines that playing the rescheduled game is not necessary to affect the league championship.

Rule 4.12(b) Comment: The Major Leagues have determined that Rule 4.12(b) does not apply to any Division Series, League Championship Series or World Series games or for any additional Major League championship season game played to break a tie.

(c) A suspended game shall be resumed at the exact point of suspension of the original game. The completion of a suspended game is a continuation of the original game. The lineup and batting order of both teams shall be exactly the same as the lineup and batting order at the moment of suspension, subject to the rules governing substitution. Any player may be replaced by a player who had not been in the game prior to the suspension. No player removed before the suspension may be returned to the lineup. A player who was not with the club when the game was suspended may be used as a substitute, even if he has taken the place of a player no longer with the club who would not have been eligible because he had been removed from the lineup before the game was suspended.

Rule 4.12(c) Comment: If immediately prior to the call of a suspended game, a substitute pitcher has been announced but has not retired the side or pitched until the batter becomes a base runner, such pitcher, when the suspended game is later resumed may, but is not required to start the resumed portion of the game. However, if he does not start he will be considered as having been substituted for and may not be used in that game.

DISCUSSION:
A game called on account of light failure, a mechanical device failure under the control of the home team, or because of darkness must be a suspended game. Games called on account of curfew, time limit, weather, or when the score is tied will only be suspended if the game has progressed far enough to become a regulation game.

Rule 4.12(a)(3): If light failure occurs while the ball is in flight or a play is in progress, and the umpires are not able to follow the play because of the light failure, umpires are directed to immediately call "Time" and nullify the play if further play is possible. [PBUC]

Game delayed for 16 minutes due to light failure.


Rule 4.12(a)(4): In the video below, a 1986 game between the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates was suspended on account of darkness. In 1988 lights were installed at Chicago's Wrigley Field. Play was suspended in the 13th inning with the score tied.


Rule 4.12(a)(5): On August 13, 1978, the Orioles led the the Yankees 3-0 after six innings. The Yankees scored five in the top of the seventh to take a 5-3 lead. The Orioles came to bat, and it started raining. The rain got heavier. The rule at that time was if the home team does not complete an inning because of rain, the score reverts back to the previous inning. If the game was called before the Orioles completed their at bat, the score would revert back to 3-0 and the Orioles would win.

It is a matter of dispute, but some believe that Orioles Manager Earl Weaver stalled so the Orioles would not finish their time at bat. The Baltimore Memorial Stadium grounds crew was less than swift in getting the field covered. The game was called by the umpires after 36 minutes of rain saying that the field was unplayable. Under the current Rule 4.12(a)(5), the game would be suspended.

On May 1, 2007, the Pirates led the Cubs 5-3. In the top of the seventh, the Cubs scored four runs to take the lead. Rain stopped the game before the Pirates could complete an at-bat. The game was suspended and completed the next day.
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/content/printer_friendly/mlb/y2007/m05/d01/c1940379.jsp