Rule 4.19

Rule 4.19 
PROTESTING GAMES. Each league shall adopt rules governing procedure for protesting a game, when a manager claims that an umpire’s decision is in violation of these rules. No protest shall ever be permitted on judgment decisions by the umpire. In all protested games, the decision of the League President shall be final.

Even if it is held that the protested decision violated the rules, no replay of the game will be ordered unless in the opinion of the League President the violation adversely affected the protesting team’s chances of winning the game.

Rule 4.19 Comment: Whenever a manager protests a game because of alleged misapplication of the rules the protest will not be recognized unless the umpires are notified at the time the play under protest occurs and before the next pitch, play or attempted play. A protest arising on a game-ending play may be filed until 12 noon the following day with the league office.

DISCUSSION:
Protests are only available for a violation or misapplication of rules, not for disagreement with an umpire's decision.

Winning the game moots the protest.

After a protest is made, umpires are to confer to ensure the ruling is correct. [PBUCUM]

The protest must be lodged before the next pitch or attempted play. A protest on a game-ending play must be made within 12 hours after the end of the game. [BRD]

The umpire will inform the public address announcer the reason for the protest, so it may be announced. [MLBUM]


In the following video the Dodgers send Sweeney to hit for Ozuna in the 8^th, and then decide to use Kent when the Cardinals change pitchers.  Home plate umpire Chris Guccione informs Dodger manager Joe Torre that Sweeney is not yet in the game, meanwhile Sweeney takes his position in the batter’s box.  Consequently crew chief Tim Welke correctly rules that Sweeney is the batter.  The Dodgers protest the game.

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=3267480

Box score: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/y2009/index.jsp?gid=2008_08_06_lanmlb_slnmlb_1#boxscore

Article: http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080807&content_id=3267564&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la