Rule 4.16

Rule 4.16

4.16 A game shall be forfeited to the visiting team if, after it has been suspended, the order of the umpire to groundskeepers respecting preparation of the field for resumption of play are not complied with.


DISCUSSION:

08/15/1941 - Boston at Washington - AL - The game was called in the 8th inning after a 40 minute rain delay by umpire George Pipgras. The Senators were leading at the time 6-3. Boston manager Joe Cronin protested the game claiming that the field was not playable because it was not covered by canvas. On 08/27/41, AL president Will Harridge upheld the Boston protest and awarded them the victory. He said that Washington violated rules by not having a grounds crew available to cover the field. The Cleveland club then protested the Harridge decision claiming the decision was unfair to them in their pennant race with Boston.

May 1, 2005, Mets protest loss when Nationals' grounds crew is slow in covering field and game is rained out.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2051363

AMBIGUITIES:
Grammar error: The subject ("the order of the umpire") does not agree with the verb ("are not complied with"). Also, not too keen on ending the sentence with a preposition.

Rule 4.15

Rule 4.15
A game may be forfeited to the opposing team when a team—
(a) Fails to appear upon the field, or being upon the field, refuses to start play within five minutes after the umpire-in-chief has called “Play” at the appointed hour for beginning the game, unless such delayed appearance is, in the umpire-in-chief’s judgment, unavoidable;


(b) Employs tactics palpably designed to delay or shorten the game;

(c) Refuses to continue play during a game unless the game has been suspended or terminated by the umpire-in-chief;

(d) Fails to resume play, after a suspension, within one minute after the umpire-in-chief has called “Play;”

(e) After warning by the umpire, willfully and persistently violates any rules of the game;

(f) Fails to obey within a reasonable time the umpire’s order for removal of a player from the game;

(g) Fails to appear for the second game of a doubleheader within twenty minutes after the close of the first game unless the umpire-in-chief of the first game shall have extended the time of the intermission.

DISCUSSION:
Notice the discretionary language in Rule 4.15, "A game may be forfeited. . ."   Contrast this discretionary language with the mandatory language found in Rule 4.17, "A game shall be forfeited. . ."


Rule 4.15(c): Manager pulls players citing safety concerns. Game was forfeited.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TOR/TOR197709150.shtml

Rule 4.15(a): Team fails to appear at game time.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20040906&content_id=849618&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=null

Rule 4.14

Rule 4.14
The umpire-in-chief shall order the playing field lights turned on whenever in his opinion darkness makes further play in daylight hazardous.

DISCUSSION:
The umpire-in-chief is the sole judge as to when field lights are turned on. The umpire should try to call for the lights at the beginning of the top half of an inning. [PBUC]

Umpire has control over lights.
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070903&content_id=2187461&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

Rule 4.13

Rule 4.13
RULES GOVERNING DOUBLEHEADERS.
(a) (1) Only two championship games shall be played on one date. Completion of a suspended game shall not violate this rule.

(2) If two games are scheduled to be played for one admission on one date, the first game shall be the regularly scheduled game for that date.

(b) After the start of the first game of a doubleheader, that game shall be completed before the second game of the doubleheader shall begin.

(c) The second game of a doubleheader shall start twenty minutes after the first game is completed, unless a longer interval (not to exceed thirty minutes) is declared by the umpire-in-chief and announced to the opposing managers at the end of the first game. EXCEPTION: If the league president has approved a request of the home club for a longer interval between games for some special event, the umpire-in-chief shall declare such longer interval and announce it to the opposing managers. The umpire-in-chief of the first game shall be the timekeeper controlling the interval between games.

(d) The umpire shall start the second game of a doubleheader, if at all possible, and play shall continue as long as ground conditions, local time restrictions, or weather permit.

(e) When a regularly scheduled doubleheader is delayed in starting for any cause, any game that is started is the first game of the doubleheader.

(f) When a rescheduled game is part of a doubleheader the rescheduled game shall be the second game, and the first game shall be the regularly scheduled game for that date.

DISCUSSION:
By rule a doubleheader must start twenty to thirty minutes after the first game is completed. Consequently, a "day-night doubleheader" is no doubleheader at all because it is two games scheduled at different intervals on the same day.

The umpire-in-chief is the sole timekeeper and judge of whether or not the second game is to start. Neither the home team manager nor management have jurisdiction in determining start time or whether the field is playable.

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

Rule 4.11

Rule 4.11

The score of a regulation game is the total number of runs scored by each team at the moment the game ends.

(a) The game ends when the visiting team completes its half of the ninth inning if the home team is ahead.

(b) The game ends when the ninth inning is completed, if the visiting team is ahead.

(c) If the home team scores the winning run in its half of the ninth inning (or its half of an extra inning after a tie), the game ends immediately when the winning run is scored. EXCEPTION: If the last batter in a game hits a home run out of the playing field, the batter-runner and all runners on base are permitted to score, in accordance with the base-running rules, and the game ends when the batter-runner touches home plate.

APPROVED RULING: The batter hits a home run out of the playing field to win the game in the last half of the ninth or an extra inning, but is called out for passing a preceding runner. The game ends immediately when the winning run is scored, unless there are two out and the winning run has not yet reached home plate when the runner passes another, in which case the inning is over and only those runs that scored before the runner passes another shall count. 

(d) A called game ends at the moment the umpire terminates play, unless it becomes a suspended game pursuant to Rule 4.12(a).

DISCUSSION:

Rule 4.11(c): With the game tied in the bottom of the eleventh and the bases loaded, Torii Hunter hits a ball that bounces into the left field seats. Instead of a ground rule double, this is a single and one run scores. The reason is 4.11(c) which states that the game is immediately over when the winning run scores, except in the case of a game ending home run.


Rule 4.11 AR: On April 26, 1931, the Yankees' Lyn Lary was on first with two out in the first inning. Lou Gehrig hit a home run into the centerfield bleachers at Griffith Stadium. However, the ball caromed back to the centerfielder. Lary returned to the dugout, evidently thinking the ball was caught. Gehrig was declared out for passing the runner for the third out and lost the homer. Gehrig ended the year tied for the lead in homers with Babe Ruth.

On May 26, 1959, Pittsburgh Pirates' pitcher Harvey Haddix pitched one of the greatest games ever against the Milwaukee Braves. Haddix was perfect for twelve innings, but his team failed to score. In the bottom of the 13th inning, Don Hoak made a fielding error which cost Haddix a perfect game. The Braves advanced the runner to second on a sacrifice bunt. The Braves' slugger Hank Aaron was intentionally walked. Then, with one out in the thirteenth inning of a scoreless game, Joe Adcock hit the ball over the fence for an apparent home run. Aaron saw the winning run score, then trotted off the field. Consequently, Adcock was out for "passing" Aaron between second and third (for the second out) and was credited with a double. Aaron never scored (and was ostensibly out for abandonment) and the game ended 1-0. 

Hypothetically, had Adcock passed Aaron on the base path before Aaron was called out for abandonment (second out), and Aaron abandoned his attempt at running the bases before the runner had scored (third out), the run would not have counted pursuant to Rule 4.11. Aaron's out is a time play situation.

Rule 4.10

Rule 4.10

4.10
(a) A regulation game consists of nine innings, unless extended because of a tie score, or shortened (1) because the home team needs none of its half of the ninth inning or only a fraction of it, or (2) because the umpire-in-chief calls the game.

EXCEPTION: National Association leagues may adopt a rule providing that one or both games of a doubleheader shall be seven innings in length. In such games, any of these rules applying to the ninth inning shall apply to the seventh inning.

(b) If the score is tied after nine completed innings play shall continue until (1) the visiting team has scored more total runs than the home team at the end of a completed inning, or (2) the home team scores the winning run in an uncompleted inning.

(c) If a game is called, it is a regulation game:
(1) If five innings have been completed;
(2) If the home team has scored more runs in four or four and a fraction half innings than the visiting team has scored in five completed half-innings;
(3) If the home team scores one or more runs in its half of the fifth inning to tie the score.

(d) If a regulation game is called with the score tied, it shall become a suspended game. See Rule 4.12.

(e) If a game is called before it has become a regulation game, the umpire-in-chief shall declare it “No Game.”

(f) A League President may determine whether rain checks will be honored for any regulation or suspended game that has progressed to or beyond a point of play described in 4.10(c).

Rule 4.10 Comment: The Major Leagues have determined that Rules 4.10(c) and 4.10(e) do 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.

DISCUSSION:
Game 5 of the 2008 World Series was suspended at the end of 5-1/2 innings with the score tied 2-2.


Game tied in the 9th inning is suspended due to weather.

Game completed  in bottom of 7^th with 2 outs and home team behind by 3

Game canceled in top of 3^rd "No game."