MLB Rules: Ending the Game & The Umpire

7.03a (Ending the Game) Forfeited Games 2)

A game may be forfeited to the opposing team when a team does 1 of 7 things: (2) Employs tactics palpably designed to delay or shorten the game.

7.02b (Ending the Game) Resuming a Suspended Game 1)

A suspended game shall be resumed and completed in 1 of 5 ways: (1) Immediately preceding the next scheduled single game between the two clubs on the same grounds.

7.02b (Ending the Game) Resuming a Suspended Game 2)

A suspended game shall be resumed and completed in 1 of 5 ways: (2) Immediately preceding the next scheduled double- header between the two clubs on the same grounds, if no single game remains on the schedule

7.02b (Ending the Game) Resuming a Suspended Game 5)

A suspended game shall be resumed and completed in 1 of 5 ways: (5) Any postponed game, suspended game (that has not progressed far enough to become a regulation game), or tie game that has not been rescheduled and completed prior to the last scheduled game between the two teams during the championship season must be played (or continued, in the case of a suspended or tie game) to a completed regulation game, if the League President determines that not playing such game might affect postseason play, including eligibility for the post-season and/or home-field advantage for any postseason game.

8.02a The Umpire

Appeal of Umpire Decisions a) Any umpire's decision which involves judgment, such as, but not limited to, whether a batted ball is fair or foul, whether a pitch is a strike or a ball, or whether a runner is safe or out, is final. No player, manager, coach or substitute shall object to any such judgment decisions.

General Instructions to Umpires #6

Keep the game moving. A ball game is often helped by energetic and earnest work of the umpires.

7.03a (Ending the Game) Forfeited Games 1)

A game may be forfeited to the opposing team when a team does 1 of 7 things: (1) 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.

7.03a (Ending the Game) Forfeited Games 3)

A game may be forfeited to the opposing team when a team does 1 of 7 things: (3) Refuses to continue play during a game unless the game has been suspended or terminated by the umpire-in- chief.

7.03a (Ending the Game) Forfeited Games 4)

A game may be forfeited to the opposing team when a team does 1 of 7 things: (4) Fails to resume play, after a suspension, within one minute after the umpire-in-chief has called "Play".

7.03a (Ending the Game) Forfeited Games 5)

A game may be forfeited to the opposing team when a team does 1 of 7 things: (5) After warning by the umpire, willfully and persistently violates any rules of the game.

7.03a (Ending the Game) Forfeited Games 6)

A game may be forfeited to the opposing team when a team does 1 of 7 things: (6) Fails to obey within a reasonable time the umpire's order for removal of a player from the game.

7.03a (Ending the Game) Forfeited Games 7)

A game may be forfeited to the opposing team when a team does 1 of 7 things: (7) 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.

7.02b (Ending the Game) Resuming a Suspended Game 3)

A suspended game shall be resumed and completed in 1 of 5 ways: (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; (A) Immediately preceding the next scheduled single game, or (B) Immediately preceding the next scheduled double header, if no single game remains on the schedule.

General Instructions to Umpires #13

Finally, be courteous, impartial and firm, and so compel respect from all.

7.03a Ending the Game

Forfeited Games (4.15 old rules) a) A game may be forfeited to the opposing team when a team does 1 of 7 things:

7.03c Ending the Game

Forfeited Games (4.16 old rules) c) 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 intentionally or willfully is not complied with.

7.03b Ending the Game

Forfeited Games (4.17 old rules) b) A game shall be forfeited to the opposing team when a team is unable or refuses to place nine players on the field.

7.03d Ending the Game

Forfeited Games (4.18 old rules) d) If the umpire-in-chief declares a game forfeited he shall transmit a written report to the League President within 24 hours thereafter, but failure of such transmittal shall not affect the forfeiture.

7.02c - Comment Ending the Game

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.

General Instructions to Umpires #9

Keep your eye everlastingly on the ball while it is in play. It is more vital to know just where a fly ball fell, or a thrown ball finished up, than whether or not a runner missed a base. Do not call the plays too quickly, or turn away too fast when a fielder is throwing to complete a double play. Watch out for dropped balls after you have called a man out.

General Instructions to Umpires #2

Keep your uniform in good condition. Be active and alert on the field.

General Instructions to Umpires #12

Most important rule for umpires is always "BE IN POSITION TO SEE EVERY PLAY." Even though your decision may be 100% right, players still question it if they feel you were not in a spot to see the play clearly and definitely.

7.02a (Ending the Game) Suspended Game, 7)

National Association Leagues may also adopt the following 3 (7-9) rules for suspended games: (7) The game has not become a regulation game (41⁄2 innings with the home team ahead, or 5 innings with the visiting club ahead or tied) (*shall not apply to the last scheduled game between the two teams during the championship season. League may adopt them for its post-season games.)

7.02a (Ending the Game) Suspended Game, 8)

National Association Leagues may also adopt the following 3 (7-9) rules for suspended games: (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 7.01(a) (*shall not apply to the last scheduled game between the two teams during the championship season. League may adopt them for its post-season games.)

7.02a (Ending the Game) Suspended Game, 9)

National Association Leagues may also adopt the following 3 (7-9) rules for suspended games: (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. (*shall not apply to the last scheduled game between the two teams during the championship season. League may adopt them for its post-season games.)

7.02a (Ending the Game) Suspended Game - Exceptions

No game called because of a curfew, weather, a time limit or with a tied score shall be a suspended game unless it has progressed far enough to have been a regulation game pursuant to Rule 7.01(c). A game called pursuant to Rules 7.02(a)(3) or 7.02(a)(4) shall be a suspended game at any time after it starts.

7.04 Ending the Game

Protesting Games (4.19 old rules) 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.

7.04 - Comment Ending the game

Protesting Games - 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-end- ing play may be filed until 12 noon the following day with the league office.

7.01a Ending the Game

Regulation Games (4.10 old rules) 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.

General Instructions to Umpires #8

You no doubt are going to make mistakes, but never attempt to "even up" after having made one. Make all decisions as you see them and forget which is the home or visiting club.

7.01b Ending the Game

Regulation Games (4.10 old rules) 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.

7.01c Ending the Game

Regulation Games (4.10 old rules) 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. (*not postseason or tie-breaker games).

7.01d Ending the Game

Regulation Games (4.10 old rules) d) If a regulation game is called with the score tied, it shall become a suspended game. See Rule 7.02

7.01e Ending the Game

Regulation Games (4.10 old rules) e) If a game is postponed or otherwise called before it has become a regulation game, the umpire-in-chief shall declare it "No Game," unless the game is called pursuant to Rules 7.02(a)(3) or 7.02(a)(4), which shall be a suspended game at any time after it starts. (*not postseason or tie-breaker games).

7.01f Ending the Game

Regulation Games (4.10 old rules) f) A League President may determine whether rain checks will be honoured for any regulation or suspended game that has progressed to or beyond a point of play described in Rule 7.01(c).

7.01a cont... Ending the Game

Regulation Games (4.10 old rules) - EXCEPTION National Association leagues may adopt a rule providing that one or both games of a double- header shall be seven innings in length. In such games, any of these rules applying to the ninth inning shall apply to the seventh inning.

7.01g cont... Ending the Game

Regulation Games (4.11 old rules) 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 pass- ing 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.

7.01g Ending the Game

Regulation Games (4.11 old rules) g) The score of a regulation game is the total number of runs scored by each team at the moment the game ends. (1) The game ends when the visiting team completes its half of the ninth inning if the home team is ahead. (2) The game ends when the ninth inning is completed, if the visiting team is ahead. (3) 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. (4) A called game ends at the moment the umpire terminates play, unless it becomes a suspended game pursuant to Rule 7.02(a).

8.04a The Umpire

Reporting a) The umpire shall report to the League President within twelve hours after the end of a game all violations of rules and other incidents worthy of comment, including the disqualification of any trainer, manager, coach or player, and the reasons therefor.

8.04b The Umpire

Reporting b) When any trainer, manager, coach or player is disqualified for a flagrant offence such as the use of obscene or indecent language, or an assault upon an umpire, trainer, manager, coach or player, the umpire shall forward full particulars to the League President within four hours after the end of the game.

8.04c The Umpire

Reporting c) After receiving the umpire's report that a trainer, manager, coach or player has been disqualified, the League President shall impose such penalty as he deems justified, and shall notify the person penalized and the manager of the club of which the penalized person is a member. If the penalty includes a fine, the penalized person shall pay the amount of the fine to the league within five days after receiving notice of the fine. Failure to pay such fine within five days shall result in the offender being debarred from participation in any game and from sitting on the players' bench during any game, until the fine is paid.

General Instructions to Umpires #7

You are the only official representative of baseball on the ball field. It is often a trying position which requires the exercise of much patience and good judgment, but do not forget that the first essential in working out of a bad situation is to keep your own temper and self-control.

7.02a (Ending the Game) Suspended Game, 1)

a) A game shall become a suspended game that must be completed at a future date if the game is terminated for any of 9 reasons: (1) A curfew imposed by law

7.02a (Ending the Game) Suspended Game, 2)

a) A game shall become a suspended game that must be completed at a future date if the game is terminated for any of 9 reasons: (2) A time limit permissible under league rules

7.02a (Ending the Game) Suspended Game, 3)

a) A game shall become a suspended game that must be completed at a future date if the game is terminated for any of 9 reasons: (3) Light failure, malfunction of, or unintentional operator error in employing, a mechanical or field device or equipment under the control of the home club (e.g., a retractable roof, a tarpaulin, or other water removal equipment)

7.02a (Ending the Game) Suspended Game, 4)

a) A game shall become a suspended game that must be completed at a future date if the game is terminated for any of 9 reasons: (4) Darkness, when a law prevents the lights from being turned on

7.02b (Ending the Game) Resuming a Suspended Game 4)

A suspended game shall be resumed and completed in 1 of 5 ways: (4) Any suspended game that has progressed far enough to become a regulation game, but which has not been completed prior to the last scheduled game between the two teams during the championship season shall become a called game, as follows: (A) If one team is ahead, the team that is ahead shall be declared the winner (unless the 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, in which case the score upon the completion of the last full inning shall stand for purposes of this Rule 7.02(b)(4). or (B) If the score is tied, the game shall be declared a "tie game" (unless the 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 tie the game, and the home team has not retied the game, in which case the score upon the completion of the last full inning shall stand for purposes of this Rule 7.02(b)(4).

8.02b The Umpire

Appeal of Umpire Decisions b) If there is reasonable doubt that any umpire's decision may be in conflict with the rules, the manager may appeal the decision and ask that a correct ruling be made. Such appeal shall be made only to the umpire who made the protested decision.

8.02c The Umpire

Appeal of Umpire Decisions c) If a decision is appealed, the umpire making the decision may ask another umpire for information before making a final decision. No umpire shall criticize, seek to reverse or interfere with another umpire's decision unless asked to do so by the umpire making it. If the umpires consult after a play and change a call that had been made, then they have the authority to take all steps that they may deem necessary, in their discretion, to eliminate the results and consequences of the earlier call that they are reversing, including placing runners where they think those runners would have been after the play, had the ultimate call been made as the initial call, disregarding interference or obstruction that may have occurred on the play; failures of runners to tag up based upon the initial call on the field; runners passing other runners or missing bases; etc., all in the discretion of the umpires. No player, manager or coach shall be permitted to argue the exercise of the umpires' discretion in resolving the play and any person so arguing shall be subject to ejection. ***

8.02d The Umpire

Appeal of Umpire Decisions d) No umpire may be replaced during a game unless he is injured or becomes ill. (d) If there is only one umpire, he shall have complete jurisdiction in administering the rules. He may take any position on the playing field which will enable him to discharge his duties (usually behind the catcher, but sometimes behind the pitcher if there are runners). He shall be considered umpire-in-chief.

8.02e The Umpire

Appeal of Umpire Decisions e) If there are two or more umpires, one shall be designated umpire-in-chief and the others field umpires.

8.02a - Comment The Umpire

Appeal of Umpire Decisions - Comment Players leaving their position in the field or on base, or managers or coaches leaving the bench or coaches box, to argue on BALLS AND STRIKES will not be permitted. They should be warned if they start for the plate to protest the call. If they continue, they will be ejected from the game.

8.02c - Comment #1 The Umpire

Appeal of Umpire Decisions - Comment A manager is permitted to ask the umpires for an explanation of the play and how the umpires have exercised their discretion to eliminate the results and consequences of the earlier call that the umpires are reversing. Once the umpires explain the result of the play, however, no one is permitted to argue that the umpires should have exercised their discretion in a different manner.

8.02c - Comment #3 The Umpire

Appeal of Umpire Decisions - Comment Appeals on a half swing may be made only on the call of ball and when asked to appeal, the home plate umpire must refer to a base umpire for his judgment on the half swing. Should the base umpire call the pitch a strike, the strike call shall prevail. Appeals on a half swing must be made before the next pitch, or any play or attempted play. If the half swing occurs during a play which ends a half-inning, the appeal must be made before all infielders of the defensive team leave fair territory.

8.02c - Comment #4 The Umpire

Appeal of Umpire Decisions - Comment Baserunners must be alert to the possibility that the base umpire on appeal from the plate umpire may reverse the call of a ball to the call of a strike, in which event the runner is in jeopardy of being out by the catcher's throw. Also, a catcher must be alert in a base stealing situation if a ball call is reversed to a strike by the base umpire upon appeal from the plate umpire.

8.02c - Comment #5 The Umpire

Appeal of Umpire Decisions - Comment The ball is in play on appeal on a half swing. On a half swing, if the manager comes out to argue with first or third base umpire and if after being warned he persists in arguing, he can be ejected as he is now arguing over a called ball or strike.

8.02c - Comment #2 The Umpire

Appeal of Umpire Decisions - Comment The manager or the catcher may request the plate umpire to ask his partner for help on a half swing when the plate umpire calls the pitch a ball, but not when the pitch is called a strike. The manager may not complain that the umpire made an improper call, but only that he did not ask his partner for help. Field umpires must be alerted to the request from the plate umpire and quickly respond. Managers may not protest the call of a ball or strike on the pretence they are asking for information about a half swing.

General Instructions to Umpires #3

Be courteous, always, to club officials; avoid visiting in club offices and thoughtless familiarity with officers or employees of contesting clubs.

General Instructions to Umpires #5

Do not allow criticism to keep you from studying out bad situations that may lead to protested games. Carry your rule book. It is better to consult the rules and hold up the game ten minutes to decide a knotty problem than to have a game thrown out on protest and replayed.

General Instructions to Umpires #10

Do not come running with your arm up or down, denoting "out" or "safe." Wait until the play is completed before making any arm motion.

7.00

ENDING THE GAME

General Instructions to Umpires #11

Each umpire team should work out a simple set of signals, so the proper umpire can always right a manifestly wrong decision when convinced he has made an error. If sure you got the play correctly, do not be stampeded by players' appeals to "ask the other man." If not sure, ask one of your associates. Do not carry this to extremes, be alert and get your own plays. But remember! The first requisite is to get decisions correctly. If in doubt don't hesitate to consult your associate. Umpire dignity is important but never as important as "being right."

7.02a Ending the Game

Suspended, Postponed & Tie 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 9 reasons (& exceptions). **Rule 7.02a shall not apply to any postseason or tie-breaking games.

7.02b Ending the Game

Suspended, Postponed & Tie Games b) A suspended game shall be resumed and completed in 1 of 5 ways. **Rule 7.02b shall not apply to any postseason or tie-breaking games.

7.02c Ending the Game

Suspended, Postponed & Tie Games 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.

8.00

THE UMPIRE (9.00 old rules)

8.03c The Umpire

Umpire Position c) If different decisions should be made on one play by different umpires, the umpire-in-chief shall call all the umpires into consultation, with no manager or player present. After consultation, the umpire-in-chief (unless another umpire may have been designated by the League President) shall determine which decision shall prevail, based on which umpire was in best position and which decision was most likely correct. Play shall proceed as if only the final decision had been made.

8.03b The Umpire

Umpire Position - Field Umpire b) A field umpire may take any position on the playing field he thinks best suited to make impending decisions on the bases. His duties shall be to: (1) Make all decisions on the bases except those specifically reserved to the umpire-in-chief; (2) Take concurrent jurisdiction with the umpire-in-chief in calling "Time," balks, illegal pitches, or defacement or discolouration of the ball by any player. (3) Aid the umpire-in-chief in every manner in enforcing the rules, and excepting the power to forfeit the game, shall have equal authority with the umpire-in-chief in administering and enforcing the rules and maintaining discipline.

8.03a The Umpire

Umpire Position - Plate Umpire (UIC) a) The umpire-in-chief shall stand behind the catcher (plate umpire) His duties shall be to: (1) Take full charge of, and be responsible for, the proper conduct of the game; (2) Call and count balls and strikes; (3) Call and declare fair balls and fouls except those commonly called by field umpires; (4) Make all decisions on the batter; (5) Make all decisions except those commonly reserved for the field umpires; (6) Decide when a game shall be forfeited; (7) If a time limit has been set, announce the fact and the time set before the game starts; (8) Inform the official scorer of the official batting order, and any changes in the lineups and batting order, on request; (9) Announce any special ground rules, at his discretion.

8.01a The Umpire

Umpire Qualifications & Authority a) The League President shall appoint one or more umpires to officiate at each league championship game. The umpires shall be responsible for the conduct of the game in accordance with these official rules and for maintaining discipline and order on the playing field during the game.

8.01b The Umpire

Umpire Qualifications & Authority b) Each umpire is the representative of the league and of professional baseball, and is authorized and required to enforce all of these rules. Each umpire has authority to order a player, coach, manager or club officer or employee to do or refrain from doing anything which affects the administering of these rules, and to enforce the prescribed penalties.

8.01c The Umpire

Umpire Qualifications & Authority c) Each umpire has authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in these rules.

8.01d The Umpire

Umpire Qualifications & Authority d) Each umpire has authority to disqualify any player, coach, manager or substitute for objecting to decisions or for unsportsmanlike conduct or language, and to eject such disqualified person from the playing field. If an umpire disqualifies a player while a play is in progress, the disqualification shall not take effect until no further action is possible in that play.

8.01e The Umpire

Umpire Qualifications & Authority e) Each umpire has authority at his discretion to eject from the playing field (1) any person whose duties permit his presence on the field, such as ground crew members, ushers, photographers, newsmen, broadcasting crew members, etc., and (2) any spectator or other person not authorized to be on the playing field.

General Instructions to Umpires #1

Umpires, on the field, should not indulge in conversation with players. Keep out of the coaching box and do not talk to the coach on duty.

7.02a (Ending the Game) Suspended Game - Note

Weather and similar conditions—Rules 7.02(a)(1-5) 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 7.02(a)

General Instructions to Umpires #4

When you enter a ball park your sole duty is to umpire a ball game as the representative of baseball.

7.02a (Ending the Game) Suspended Game, 5)

a) A game shall become a suspended game that must be completed at a future date if the game is terminated for any of 9 reasons: (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

7.02a (Ending the Game) Suspended Game, 6)

a) A game shall become a suspended game that must be completed at a future date if the game is terminated for any of 9 reasons: (6) It is a regulation game that is called with the score tied