Rule 7.00 — Ending the Game

7.01  Regulation Games

  (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: The Minor 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) Extra Innings

  (1) 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.

  (2) Each half-inning following the ninth inning will begin with a runner on second base, as follows:

  (A) The batter (or a substitute for the batter) who leads off an inning shall continue to be the batter who would lead off the inning in the absence of this Extra Innings rule.

  (B) The runner placed on second base at the start of each half-inning shall be the player (or a substitute for such player) in the batting order immediately preceding that half-inning’s leadoff hitter. By way of example, if the number five hitter in the batting order is due to lead off the tenth inning, the number four player in the batting order (or a pinch-runner for such player) shall begin the inning on second base. However, if the player in the batting order immediately preceding that half-inning’s leadoff hitter is the pitcher, the runner placed on second base at the start of that half-inning may be the player preceding the pitcher in the batting order. Any runner or batter removed from the game for a substitute shall be ineligible to return to the game in accordance with Rule 5.10.

  (C) For purposes of calculating earned runs under Rule 9.16, the runner who begins an inning on second base pursuant to this rule shall be deemed to be a runner who has reached second base because of a fielding error, but no error shall be charged to the opposing team or to any player. For purposes of Rule 9.02, the Official Scorer shall keep records of the number of times each batter and runner is placed at second base in accordance with this rule.

  (D) Starting in the tenth inning and until the game has ended, the plate umpire shall check the offensive team’s line-up card to verify the proper runner starting at second base. If an improper runner is placed, the plate umpire shall inform the offensive manager immediately and have the proper runner placed at second base. If an improper runner is noticed by an umpire or either manager after play has commenced, he shall be replaced with the proper runner and all plays made will be legal, unless a batting out of order situation nullifies the advancement. There is no penalty for an improper runner before or after scoring.

  (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 7.02.

  (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), 7.02(a)(4) or 7.02(a)(5). If a game is postponed or otherwise called due to extraordinary circumstances, in the discretion of the Office of the Commissioner, it shall be a suspended game.

  (f) The Office of the Commissioner 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 Rule 7.01(c).

  (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.

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.

  (4) A called game ends at the moment the umpire terminates play, unless it becomes a suspended game pursuant to (Rule 7.02(a).

7.02  Suspended, Postponed, and 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 the following reasons:

  (1) A curfew imposed by law;

  (2) A time limit permissible under league rules;

  (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);

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

  (5) Weather, if the game is called before it is a regulation game, or 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;

The Minor Leagues may also adopt the following rules for suspended games. (If adopted by a Minor League, Rule 7.01(e) would not apply to their games.);

  (7) The game has not become a regulation game (4-1/2 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 7.01(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 7.02(a)(7), 7.02(a)(8) and 7.02(a)(9) for the Minor Leagues shall not apply to the last scheduled game between the two teams during the championship season. A Minor League may adopt any of Rules 7.02(a)(7), 7.02(a)(8) and 7.02(a)(9) for its post-season games.

Unless directed otherwise by the Office of the Commissioner, no game called because of a curfew Rule 7.02(a)(1), a time limit Rule 7.02(a)(2) or with a tied score Rule 7.02(a)(6) 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), 7.02(a)(4) or 7.02(a)(5) shall be a suspended game at any time after it starts.

  (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;

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

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

  (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).

  (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 Office of the Commissioner determines that not playing such game might affect eligibility for the post-season and/or home-field advantage for any Wild Card or Division Series game.

  (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.

7.03  Forfeited Games

  (a)  A game may be forfeited to the opposing team when a team:

  (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;

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

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

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

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

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

  (7) Fails to appear for the second game of a doubleheader within thirty 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.

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

  (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.

  (d) If the umpire-in-chief declares a game forfeited he shall transmit a written report to the Office of the Commissioner within 24 hours thereafter, but failure of such transmittal shall not affect the forfeiture.

7.04  Protesting Games

Protesting a game shall never be permitted, regardless of whether such complaint is based on judgment decisions by the umpire or an allegation that an umpire misapplied these rules or otherwise rendered a decision in violation of these rules.