World Series Game 5 Discussion

[Reade]

game is suspended until tomorrow, where the weather is supposed to be as bad as it is tonight

[KowboyKoop]

Selig couldn't do squat about it. There is no special rule just because its the world series

It's also a rule that if a player gets hit by a pitch but doesn't try to get out of the way, he doesn't get to take a base. Tell me the last time and how often you see that one get called.


Rules get bended all the time and there are always some exceptions. Until the situation actually presents itself, nobody can know for sure.

[kenny1234]

Even if it wasn't tied, I don't think there is anything in the rule book that says a game can't be suspended instead of called.

[HoustonGM]

I'm slowly reading through Rob Neyer's in-game chat transcript on ESPN. At the point where I'm at now (half way), two people have chimed in regarding this rule, neither with any actual proof:

Zak (Illadelphia): it would be after 5, but you have to complete the entire 9 in the postseason

aladdin (stamford, ct): zak, your actually wrong...the same rules apply here as they do in the regular season...however, i cannot see mlb ending a teams season on a rain delay



I'll post if there's any more comments. Suffice it to say, KowboyKoop is right. Unless the situation presented itself, we have no way to know FOR SURE. Bud Selig did end an All Star Game in a tie, which, while not directly comparable for obvious reasons, is a point in favor of "Bud Selig will do anything possible to save his ass."

[KowboyKoop]

I have no proof or evidence or precedent for my thoughts...I just think it would be such a gigantic disaster to name a WS winner after waiting out a rain delay....I mean, how long is enough to wait before ending a team's chances of winning the WS. What if they wait two hours, name the Phils the champs, and then an hour later the rain lets us....can you IMAGINE the outrage of the Rays and their fans??? How long do you wait..exactly how hard does the rain have to get before calling a game final after 5 innings.....so much controversy. I can't imagine a WS game ever ending this way, regardless of the rulebook...I gotta imagine there is something in some rulebook somewhere that gives the commissioner special authority in extreme circumstances.....

[HoustonGM]

More from the Neyer chat:

Rob Neyer: (10:30 PM ET ) Hey, at least it was close, maybe two inches outside. Meanwhile, it's now raining harder and Crawford goes down quickly . . . Okay, according to Jon Miller there's no special rule for World Series games. So if this one's stopped tonight for good, the Phillies are World Champs. Which I'm sure they wouldn't mind, but this might go down as the worst World Series ever.

[BBMogulLover21]

I just heard from our Fox News Sports Caster.... that apparently Bud Selig made it clear that even if the Rays did not score that second run the Phillies would not have been named the winner due to the rule book... so it must be somewhere???

[HoustonGM]

Here's a bold prediction...Due to this close call, they'll officially add a rule stating that playoff games, World Series or otherwise, are suspended if they are called off, regardless of the score, and must go the full 9 innings.

[KowboyKoop]

I just heard from our Fox News Sports Caster.... that apparently Bud Selig made it clear that even if the Rays did not score that second run the Phillies would not have been named the winner due to the rule book... so it must be somewhere???

I'm sure this issue was being argued/discussed intensely before the Rays scored that run....IF Selig said this..I am not surprised. Still though, until it happens...I'm not going to assume for sure one way or the other. I believe this is what Selig or the acting commissioner would do though...

[Arctic Blast]

Selig couldn't do squat about it. There is no special rule just because its the world series

You're talking about a guy who changed the rules to avoid a tie IN AN ALL STAR GAME. No way in HELL is he going to let a World Series be decided because a game ends early due to rain.

[TheNamelessPoet]

More from the Neyer chat:

Rob Neyer: (10:30 PM ET ) Hey, at least it was close, maybe two inches outside. Meanwhile, it's now raining harder and Crawford goes down quickly . . . Okay, according to Jon Miller there's no special rule for World Series games. So if this one's stopped tonight for good, the Phillies are World Champs. Which I'm sure they wouldn't mind, but this might go down as the worst World Series ever.

its the best series ive seen in years I dont know WHAT is meant by it might go down as the worst series ever... at least it is entertaining to watch

[Reade]

Selig did say after the game that if the game wasn't tied there could be a four or five day rain delay, he said the game will be at least 9 innings long and he told both teams that before the game started.

It would have been interesting to see what the Phillies organization would have done if the game wasn't tied and they stopped it. I think the Phillies would've had a legit grip about a 4 or 5 day rain delay.

[TheNamelessPoet]

so... if they cant get it in today??? to they push back the tampa games... because they are unnessicary if philly wins?

[ohms_law]

I think the Phillies would've had a legit grip about a 4 or 5 day rain delay.

If it's true that Selig informed both teams prior to the game, I don't see what they would have to legitimately complain about...

so... if they cant get it in today??? to they push back the tampa games... because they are unnessicary if philly wins?

I don't see why not. Hopefully they don't run into scheduling problems with the facilities...

[KowboyKoop]

If it's true that Selig informed both teams prior to the game, I don't see what they would have to legitimately complain about...


I don't see why not. Hopefully they don't run into scheduling problems with the facilities...

That would assume that other people actually want to rent out that dump the Rays call home..................