By: Al Hudson-October 29, 2008 

Tonight’s World Series game in Philadelphia could decide the outcome, but to many the winner should have already been declared.

There are many points to debate, but only one has any real importance to the discussion.

Rule:412 expressly covers 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.

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).

This game was complete after 5 innings, the run Tampa scored in the top of the sixth should have been rescinded, as the game should have reverted to the bottom of the fifth. The Phillies had a 2-1, and according to the rules could not bat in the bottom of the sixth because of weather conditions deemed unplayable by the plate umpire.

I don’t have a problem with the way Bud interpreted his power. The right thing to do was to suspend the game at that point and resume when safe to play.

However, the rules cannot be changed in mid-game. In a court of law, the Phillies would be given the title. The bookmakers in Vegas have already paid off their bets by declaring Philadelphia the winner by the rules. The bookmakers better pray that the Rays don’t come back to win. Vegas violence may be worse than Detroit after the Pistons won the NBA title.

My other complaint was Selig’s state of mind. Anyone listening to his press conference had to be concerned about his speech patterns. I’m not saying he had imbibed too many Old Milwaukee’s, but he did slur his words on more than one occasion.

Let’s hope the powers in baseball rescind his leadership, and make the rules reflect what is the right thing to do.

The All Star home field rule is a joke. Selig has violated the most reverent of baseball rules.

Do nothing to disrupt the integrity of the game. Mr. Selig’s rulings are a travesty to baseball.

Note: My opinion has nothing to do with my picking the Phillies in 5.

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