So, I’m a huge baseball fan, right? And like any die-hard fan, I’ve sat through my fair share of rain delays. But it got me thinking, what are the actual rules around these delays? I started digging around to figure it out.
First off, I found that in 2024, the MLB is still using the same rain delay rules they put in place back in 2023. It’s all about giving it some time before making any big decisions. Basically, once a game gets paused because of rain or whatever, the umpires have to wait at least 30 minutes before they can call it a day or declare a winner. I remember sitting in the stadium during one of those delays, and let me tell you, those 30 minutes can feel like forever when you’re just waiting around.
I also learned that there’s a difference between a rain delay and a rainout. A rain delay is just a temporary pause, and the game will continue later that day or night. But a rainout? That’s when the game is canceled, postponed, or suspended because of seriously bad weather, like heavy rain, snow, or even flooding. I’ve had tickets to a few games that ended up being rainouts, and it’s always a bummer.
- Rain Delay: Game paused, will continue later.
- Rainout: Game canceled, postponed, or suspended.
Another thing I discovered is that for a game to be considered official, they usually need to get through at least five innings. If the visiting team is ahead or it’s tied after five, they can call it an official game, even if the weather is terrible. I guess that makes sense, but it still stinks if you’re at the game and it gets cut short.
In the end, I realized that rain delays are just a part of baseball. You can’t control the weather, right? But knowing the rules helps make those long waits a little more bearable. Plus, it’s always interesting to learn more about the behind-the-scenes stuff of the game I love. Also, I went to check the official website, just in case there might be a game that day or the next day. If the weather is bad, I usually tune into the radio for updates or look at their website.
My little tips
I gathered some experience from the rain delay. Here are some of them.
- Always check the weather forecast before going to a game.
- Bring a poncho or umbrella, just in case.
- Be patient during delays – it’s all part of the experience.
Anyway, that’s my little adventure into the world of MLB rain delay rules. Hope you found it as interesting as I did!
