Ruling on Complete Games

All,

It's the third day of the regular season and I am compelled to inform all of you of specific rules that the Greater Route 50 abides by.

1. In Mustang a completed game is 6 innings.

2. In Bronco and PONY a completed game is 7 innings.

The following  pertains to games that are called due to darkness or weather.

Now in the event of weather or darkness the following is what the Greater Route 50 adopted two years ago.

If, in Mustang you complete 3 1/2 innings and the home team is winning that is a completed game. If after less than three innings or 3 1/2 innings and the home team is losing, and the game is called because of weather or darkness the following will occur. The game will be resumed at the point of which it was called. All runners that were on base will be placed back. The pitcher who was pitching must return and pitch. It is the responsibility of both managers to ensure the game resumes with the same circumstances as when it was called; runs in, outs recorded, ball and strike count and so on. Also, if the game resumes in a different week, the pitchers innings pitched will count for that week.

If a game goes into 4+ or 5+ innings and the game is called for darkness or weather the score at the end of the last completed inning will be considered a completed game. There is no deviation from this rule. So if the visiting team was losing after 4 innings and scores to take the lead in the top of the 5th and then the game is called before the home team bats, the score at the end of the 4th inning is the final score. Ties are final as well. There will be no resuming of games to complete until a winner is determined in the before mentioned scenario.

In Bronco and PONY if you complete 4 1/2 innings and the home team is winning that is a completed game. If after less than four innings or 4 1/2 innings and the home team is losing, and the game is called because of weather or darkness the following will occur. The game will be resumed at the point of which it was called. All runners that were on base will be placed back. The pitcher who was pitching must return and pitch. It is the responsibility of both managers to ensure the game resumes with the same circumstances as when it was called; runs in, outs recorded, ball and strike count and so on. Also, if the game resumes in a different week, the pitchers innings pitched will count for that week.

If a game goes into 5+ or 6+ innings and the game is called for darkness or weather the score at the end of the last completed inning will be considered a completed game. There is no deviation from this rule. So if the visiting team was losing after 5 innings and takes the lead in the top of the 6th and then the game is called before the home team bats, the score at the end of the 5th inning is the final score. Ties are final as well. There will be no resuming of games to complete until a winner is determined in the before mentioned scenario.

I hope this is clear. If not you all have my e-mail and my phone numbers.

Also, the time from now until mid-May is always difficult for Bronco and PONY to get games in. There are a multitude of reasons and one of the biggest is that the umpires are in school and have a hard time getting there on time. I am aware that this is no fault of the managers and I am exploring options for next year so all teams can complete full games. Remember all of you make the playoffs and patience is essential. I am very cognizant of the rules and have been ruling accordingly. Like I mentioned in our meeting on April 7th there should be no gray area. I hope the above will help you all. Additionally, you all must use your knowledge of when and when not to start an inning when darkness is setting in. Remember we do not want injuries to any child.

League reps make sure you get this to your managers.

David L. Davis

GR50 President