GAME ENDING PROCEDURES
QUESTION: In high school, baseball and softball, the game is tied at the end of the fourth inning; due to weather conditions or power failure, the game cannot be continued. Is this a suspended game? Is game resumed from point of interruption when rescheduled?
ANSWER: This is considered “no game” as it did not go to regulation game status (4 1/2 – 5 innings). It is also not a regulation tied game. (BB- Rule 4, Sec. 3; SB- Rule 4, Sec. 2, Art. 4). In New Jersey, regular season suspended games are not permitted; during state tournament games, suspended games are permitted.
QUESTION: At the end of the fifth inning, the score is tied but the game must be stopped due to weather conditions. As a result, the game is called. Is this a suspended game? Is this a regulation game?
ANSWER: This is considered a regulation tied game. The game result is determined by each state association’s game ending procedure such as resuming play or awarding each team a possible (1/2) point, etc. (BB and SB – rules- same as above). In New Jersey, this is a regulation tied game in regular season but it is not resumed.