Little League Baseball Rules on Rain Out

Summer would not be the same without baseball. Each year, thousands of boys and girls sign up to play with Little League-affiliated teams across the United States. Little League models its rules after the Major League Baseball official rules. Little League has designed the rules regarding rain, lightning and other serious weather occurrences to keep young players safe while they participate in this popular pastime.

  1. Innings

    • Little League teams play six full innings in a regulation game. If an official calls the game prior to the start of the first inning, the teams consider the game not played and the managers reschedule the game for a future date. When the game reaches four full innings of play, the umpire declares it an official game. If the home team leads the game after three and a half innings, each side records it as a complete game. During games in which the teams play more than one inning but less than the required four innings, officials suspend the game and teams resume play at that point.

    Who Decides?

    • Officials inspect the playing field for safety issues before resuming a game.

      Individual Little League organizations determine who has the power to postpone play or halt an ongoing game. Umpires usually decide the fate of the game. Some leagues hand off the responsibility of calling a game to the team managers or other league representatives. The official's decision is final. Players, managers and parents cannot begin or resume play without permission. Little League rules require that officials inspect the playing field and deem it safe for play prior to starting or resuming a game.

    Managers' Role

    • The home team must inform the visiting team of any rain delays or canceled games. Team managers assume responsibility for clearing the playing field during a rain delay or at the first signs of dangerous weather, and they oversee the players as the team moves to a safe, sheltered area. Players must stay with their team until the game resumes or until officials postpone it. If the umpire calls the game, managers decide the date and time of the makeup game.

    Other Dangerous Weather

    • Umpires or other designated officials must stop play and clear the field at the first sight of lightning. Little League Inc. suggests that officials wait 30 minutes from the time they last saw lightning before returning to the field. If anyone spots a tornado or funnel cloud in the vicinity of the baseball field, the game stops and all participants move to the closest appropriate shelter available for the duration of the storm. Most Little League organizations also acknowledge the dangers associated with playing in high heat and humidity and require that managers respond accordingly.

    Tournament Play

    • Any tournament game called before six full innings that does not have a clear winner becomes a suspended game. The teams play out the game from the point where it stopped at their next scheduled meeting. If a tournament game stops due to weather before the first inning can be completed, officials consider the game not played and schedule a makeup game.