Lineups Exchanged at Plate Meeting - Light Failure - Game Doesn't Start

[johnnyg08]

Title sums up the issue. Modified OBR, plate meeting, lineups exchanged, light failure. Game never starts. 

Are those lineups locked in when they play the game at a later date? Or since the game didn't actually start, they simply submit new lineups since in amateur leagues player availability varies from day to day and the game didn't actually start. 

What says the arbiters? 

 

[BLWizzRanger]

Depends if they are playing for a $5 or $10 ring. 

Other than making sure the umps got paid, I wouldn't care or worry about what lineup was used if the game was rescheduled.   

[Velho]

That's where I am. If it's a one-off then whatever the teams agree to is fine. If it's part something formal I'd look to the TD/League Admin to opine.

[BigBlue4u]

Since the lineups have been exchanged, the umpires are in charge of the game.  However, in this case, the game never started. Thus, although I can't find a rule reference, I would say it's a nothingburger and, if the game is rescheduled, coaches would be free to submit a new/different lineup.

[Velho]

8 minutes ago, BigBlue4u said:

Since the lineups have been exchanged, the umpires are in charge of the game.  However, in this case, the game never started.

The game starts with the lineup exchange.

As we've alluded to, this is crossing into "technically right" territory. In addition to naming starters (which matters in a no-rentry ruleset), the lineup dictates that he named pitcher must face one batter to completion:

5.10 (f) The pitcher named in the batting order handed the umpire-in-chief, as provided in Rules 4.02(a) and 4.02(b), shall pitch to the first batter or any substitute batter until such batter is put out or reaches first base, unless the pitcher sustains injury or illness which, in the judgment of the umpire-in-chief, incapacitates him from pitching.

[BigBlue4u]

12 minutes ago, Velho said:

The game starts with the lineup exchange.

Velho, I'm not sure about MLB, but take a look at rule 4-1-5 in the high school rule book.

[Velho]

3 hours ago, BigBlue4u said:

3 hours ago, Velho said:

The game starts with the lineup exchange.

Velho, I'm not sure about MLB, but take a look at rule 4-1-5 in the high school rule book.

The OP was OBR so I was in that mainframe.

Fair point on NHFS 4-1-5 "The game begins when the umpire calls 'Play" after all infielders, pitcher, catcher and batter are in position to start the game."

That said, 3-1-1, 1-2, 2-28-1, 2-36 would all govern that game played following the exchange of lineups being constrained to those lineups.

This would then be semantical on whether the game being played was "continued" following the lineup exchange or "cancelled" / "postponed". Which goes back to, if it's low stakes, hope the coaches agree on a do-over. Otherwise, let an Admin decide.

[The Man in Blue]

Call them all out for abandonment … 🤪