What Are Baseball’s Rain Delay Rules?

Rain delays can have a significant impact on the baseball betting markets. Wet weather often favours pitchers, but it can also lead to aces being removed from a game prematurely, which can give lineups a chance to face some mediocre relievers.

Waiting for the decision on whether a game will be rained out can be frustrating when I’m looking for the outcome of my MLB betting picks. It’s beneficial for bettors to understand how MLB’s rain delay rules operate. 

What Are Baseball’s Rain Delay Rules?

MLB games can be played in light rain. Play will be halted if the rain is heavy or if there is standing water on the field. Games that are stopped and cannot be continued on the same day can be resumed at a later date. 

How Many Innings to Complete a Rain Delay?

A game is considered a “regulation game” once the away team has recorded 15 outs if the home team is leading. 

If the away team is leading, the home team must record 15 outs.

How Long Can a Rain Delay Last in MLB?

Umpires must wait at least 75 minutes to see if the weather conditions improve. 

MLB encourages its umpires to wait as long as possible to try to get the game played, so this can sometimes lead to several hours of waiting. 

Why Do Pitchers Get Pulled After a Rain Delay?

Pitchers are often pulled after a lengthy rain delay, as the waiting period can cause them to cool down, which increases the risk of injury if they warm up again. 

This can lead to pitchers with a low pitch count being removed from a game if they have been forced to wait for over 30 minutes. 

There are also concerns that pitching in cold or wet weather is risky for pitchers. It can be hard to grip a wet baseball, which might lead to further strain on the arm and shoulder. 

What’s the Rainout Ticket Policy for MLB?

If a regulation game is not completed, MLB teams will usually transfer your ticket to the rescheduled game. This is usually part of either a split-admission or single-admission doubleheader.

Fans who do not want to use the ticket for the rescheduled game may be able to transfer it to another game in a similar seat. 

How Much Rain Can You Play Baseball In?

MLB games will usually continue in light to moderate rain. 

Player safety is the primary factor umpires consider when deciding if a game can continue, so standing water and visibility are two key factors.

Thunder and lightning can also lead to play being suspended. There have also been instances of snow delays, which usually occur in the first few weeks of the regular season. 

What’s the Longest Rain Delay in MLB History?

The longest rain delay in MLB history was seven hours and 23 minutes in a game between the Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox on Aug. 12, 1990. 

No pitches were thrown in the game for a game that was due to begin in the afternoon. Around 500 fans remained in the stands when the game was called off.