Stupid Radio Guys, Vegas, and the Seventies

Driving into work this morning, I had Mike & Mike in the morning on. Naturally, given what's going on, they are chatting and complaining about the this suspended game situation. Mostly, the fact that Vegas still thinks it's the 1970's and paid out bets that the Phillies would win game 5.

Now, Mike (not Gorrick or whatever) was insistent, insistent I say, that this would not be the case in the regular season. And I say he's dead wrong!

Now, everyone take out your text books (or Acrobat reader as the case may be). In section 2, just to start out with, we can find the definition of a called game - one that is terminated for any reason. I am paraphrasing here, I'm sure anyone reading this can look up the rest themselves.

Now, the meat. Section 4.10-4.12. How is an official game decided?

4.10(c) defines an official game. Nothing you probably don't know here if you're still reading :)

4.11 defines the final score of a game as the score when the game ends. Section (d), since at least 1980, not that a called game terminates at the very moment the umpires stopped play...unless it's suspended. That's where Selig came in during the press conference and brought up 4.12(a)6, tied games are suspended games.

Baseball's web site has a nice little FAQ up to clarify things a little more right now. Apparently, the rule for rolling back the score to the last full inning was eliminated in 1980. WHY IS VEGAS TAKING BETS BASED ON 1980 RULES? Ah well. The "tie games are suspended" part came about in 2007.

Ah well...what can you expect from ESPN anyway? Ratings and controversy I guess.

Carry on.