Cold and Snow Cancel 17 MLB Games
Abundant late-season cold and snow have forced the postponement of 17 Major League Baseball games this season, and more are possible this week.
The Major League Baseball official rules (4.12) mention that weather is one of the reasons that games can be suspended, but they do not outline specific guidelines for critical temperatures or wind.
Most people are aware of games being "rained out," since it is the most common cause for postponing play. However, rain has not been the only hindrance this year.
"Friday's [April 19, 2013] in-game forecast called for a high of 38 degrees in Chicago, with winds approaching 20 mph and a wind chill dipping to 28 degrees. With the cancellation coming with the comfort of the players and the fans in mind, and not about any sort of precipitation, the decision was made around lunch time to avoid people having to make any unnecessary trips,"according to the MLB website.
Before a game begins, it is the manager of the home team who makes the call whether a game will be delayed or canceled. Once the manager exchanges his lineup card to the umpire, the umpire-in-chief then makes the decision during the game if the game needs to be called or suspended due to weather conditions of the playing field. (Rule 4.01)
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