When you go to the ball park to watch baseball, having the game delayed or called because of rain is no fun. Teams and umpires make decisions to delay games based on player safety and the playability of the field. If umpires call a game, they use a strict set of rules to determine if there is a winner or if the game is canceled or suspended.
Before Play Starts
Before play begins, the home team has the authority to delay or cancel the game. Naturally, the home team doesn't want to disappoint the fans, so it's in the team's interest to get the game under way unless weather conditions make it impossible. If the game is called, you will get a rain check that entitles you to attend another game that season. You also get a rain check if the contest is called after play begins unless the contest meets the criteria to be considered a complete game.
During Play
Once a baseball game begins, the umpires are responsible for deciding if play should continue if it rains. Umpires make judgment calls based on how reasonable and safe it is to play. If they halt play, a rain delay can last between a few minutes and several hours. Sometimes, more than one rain delay is necessary. The umpires only call a game when weather conditions or continuing delays make it impractical to finish.
Called Games
Whether you get a rain check for a called game depends on the circumstances. A baseball game does not count if the teams have played fewer than five innings. This can be shortened to as little as 4 1/2 innings if the home team is ahead, since further scoring in the bottom of the firth inning would only increase that team's lead. If a game is called in either case, it would be considered canceled. If the teams complete five innings, the game counts, and the team that is ahead is the winner. However, if the score is tied, it becomes a suspended game and must be finished at a later date. You get a rain check for canceled or suspended games, but not for games in which the winner has been decided.
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