In the United States, baseball gets associated with summer and sunny skies. But summer also brings with it inclement weather, and baseball has specific rules regarding play and the weather. The baseball weather rules are taken from the Official Rules of Major League Baseball. Weather rules may vary for collegiate and recreational games.
Rule 3.10(a)
Except for the second game of a doubleheader (when two games are played back to back), the person who makes the decision as to whether or not weather conditions are unsuitable for play to begin is the manager of the home team. The home team manager can also determine that play cannot begin because conditions of the grounds are unsuitable for play. This rule can be suspended during championship play.
Rule 3.10(b)
The person who makes the decision as to whether or not weather conditions are unsuitable for play to begin for the second game of a doubleheader is the person who served as umpire-in-chief during the first game.
Rule 3.10(c)
When unsuitable weather conditions develop during a game, the person who makes the decision as to whether or not and when play should be suspended is the umpire-in-chief. The umpire-in-chief also decides when and if play should resume after it has been suspended. After 30 minutes of suspension, the umpire-in-chief can decide to continue the suspension if he believes that the weather will resolve and play can be resumed, or he can terminate or "call" the game. A game cannot be called without at least one 30-minute period of suspension. A suspension can continue as long as the umpire-in-chief determines appropriate because he is obligated to try to complete the game.
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