November 20, 2008

Selig says all playoff games will last nine innings

Commissioner Bud Selig said after owners' meetings today that there will be a rule change making it clear that every postseason game will last at least nine innings.

"All postseason games, All-Star games and that, will be full-length affairs, and the rule will be so written," Selig said Thursday in an Associated Press report.

The change will also apply to tiebreaker games that decide division championships and wild-card spots, Selig said. "Any game that has significance for the postseason," he said. "It will be very clear now. Everybody will know exactly."

There was much confusion - for fans and players - in Game 5 of the World Series with the Rays and Phillies, which was suspended in the sixth inning for 46 hours due to weather. Baseball rules state a game is official once the trailing team records 15 outs, and so before the Rays tied it in the sixth, some thought the series-clinching game could have been decided in less than nine

Selig said after the game was delayed that he had planned all along for the playoff game to go nine. And soon, there could be a rule to make it clear to everyone.

-- JOE SMITH