What is a Mercy Rule in MLB?
MLB, or Major League Baseball, is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States. Teams compete in a regular season followed by a post-season and World Series. The sport has been around since the late 1800s, and has since been a staple of American culture.
A Mercy Rule, also known as the “slaughter rule”, is a rule that is designed to end a game when one team has a significantly larger lead than the other. The rule was put in place to protect teams from embarrassment and maintain competitive balance. The rule states that if a team is ahead by 10 or more runs after the 5th inning, the game is over.
Why is the Mercy Rule in MLB?
The main reason for the Mercy Rule in MLB is to help maintain competitive balance and prevent teams from suffering an embarrassing loss. It is also designed to help teams save time and money, as games are often cancelled or shortened due to the Mercy Rule.
The Mercy Rule is also put in place to keep the game fair and enjoyable. The rule ensures that games are competitive and that teams do not run away with the game in an uncompetitive manner.
How Often Does the Mercy Rule Come into Effect?
The Mercy Rule is not used often in MLB. In fact, only 24 games have been called due to the Mercy Rule since 2000. Of those, the majority have been called in the National League, with only 7 being called in the American League.
What Happens After a Game is Called Due to the Mercy Rule?
When a game is called due to the Mercy Rule, the score is recorded as it was at the end of the 5th inning. The team that was ahead at the end of the 5th inning is recorded as the winner and the losing team is recorded as the loser.
The teams do not play any further innings and no statistics are recorded for the 6th inning or beyond. This means that any runs scored in the 6th inning or beyond are not included in the teams’ scores or statistics.
Can You Get Mercied in MLB?
Yes, you can get mercied in MLB. The Mercy Rule is designed to protect teams from suffering an embarrassing loss and maintain competitive balance. When the game is called due to the Mercy Rule, the score is recorded as it was at the end of the 5th inning.
Reactions to the Mercy Rule
Reactions to the Mercy Rule have been mixed. Some have argued that it is necessary to maintain competitive balance, while others have argued that it takes away from the game.
Pros
- Maintains Competitive Balance – The Mercy Rule ensures that teams do not run away with the game in an uncompetitive manner.
- Saves Time and Money – Games are often cancelled or shortened due to the Mercy Rule, which helps teams save time and money.
Cons
- Takes Away from the Game – Some argue that the Mercy Rule takes away from the game and ruins the fun.
- Statistics are Not Recorded – Any runs scored in the 6th inning or beyond are not included in the teams’ scores or statistics.
Conclusion
The Mercy Rule is an important rule in MLB that is designed to maintain competitive balance and protect teams from suffering an embarrassing loss. The rule is not used often, but when it is, the score is recorded as it was at the end of the 5th inning and no statistics are recorded for the 6th inning or beyond. Reactions to the Mercy Rule have been mixed, with some arguing that it is necessary and others arguing that it takes away from the game.
References
- O’Neill, M. (2020). MLB Mercy Rule Explained. Retrieved from sbnation.com/mlb/2020/3/6/21167236/mlb-mercy-rule-explained
- MLB Advanced Media, L.P. (2020). MLB Rule 9.01(d). Retrieved from gdx.mlb.com/official_information/official_rules/official_rules9.jsp
- Khalfin, D. (2020). MLB’s Mercy Rule: How It Works and When It’s Used. Retrieved from sportscasting.com/mlbs-mercy-rule-how-it-works-and-when-its-used/