It is normal for baseball fans to make time to watch their favorite teams play. However, sometimes the games do not always happen when scheduled. This is especially disappointing if you have tickets or if you have a close matchup occurring in fantasy baseball. But some fans go to check the score and the stats for a game, only to find the phrase “PPD” show up. What is PPD in baseball?
In baseball, “PPD” is an abbreviation for “postponed”. PPD means that a baseball game will not be played as scheduled, but it will be played at a later date and time. Typically, the rescheduled date is communicated immediately after the postponement, but this is not always the case.
There are several reasons a baseball game is postponed, and the most common ones are listed below.
Article Contents
Reasons a Baseball Game is Postponed
Below are some of the most common factors that can lead to the postponement of a baseball game.
Bad Weather
There are about 162 games during the baseball season, which take place from spring through autumn. Rain (and sometimes snow!) are expected during any part of the season (especially in April and May), resulting in postponements.
The baseball game cannot go on during the rainout for several reasons:
- There is a high chance of players getting injured because of the slippery grass and muddy ground.
- The baseball can become slippery, making it hard to grip. Additionally, it can become heavy due to water saturation making it even harder to play.
- Heavy rains can destroy an infield causing the ground to be soggy and filled with puddles. That is why infields are usually covered with a large plastic tarp when it rains.
- Rain causes the baseball bat to become slippery, affecting a player’s performance.
- Rain comes with strong winds, dark clouds, and sometimes lightning, which can disrupt the game. The strong winds can affect a ball in motion and make players lose concentration. Dark clouds can affect sight because there is little light, and lightning can harm players or spectators during the game.
COVID-19
The Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox game was postponed on May 11, 2022, because some players and staff members tested positive for COVID-19.
Since 2020, the pandemic has caused many baseball games to be postponed. Sometimes it is because people have tested positive for the virus, and other times it is due to safety precautions.
When a player tests positive for COVID, the team’s first step to control the virus is contact tracing. Contact tracing helps identify how many players were in contact with the infected person and if they may have the disease.
Usually, the whole team gets tested, and the sick players must self-isolate for two weeks before rejoining the team. While it is easy to replace one player, it is not the case when half the team is sick.
In such a situation, the game might be postponed for a while so every player has the chance to recover. However, if a team still has the minimum number of players required for a game, the game will be rescheduled as soon as possible.
Bonus: Unusual (But True) Reasons for Delaying a Baseball Game
Postponing an MLB baseball game is not taken lightly. There are 162 games in a regular season and it’s tough to fit in a lot of rescheduled games.
We’ve already covered the “normal” reasons to cancel a baseball game, so we decided to have a little fun and list some of the most bizarre reasons for canceling (and delaying) a baseball game:
- Earthquakes
- Hurricanes
- Extreme cold (hello, Colorado!)
- Excessive heat
- Wildfires
- Protesting social issues
- Sheep delays game
- Pitcher locked in the bathroom
When Can a Baseball Game be Postponed?
A baseball game can be postponed before the gates open or while the game is ongoing.
As you know, the weather is unpredictable, and sometimes the rain can start just before the game leading to a PPD. In such situations, the game is usually moved to the next day as part of a doubleheader.
It gets more complicated when a game is postponed when it is ongoing because there are several scenarios in play.
If the game is “called” after the top of the fifth (but before the bottom of the fifth):
- If the home team is ahead, the game is complete, and the home team is declared the winner.
- If the away team is ahead, the game cannot be declared official and is rescheduled for a later date. The game is not resumed but started over.
If the game is “called” any time after completion of the bottom of the fifth:
- If it is a tie game, the game is “suspended” (SSPD) and will be picked up (resumed) in the same inning on a later date.
- If an inning has not been completed and the away team has taken the lead, the game is “suspended” (SSPD) and will be picked up (resumed) in the same inning on a later date.
- If an inning has been completed and either team is ahead, the game is complete, and the leading team is the winner.
*Note that these rules can vary slightly, depending on the league and in the postseason.
What Happens to my Ticket When a Baseball Game is Postponed?
Some fans enjoy watching their favorite teams play live on the field, so they buy a ticket to the game. However, when you see the dreaded PPD acronym against the game, you start to panic.
Is your ticket still valid? Will you get a refund? What happens next?!
We have established that a game can be postponed for several reasons. In most cases, the game is rescheduled and fans are allowed to enter the ballpark on the rescheduled date. This is often referred to as a “rain check” in baseball.
For example, if the game was postponed because of the rain, you can still use your ticket to watch the game on the rescheduled date.
If the game is postponed indefinitely, the team might allow you to swap the ticket and use it to watch another game within the same season. However, you cannot swap a ticket to watch the playoffs or other special games during the season.
In cases where the game is postponed and the season ends before they get a chance to reschedule it, you will be reimbursed. It is usually a full refund meaning the money will equal the value of your ticket.
