Applying ASA Mercy Rule

Question
QUESTION: My question has to do with applying the ASA mercy rule.  We were involved with a game utilizing the standard mercy rule (15 after 3, 12 after 4, 8 after 5).  The visiting team had a 10 run lead after four innings.  In the top of the fifth inning the visiting team scored three runs.  Is the game now over (since the visiting team has a lead of at least 12 runs and at least four innings have been completed), or is the home team allowed to have their at bat to complete the inning (with an opportunity to score enough runs to shrink the lead to less than eight)?

ANSWER: Hi Curt,

Complete innings must be played unless the home team scores the run ahead limit while at bat, it's just that simple.

So the answer to your question the home team must bat in the bottom of 5.

mark

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you, Mark.  Is there an ASA rule that you could cite to this effect?  The other coach was insisting that the game should end, and I was not able to find specific language to counter the argument.

Answer
Hi Curt,

The other coach doesn't know crap about this rule and it annoys me when they "insist" w/out ever having read the rulebook.

In fact before I give you the rule how does that make sense, the visitors get to bat 5 times and the home team only 4 times and the visitors win on a run ahead rule?

Plus it says 12 "after" 4, if you're not ahead by 12 after 4 complete innings we play a 5th inning.  If you're not ahead by 8 "after" 5 innings we play 6

5-9-b  complete innings must be played unless the home team scores the run ahead limit while at bat.  when the visiting team reaches the limit in the top 1/2 of the inning, the home team must have their opportunity to bat in the bottom 1/2 of the inning.

it's pretty clear to me
Mark