Party For Ripken Will Be By The Rules

This much is obvious: Cal Ripken is on track to replace Lou Gehrig as baseball’s all-time Iron Man on Sept. 6 in a game against the California Angels.

The question is: At what point in the contest does the Baltimore Orioles’ durable shortstop get credit for playing in his 2,131st consecutive game?

According to Rule 10.24 (c) of the Official Baseball Rule Book, Ripken will have officially extended his streak as soon as he “plays one half inning on defense, or if he completes a time at bat by reaching base or being put out.”

But the record won’t be official until after 4-1/2 innings if the home team is ahead; after five innings if the Orioles trail or the game is tied.

“We can’t do anything as far as a celebration until that time,” said Julie Wagner, director of community relations for the Orioles.

When the game becomes official, Ripken’s achievement will be recognized in the form of a tribute on the scoreboard. The big party, however, has to wait until after the game.

That’s when Ripken will grab a microphone and address the crowd at Camden Yards while his teammates and selected celebrities gather to honor him for eclipsing a record that once seemed unreachable.

“We want to have the fans stick around,” said Wagner, adding that Ripken would have no part in stopping the game for a prolonged celebration.

That doesn’t mean the sellout crowd will wait to honor their hometown hero. “We expect standing ovations all night long: when Cal takes the field, when he gets to bat, after the fifth inning,” Wagner said.

By design, the post-game ceremony will be quite refined.

“When we first sat down, we had to decide whether we wanted a traditional celebration or laser-lights and fireworks,” said Spiro Alafassos, event coordinator for the team. “We decided that it is the most revered accomplishment in sports, and the celebration should be treated as such.

“We also wanted it to fit Cal’s personality. Therefore, it will be a dignified, reverent celebration.”

The Orioles have also planned events for Sept. 5, when Ripken is set to tie Gehrig’s record. Ripken won’t speak to the crowd that day, but his record-tying accomplishment won’t go unrecognized.

“On that day, we will celebrate Lou Gehrig and Cal, two great players sharing an incredible record,” Alafassos said. “But the next night, we whoop it up. On the 6th, it’s Cal’s day.”