There are many ways a team can forfeit a baseball game, most of which are outlined in rule 7.03(a) of the Major League Baseball rulebook. The chief umpire is responsible for making the final decision.
Rule 7.03(a) articulates that a game will be forfeited when:
1. A team does not begin within five minutes of the allocated start time, unless there are unpreventable circumstances.
2. A team specifically attempts to shorten the duration of a game or delay it. While subjective, it is at the discretion of the umpire.
3. For any reason, a team does not continue playing the game.
4. After a rain delay or any temporary stoppage of play, a team refuses to take the field within one minute of resuming.
5. A team purposefully violates any other written rules after an initial warningby an umpire.
6. A team fails to physically remove a player after his ejection from the game in a timely manner.
7. A team does not begin the second game of a doubleheader within 20 minutes of the first game’s conclusion. (hmmm...)
Rule 7.03( states that a team will forfeit a game if it does not ensure proper conditions of the field. This can pertain to covering up the infield with a tarp during a rain delay or cleaning
up trash or other items that fans may have thrown onto the field.
Rule 7.03© declares a forfeit for any team that is unable to put nine players onto the field during the game.
Rule 7.03(d) mandates that a report of the forfeiture is sent to the President of the MLB by the umpire-in-chief within a day of the game.