Let's settle this rookie eligibility once and for all

[bigwords]

I understand about "days of service" and "130 at bats" but I've seen differing reports on whether September service counts. Some say yes. Other's say, only time spent before September of the call-up year do. I've seen various passages of the MLB rulebook cited and sometimes, I'm lead to believe this is a subjective call by some shadowy figure, so not to prompt a flame war, but can anyone with a high degree of certainty or authority please settle this issue once and for all?

[hayseed]

i dont think it counts..

[bigwords]

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/offic ... ations.jsp

Determining rookie status:
A player shall be considered a rookie unless, during a previous season or seasons, he has (a) exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues; or (b) accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a Major League club or clubs <b>during the period of 25-player limit</b> (excluding time in the military service and time on the disabled list).


I suppose the "during the period of 25-player limit" is the confusing part. In September, the roster limit expands to 40 players, but perhaps this clause is only related to (b) and not (a).

Case study: Matt Kemp. He's got 122 at bats this season. He'll probably only reach 130 in September when roster limits expand to 40. BUT, if that clause only applies to (b) and not (a), then he'll lose rookie eligibility. If it applies to both (a) and (b), he'll keep his rookie status. I wonder who the arbiter is on this score. Any historical examples to settle the matter?

[daygan]

The way it looks to me is that it is the 45 days of service time before Sept. 1st, or it is 130 ab's or 50 ip's in the majors at any time. So, when Kemp gets called up Sept 1, if he gets 8 more at bats, then he will lost his rookie status for next season.

[winterball22]

Matt Kemp will lose rookie status, the rule clearly states A or B.
If a hitter gets 130 AB he's no longer a rookie. He could get 70 AB in August and 61 in September, he's no longer a rookie.