Last Updated on July 3, 2021 by
A baseball game in the major leagues lasts for about nine innings and that mostly takes three hours or a little over that. The minor leagues and collegiate baseball lasts for nine innings also. Although, these leagues take lesser time than the major leagues. The babe truth and high school baseball take seven innings, little league baseball has six innings, and Tee-ball has five innings. Baseball doesn’t have a time span like every other sport, baseball is measured by innings. One inning is complete when both teams have batted and pitched. The offense teams have to score a run by running around and hitting all bases and home runs. They are no longer in play when they lose 3 players. Unless a game is tied, it lasts nine innings.
How Long Does A Baseball Inning Take?

A baseball inning comprises six outs, three for each team. One inning is broken into two halves, the top half is when the away team bats, while in the bottom half, the home team bats. This rule of innings and battings remains the same in all leagues, except for Tee-ball. In Tee-ball leagues, they don’t count outs and every player gets to bat in every inning. Baseball games don’t have a definite period because of some things. For example, half inning might take must three pitches and three outs which makes it shorter than usual. The amount of time an inning takes depends on the number of at-bats, the pitcher’s accuracy, and the amount of pitching change. However, what we are trying to say here is, an inning could go on for as long if the fielding team cannot report three outs.
Major League Baseball(MLB) Games Lasts For How Long?
Several factors determine the number of innings and the exact length of the game. For example, if an MLB game is still tied after nine innings, they keep having extra innings until one team has more runs than the other in one extra inning. Sometimes, baseball umpires can try to speed things up if the game has gone on for too long. A game can end before 8.5 innings when the home team is taking the lead at the top half of the 9th inning. An MLB game can also end in five minutes if the weather is harsh. The exact time of a baseball game is different for different games, Some pitchers take time between pitches that increase the length of a game and also the length between innings. Also, base runners increase the time duration of a game because pitchers don’t too by increasing taking more time between pitches. Games that have many pitching changes or replays make more time because of the extended pauses.
Is The MLB Doing Anything To Reduce Game Time?
Yes, the MLB has implemented some rules that have helped reduce game time because of the arguments people are making about the amount of time spent on a baseball game.
In 2015, the MLB was able to put in place some rules that help shorten the time of the game. For example, there is now a specific amount of time spent between innings, timing for mound visits, and also time between hitters and the plate. In 2020, a runner has been put at second base when starting each half inning for extra-inning games, all these have been done to reduce the time of games and reduce the bullpens pitches.
How Long Does It Take For A Minor League Baseball Game?
Minor league baseball, other professional leagues like AAA, AA, and others follow the MLB inning rules. Although, the AAA, and AA have shortened their games by 12 minutes by putting a 20-second pitch clock. In the minor leagues, doubleheaders take 7 innings.
How Long Does It Take The Collegiate Leagues To Finish A Game?
Collegiate games last for as long as nine innings, just like every other league. Although, in the collegiate leagues, one or both games of a doubleheader might last for seven innings under some possibilities. There is also a mercy rule here that states that the game will end if a team is high up by 10 points in the seventh inning or fifth inning in a seven-inning game.
How Long Does it Take A High School Baseball Game To End?
A high school baseball game lasts traditionally for seven innings. If the weather becomes harsh, the game could end after four innings. For high school baseball fields without lights, the game can be paused and completed later. A mercy rule takes effect if a team is ahead by 10 in the fourth inning.
How Long Does A Youth Baseball Game Last?
The time intervals of a youth baseball game solely depend on the level of play.
Level Of Play | Age | Duration |
Tee-ball | 4-7 | They play on for five innings. |
Little leagues | 7-13 | Here they play for six innings. |
Babe Ruth League | 13-18 | Seven innings |
In The History Of Baseball, What Is The Highest Scoring Game?
This record was set by the Atlanta Braves after 29 runs against the Miami Marlins. This happened on the 29th of September 2020. Combining scores of both teams, the highest game for this was in 1922 when Chicago Clubs defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 26-23 which now added up to become 49.
What Is A Double Header?
A doubleheader is when two teams play two consecutive games on the same day, and in front of the same crowd. Also, the term means something unofficially; it is when two games are played by one team in front of different crowds and not consecutively.
Can A Game Go On Forever In Baseball?
Of course not! A game can’t go on forever with the newly implemented game rules. The highest inning played in baseball occurred in 1922, and the game lasted for 26 innings and ended in a tie.
Conclusion
As we have said before, there is no definite time as per minutes, hours, or even innings used to conclude the amount of time played in baseball. We’ve reached the end of this informative article. We hope that this article helped you find resources in your quest to know how long a baseball game lasts. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or comments. Thanks!