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Baseball, a team sport played with a ball, bat and gloves, pits two teams of nine players against each other. They alternate the roles of attacker and defender on a field structured by four key bases.
The aim is to score more runs than the opponent, by hitting the pitcher’s ball and moving from one base to another without being stopped by the defense. Originating in the United States, where it is the national sport, baseball is also popular in Japan, Cuba, South Korea and Canada.
The sport’s rules, though complex and subject to variation between leagues and levels, dictate how games are played.
How many innings are there in a baseball game? What is their significance and specificity? This article invites you to explore these questions at the heart of baseball, the famous American sport.
What is an inning in baseball?
A baseball inning is a division of the game into segments, with nine innings making up a standard game. Each inning is divided into two half-innings, allowing each team to attack and defend.
The usual number of innings is nine, but this can vary according to league rules and specific situations.
Basic principles of baseball innings
A half-inning is complete when the defending team has retired three opposing batters. Players can be retired in various ways, for example on three strikes, by being hit by the ball while running between two bases, or by catching a ball before it hits the ground. After three outs, the roles are reversed: the attacking team becomes the defending team, and vice versa.
A complete inning is over when both teams have been on the offensive.
The importance of innings in the course of a match
The innings play a decisive role in the duration and outcome of a match. The aim is to score more points than your opponent by covering all four bases with a good shot. Points are scored at the end of each half-game.
The team with the most points at the end of the last inning wins. In the event of a tie after nine innings, the game continues with extra innings until one team emerges victorious.
The innings influence the strategy of the teams, who must adjust their approach according to points, time remaining and withdrawals made.
How many innings are there in a standard baseball game?
Let’s take a look at the usual structure of a baseball game and identify the standard number of innings, while taking into account possible exceptions and variations depending on the context of the competition.
Number of innings in a standard baseball game
A baseball game generally consists of nine innings. Each inning is divided into two half-innings: one in which the team attacks, the other in which it defends. This division does not depend on the length of the game, but on the number of players eliminated.
A half-end ends when three players from the attacking team have been eliminated, using the different methods already mentioned.
A full end ends when each team has had the opportunity to attack and defend.
The points scored are added up at the end of each half-end, and the team with the most points at the end of the ninth end wins the match.
The duration of a match can vary considerably, from two to over six hours, depending on the number of innings played and the pace of play.
Extra innings in the event of a tie
In the event of a tie at the end of the nine regulation innings, the match is extended by extra innings until one team wins.
Although they follow the usual format, some leagues have introduced specific rules to speed up play. For example, since 2020, MLB has introduced a runner automatically placed on second base at the start of each extra half-inning, a temporary measure linked to the pandemic.
In competitions such as the Olympic Games, a limited number of extra innings can be used to break a tie.
These variations demonstrate the flexibility of the rules to determine a fair winner.
Exceptions to competition rules
The usual number of innings may vary according to league, level of play and special circumstances. In some minor or amateur circles, matches may be limited to seven or even five innings, in order to lighten the physical load on players or reduce match duration.
Arrangements are also made for international tournaments, such as the Olympic Games, where the number of sets is sometimes capped to avoid interminable matches.
In other situations, the number of sets may be increased to break the tie. Specific rules can also influence the number of sets, as in the case where a match is shortened if the home team is leading and the second half of the ninth set need not be played.
Clemency rules can also be applied to end a match prematurely if the difference in points becomes too great.
Influence of playing conditions on the number of innings in baseball
Weather, lighting and field conditions can influence the length of a game. Here are a few examples:
Difficult weather conditions (rain, snow, fog) can lead to the interruption or cancellation of a game. If the match is interrupted before the end of the fifth end (or the fourth half for the leading team), it must be replayed. After that, the match is considered over and the score at the time of interruption is validated.
Faulty lighting in the evening can have the same consequences, according to the same rules as for weather conditions.
A pitch deemed dangerous or in poor condition can also lead to the match being interrupted or cancelled, according to the same principles.
Historical records and anecdotes
Baseball is full of fascinating stories, especially when it comes to the number of innings played. Here are a few examples that have left their mark on the sport:
- In 1984, a legendary game between the Pawtucket Red Sox and the minor-league Rochester Red Wings lasted 33 innings and three days, from April 18 to 21, with Pawtucket winning 3-2.
- The MLB record dates back to 1920, when a duel between the Brooklyn Robins and Boston Braves ended in a 1-1 draw after 26 innings, an unprecedented scenario linked to darkness.
- In 1890, a match between the Louisville Colonels and the Brooklyn Bridegrooms ended in just six innings, with Louisville winning 1-0, after the Brooklyn Bridegrooms withdrew following a disagreement with an umpire’s decision.
Through this article, you explored the notion of innings in baseball: their meaning, their number in a typical game, as well as their particularities and nuances.
It was emphasized that innings structure the game in several segments, that their number can vary according to leagues and circumstances, and that they are likely to be affected by playing conditions.
Finally, we presented some historical documents and anecdotes concerning innings in baseball.
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