how many innings in baseball

In baseball, the number of innings can vary depending on the level of play and specific circumstances, but here are the general guidelines:

Professional and College Baseball

In Major League Baseball (MLB) and most college baseball games, a standard game consists of nine innings. Each inning is divided into two halves: the top half, where the visiting team bats and the home team fields, and the bottom half, where the roles are reversed. If the score is tied after nine innings, the game goes into extra innings until one team is ahead after an inning124.

High School Baseball

High school baseball games typically consist of seven innings, although this can vary by state and local rules. Some high school leagues may have different inning limits for regular season and playoff games234.

Variations and Exceptions

• Doubleheaders: In professional and college baseball, doubleheaders can sometimes be shortened to seven innings per game to manage player fatigue and ensure both games can be completed within a reasonable timeframe24.
• Mercy Rule: In some leagues, including international competitions and certain college and high school games, a game can be ended early if one team is ahead by 10 or more runs after a specified number of innings (often seven innings)234.
• Weather and Other Delays: Games can be shortened or postponed due to inclement weather or other delays. For example, a game can be considered official if it reaches the middle of the fifth inning (or the bottom of the fifth if the home team is leading) and cannot continue due to weather2.

In summary, while the standard for professional and college baseball is nine innings, there are variations and exceptions depending on the level of play and specific circumstances.