How many innings in a baseball seems like a simple answer until you consider there are many levels of baseball and organizations with different rules. There are 9 innings in a professional, semi-professional or college baseball game. There are 7 innings in a high baseball game and most often youth baseball games for 13 and older kids. Kids that are 12 and under generally play 6 innings.
Below is a breakdown by level.
Innings in Baseball by Level
- MLB Baseball – 9 innings
- Minor League Baseball – 9 innings
- Olympic Baseball – 9 innings
- International Baseball – 9 innings
- College/NCAA Baseball – 7 innings
- High School Baseball – 7 innings
- Little League Baseball – 6 innings
- Little League Baseball 13u & Older – 7 innings
- Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth Baseball – 6 innings
- Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth Baseball 13u & Older – 7 innings
- Pony Baseball – 6 innings
- Pony Baseball 13u & Older – 7 innings
- Travel Baseball – 6 innings
- Travel Baseball 13u & Older – 7 innings
| Baseball Level | # of Innings |
| Major League | 9 |
| Minor League | 9 |
| Olympic/International | 9 |
| College/NCAA | 7 |
| High School | 7 |
| Little League | 6 |
| Little League Baseball 13u & Older | 7 |
| Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth Baseball | 6 |
| Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth Baseball 13u & Older | 7 |
| Pony Baseball | 6 |
| Pony Baseball 13u & Older | 7 |
| Travel Baseball | 6 |
| Travel Baseball 13u & Older | 7 |
The Tee-Ball level plays less than 6 innings. Typical Tee-Ball play 2 to 3 innings or a 1 hour in length time limit.
The one thing that is consistent is all levels have 6 outs per inning or 3 outs per inning for each team.
Are There Time Limits in Baseball?
At the MLB and college level there is no time limit, yet. The minor leagues are testing time limits. High Schools generally do not have time limits but it varies by state and governing body. Youth sports leagues and tournaments generally have time limits. The lower the level the lower the time and as kids get older and their attention span increases the time limits are increased. Tournament games may have shorter time limits in order to keep on schedule.
What are Sunset Rules?
Not all baseball fields have lights therefore Sunset Rules must be implemented. Any game in progress at the day’s sunset time must be called. When exactly time is called and whether those games are recorded as ties or must be continued at a later date is determined by each governing body.
What is the California Tie-Breaker?
If a game is tied after all innings have been completed (or after the time limit), the “California Tie-Breaker” rule will go into effect (Bases loaded 1 out). Each team places the last out from the previous inning as the runner on second and plays out a full inning. This happens until the tie is broken and the game is complete. Some leagues and tournaments have different variations of a California tie-breaker but this is the most common one used.
How Many Outs in a 9 inning Baseball Game?
There are 52 outs in a baseball game assuming all 9 innings are played. If the home team is winning the game after the visiting team records their 27th out, then there will only 49 outs in a game. If there are extra innings than many more outs may be recorded.
Breakdown of Outs in a 9 inning Game
- 52 total outs
- 27 total outs per team
- 6 total outs per inning
- 3 outs per team, per inning
- Games are official after 27 outs, if the home team is leading, otherwise 30 outs
How Many Innings in MLB is Considered an Official Game?
A game is considered a regulation game — also known as an “official game” — once the visiting team has made 15 outs (five innings) and the home team is leading, or once the home team has made 15 outs regardless of score.
What Are “Extra Innings” in Baseball?
“Extra innings” refers to the innings that are played after the regulation innings. These extra innings are occur in the result of a tie game at the end of regulation.
What is the Longest MLB Game Ever?
The Dodgers and Braves played 26 innings in 1920 until it was called a tie due to darkness.
