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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/base-nine-innings

How many innings is a regulation MLB game?

Nine innings, unless tied or shortened.

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  1. Seven
  2. Nine ✔
  3. Ten

Why: A regulation game is nine innings. It goes longer if the score is tied and can end early if the home team does not need its last turn at bat. Softball games are usually seven.

Huh, didn't know that: A game becomes official after five innings if it is stopped early, for example by rain.

The dad joke
Why do baseball games have nine innings? Because ten would be in-too-many.
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References

Answer: Nine. A regulation game is nine innings. It goes longer if the score is tied and can end early if the home team does not need its last turn at bat. Softball games are usually seven.

  1. Official Baseball Rules, 2026 Edition (MLB) mktg.mlbstatic.com/mlb/official-information/2026-official-baseball-rules.pdf
    A regulation game consists of nine innings, unless extended because of a tie score
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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