This is a super in-depth guide that will discuss how long a softball game lasts. Lately, I have been indulging myself in softball games with some of my friends. And I have been learning the rules that govern the sport alongside how to be a better player.
Playing softball has been an amazing experience, and knowing about the benefits of playing the game makes a whole lot of sense to my body. Any day, softball is going to be among my top three sports, if you ask me.
However, there’s an important aspect of the game that this post will talk about ” Softball game length “, and if you are in high school, college, or just learning about the sport, then this post is definitely for you.
And in this post, you will learn;
- How long does a 7-inning softball game last
- How long are little league softball games
- How long is a beer league softball game
- How long is a double header softball game
- How long is the NCAA softball game
- How long is a high school softball game
- How long is a 12U softball game
And lots more…… Grab some juice and be ready to learn about softball game length.
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How Long Is A Softball Game
Softball game length depends on the types of softball ( slow pitch and fast pitch softball), league, and rules. But a typical softball game lasts about 3 to 7 innings or 1 – 3 hours.
According to the game rule, a full 7 innings need not be played If the team’s second at-bat scores more run in 6 innings or before the third out in the last of the 7th inning.
And at the end of 7 innings, if the score is level, the umpire will add more innings until one side scores more runs than the other at the end of an inning or until the second at-bat scores a run in their half of the inning before the third out is made.
In addition, The umpire could call a game if feels there’s a need to call a game because of the player’s safety in bad weather conditions like darkness, rain, or fire. So, factors like those mentioned above could reduce game length.
Furthermore, at the end of 5 or more innings when the game is called, if the score is level or maybe a team second at bat equals the score of the first team at the hat in the incomplete inning, then the umpire will call a regulation tie game.
How Long Does A 7-Inning Softball Game Last
A professional 7-inning softball game lasts 1 hr to 2 hr. In a tournament or championship game where a winner will emerge, if the score is tied, the umpire will add additional innings until the team broke the tie.
In addition, the umpire may call the game if one team is ahead while the other team has completed half of their 7th inning.
How Long Are Little League Softball Games
Little league softball or major division game length consists of six innings which could last for 1 hr 20 minutes. And in some situations where there’s bad weather, the umpire may decide to call the game before the completion of the six innings.
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However, a game will be considered an official game if the umpire calls the game before the completion of six innings. Also, the game could be considered a suspended game if four innings or at least one inning have been completed.
In addition, if it’s a tournament game that required a winner, then the umpire will add extra innings until a winner emerges. And additional extra innings will prolong the length of the game.
How Long Is A Beer League Softball Game
The length of a beer league softball game consists of a maximum of seven innings, and no innings will be started after 50 minutes of playing time has elapsed. However, an inning must be completed if it has started.
Also, once the third out of the previous innings is made, the innings will be considered started. According to the rule, if a team is leading by 15 + runs after three innings have been completed or leading by 10 + runs after five innings have been completed, the umpire will declare the team as the winner.
In addition, some factors could affect a game like heavy rain. In a situation where it rains in the middle of the 6t innings, the umpire will consider the game to be official after four innings have been completed.
How Long Is A Double Header Softball Game
Double header softball games usually consist of nine innings of doubleheaders which could last for 1 – 3hrs. And in college and minor league, the length of the game is seven-inning doubleheaders instead of nine-inning doubleheaders.
According to statistical impact, some feats could be achieved in a seven-inning game without extra time.
For instance, when a team applies for a shutout credit in a game, the game will be counted as is, however, when the game lasts for at least nine innings, then no hit will be counted.
According to history, a pitcher named Trevor Bauer once achieved this feat in a game after completing a seven-inning shutout.
How Long Is The NCAA Softball Game
A regular NCAA softball game length is seven innings and plays a maximum of 10 innings. The National College Athletic Association ( NCAA ) is a nonprofit organization that regulates student sports in Canada and the U.S.
However, in National College Athletic Association tournaments, the length of the game is seven innings, and it could be extended and shortened.
If the game is tied or if the home team is at bat when after the completion of seven innings, the plate umpire will declare a regulation tie game.
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Also, if the home team has completed the number of runs as the visiting team in the incomplete inning, it will be considered a regulation tie game. While the length of the game could be shortened in poor weather or if a team is ahead in half of the seventh inning.
How Long Is A High School Softball Game
At high school, the length of softball games is scheduled for seven innings which are going to be played for at least 1 hour to 45 minutes maximum. According to the rule of the game, no extra inning will be added after the 1 to 2-hour time limit.
However, some mercy rules guide the length of softball games in a high school;
- After three innings, a game could end anytime if one team records 20 or more runs behind the other after he has completed its turn at bat.
- Games could end if a team recorded 15 or more runs behind and completed Its turn at bat after four innings.
- The referee will call the game if a team records 10 or more runs behind his opponent after five innings have been completed.
In addition, if the 1 hour to 2 hours has expired, and the score is tied, the umpire will consider the game as a regulation tie game.
How Long Is A Youth Softball Game
The length of a youth softball game and innings varies by age group. For players that belong to the 7 – 8 age group, their game consists of five innings, and the length of the game is 1-hour maximum.
During the game, the umpire could call the game if there are poor weather circumstances, and a game could be completed if a team is ahead of the other after the completion of 3 innings.
How Long Is A 12U Softball Game
The length of a regular 12U softball game usually lasts a maximum of 1 hour and 45 minutes and will consist of six innings. And after the completion of the time limit (1 hour 45 minutes), a new inning will not be added.
However, if the games are tied at the end of 6 innings and there is time left, games may continue to the time limit to determine a winner. If the time limit is reached and the game is still tied, the umpire will consider the game as a regulation tie.
Final Thoughts
Some factors determine the length of a softball game though a professional softball game length usually lasts for 1 hour and a maximum of 3 hours.
The length of the game is determined by the number of innings, and innings are determined by the type of softball game, league, and age group.
A regular softball game consists of 7 innings which will last for 1 hour and 45 minutes. In addition, the minimum number of innings in a game is 5, and this belongs to the 7 – 8 age group.
However, the length of a game that consists of 5 innings will last for 1 hour. Furthermore, in a tournament, some games that require a winner may be extended or shortened which affects how long a softball game lasts.
As a softball player, you must understand and keep to the length of the game to avoid burnout.
