Introduction to MLB Games
Major League Baseball (MLB) is the highest professional level of baseball in the United States and Canada. Every year, MLB teams compete in the regular season, playoffs and World Series to decide the ultimate champion. Baseball games are known for their long duration, with some games lasting up to four hours. So, how long does an MLB game have to go to be official?
MLB Game Length
MLB games typically last between two and three hours, but can sometimes last over four hours. The length of the game is determined by the number of innings played. An inning is a unit of play in which each team gets a chance to bat. The game is over when one team has more runs than the other after the ninth inning.
Innings Required for Official Game
In order for a game to be official, it must reach the end of the fifth inning. This means that the game must last at least three hours and 15 minutes, as each inning typically takes around 15 minutes. If the game is tied after the fifth inning, then it will continue until the end of the ninth inning or until one team has more runs than the other.
Rain Delay and Game Suspension
Rain delays and game suspensions can extend the length of an MLB game. If the game is stopped due to rain or other weather-related issues, the game will be resumed when the weather clears up. If the game cannot be resumed, it will be declared a tie.
Tiebreaker Rule
If the game is tied at the end of the ninth inning, then a tiebreaker rule will be used. This rule states that the game will continue until one team has scored more runs than the other. This rule is rarely used, as most games are decided by the end of the ninth inning.
Extra Innings
If the game is still tied after the ninth inning, then extra innings will be played. Extra innings are added until one team has scored more runs than the other. This could extend the game for several hours.
Minimum Innings for Official Game
The minimum number of innings for an official game is five. This means that the game must reach the end of the fifth inning in order for it to be considered official. This is true even if one team has a large lead after the fourth inning.
Postponed Games
Sometimes, games will be postponed due to weather, scheduling conflicts, or other reasons. When this happens, the game will be rescheduled for a later date. The game will then start at the beginning, with no innings or runs counted from the first attempt.
Cancelled Games
Sometimes, games will be cancelled due to weather, scheduling conflicts, or other reasons. When this happens, the game will not be rescheduled. All statistics from the game will be wiped and it will not count towards the standings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, an MLB game must reach the end of the fifth inning in order for it to be considered official. This means that the game must last at least three hours and fifteen minutes. If the game is tied after the fifth inning, then it will continue until the end of the ninth inning or until one team has more runs than the other. Rain delays and other factors can extend the length of a game, and extra innings may be needed to decide the winner.