Introduction

College baseball is a popular sport in the United States, with many universities and colleges fielding teams. Like any other sport, college baseball has its own set of rules and regulations that govern how the game is played. One of the most important aspects of the game is the number of innings played. In this article, we will explore how many innings are played in college baseball and how it differs from other levels of play.

Number of Innings in College Baseball

College baseball games are typically played over nine innings, just like professional baseball. Each inning consists of two halves, with the visiting team batting first and the home team batting second. The team with the most runs at the end of the game is declared the winner.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. In the case of a tie game, extra innings may be played until a winner is determined. Additionally, some college baseball leagues may have different rules regarding the number of innings played. For example, the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) allows for seven innings in doubleheaders, while the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) allows for nine innings in both single and doubleheader games.

Differences from Other Levels of Play

While college baseball games are typically played over nine innings, this is not the case for all levels of play. For example, high school baseball games are typically played over seven innings, while Little League games are played over six innings. Professional baseball games are also played over nine innings, but there are some differences in the rules and regulations that govern the game.

One major difference between college baseball and professional baseball is the use of the designated hitter (DH). In college baseball, the DH is not allowed, meaning that pitchers must also bat. In professional baseball, the DH is allowed in the American League, but not in the National League.

Another difference is the use of aluminum bats in college baseball. While professional baseball players use wooden bats, college players use aluminum bats, which are lighter and allow for greater hitting power. This can lead to higher-scoring games and more home runs.

Conclusion

College baseball is a popular sport in the United States, with many universities and colleges fielding teams. The number of innings played in college baseball is typically nine, with some exceptions for tie games and different leagues. College baseball differs from other levels of play in several ways, including the use of the DH and aluminum bats. Understanding these differences can help fans appreciate the game and its unique characteristics.