How many innings was the longest baseball game?
Baseball is one of the most beloved sports in the United States and is renowned for its long and interesting games. Many people wonder – how long can a baseball game actually last? The answer is – a very long time. The longest game on record was an astonishing 33 innings!
What happened in the Longest Baseball Game?
The game between the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Rochester Red Wings took place on April 18th, 1981 and began at 8:25 PM. It finally came to a close at 4:09 AM the next day – approximately 8 hours and 15 minutes later. The game began at the normal nine innings but at the end of the leadoff inning, the teams were tied at two-all. Neither team could break the tie until a full 33 innings had been played.
A total of 495 pitches were thrown during the game, and the teams used 34 total players in the match, 17 for each team. The winning team, the Pawtucket Red Sox, was able to break the tie in the bottom of the 33rd inning when Dave Koza hit a single and drove in the winning run.
Why is This the Longest Baseball Game?
The longest game in professional baseball history contains several important qualities that made it stand out as a record-setting event. These include:
- Length: The game lasted a full 8 hours and 15 minutes, 33 innings in total.
- Player Turnover: Both teams used a total of 34 players to get through the 33 innings.
- Pitches: There were a total of 495 pitches thrown over the course of the game.
The game was even filmed by a local TV station but unfortunately, the station was unable to air it due to the length of the game. In the end, this game has become a legendary piece of baseball history and is remembered as the longest professional game ever played.
