College baseball rules generally follow major league rules in regards to extra innings. If a game is tied after nine innings, the teams play on until a winner is decided. If the visiting team takes a lead in extra innings, the home team has an opportunity to hit in the bottom of the inning. But games may be cut short for a number of reasons, including conference travel curfews, weather conditions, darkness and player safety.
The 2009 NCAA Tournament Marathon
In the 2009 NCAA Tournament, the University of Texas and Boston College set an NCAA record by playing 25 innings. The game lasted 7 hours and 3 minutes long. Finally Texas prevailed 3-2, with the game ending at 1:05 a.m. local time. "I've never been a part of anything like this," Boston College coach Mik Aoki said. "In fact, nobody in college baseball has been part of anything like this."
Seven-inning Games
Although the NCAA strongly urges its programs to follow major league rules and play nine-inning games, some teams and conferences schedule seven-inning games for one or both ends of a doubleheader. This is how St. Joseph's College lost to Baruch 5-4 in "extra innings" on April 9, 2011 --- in a game that lasted nine innings.
Curfew/Travel Rules
Due to travel concerns, individual college conferences may establish curfews that limit the length of games. In the Atlantic Coast Conference, for instance, innings on Sunday games may not start later than 4:45 p.m. if the visiting team traveled to the game site via plane.
Tie Games
Due to travel constraints, bad weather, darkness and other extenuating circumstances, college games can end in a tie. For instance, King's College played Eastern University to a 1-1 tie in 15 innings on April 11, 2011. Umpires called the game became of darkness and league officials had to decide whether to resume the game at a later date.
References
- MLB.com; Texas Wins NCAA Record 25-inning Game; John Schlegel
- College Baseball Daily; ACC Recap for April 3; Brian Foley; April 2011
- St. Joseph's College Athletics; Bears Fall in Extra Innings, Drop Twin Bill to Baruch; April 2011
- Kings's College Athletics; Kings Baseball Battles to 1-1 Tie with Eastern after 15 Innings of Play; April 2011
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