Softball games are regularly scheduled for seven innings at the high school and college level. There are reasons that the game may not be able to be completed. When the full seven innings can't be played, the rules may allow the game to be called an official game; on other occasions. the results will not count.
Official Game
A game that is scheduled for seven innings will be considered an official game once five full innings have been played. If the home team is leading, it does not have to bat in the bottom of the fifth inning for the game to be official. Once a game has reached five innings, all statistics earned by individual players will count even if the full seven innings are not played.
Shortened Game Decision
In most cases, games will be shortened as a result of weather interruptions. If the home team is leading and four-and-a-half innings or more have been played and umpires determine that the game can no longer be played safely, the game is over and the home team is credited with a win. If the visiting team is leading and five or more innings have been played, the visiting team gets the win and the game is considered over.
Cancelled Game
If less than five innings have been played and the home team does not have the lead, the game will be considered cancelled if weather conditions prevent the game from being completed. Statistics for individual players will not count in a cancelled game. The game will be rescheduled and played in its entirety.
Official Game -- No Decision
If weather or other conditions prevent a game that is tied from being completed after five innings have been played, the game will be picked up from the point that the game was stopped. For example, if rain stops a game that is tied after five full innings, the game will resume in the top of the sixth on the date that has been selected to resume the game. All official rules apply. A pitcher who has been removed from the game may not re-enter the game on the ensuing day of competition.
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