How Many Innings Was the Longest Baseball Game?

By Sarah Miller · September 27, 2036

The longest baseball game in history lasted 33 innings, played between the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Rochester Red Wings, a Triple-A minor league game that spanned from April 18 to June 23, 1981. This marathon contest holds the official record for the most innings ever played in a single game.

Understanding the Longest Baseball Game in History

The longest professional baseball game by innings took place in the International League, a Triple-A minor league, between the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Rochester Red Wings. The game began on April 18, 1981, and wasn't completed until June 23 of the same year due to player fatigue and league regulations.

Key Facts About the 33-Inning Marathon

The game lasted over 8 hours and 6 minutes of actual playtime.
It was suspended after 32 innings on April 19 and resumed on June 23.
The final inning (33rd) was completed in just 17 minutes.
A total of 39 players participated, including 14 pitchers.
Cal Ripken Jr. played first base for Rochester and went 0-for-13 at the plate.

Why Did the Game Last So Long?

Several factors contributed to the extraordinary length of this game:

No time limits: Minor league games do not have time or inning caps.
Tie game persistence: Both teams refused to concede, and no team could break the deadlock.
Player endurance: Rosters were stretched as substitutes were used liberally.
Weather and scheduling: Cold weather and curfews forced suspension after the 32nd inning.

Comparison With Other Long Games

While the 33-inning game is the longest by innings, other notable long games exist in terms of time duration or significance.

Game	Date(s)	Innings	Duration	Teams	League
Longest Game by Innings	Apr 18–Jun 23, 1981	33	8:25	Pawtucket vs. Rochester	International League (AAA)
Longest MLB Game by Time	May 8–9, 1984	25	8:15	White Sox vs. Brewers	Major League Baseball
Longest College Game	May 30–31, 2009	25	7:03	Texas vs. Boston College	NCAA Division I
Longest High School Game	May 24–27, 2013	25	7:05	East Central vs. Grand Ledge	Michigan HS League

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The data shows that while Major League Baseball's longest game reached 25 innings, it was still shorter than the 33-inning minor league record. Notably, multiple levels of baseball—college, high school, and professional—have seen 25-inning contests, indicating a practical limit due to player safety and scheduling constraints. The 33-inning game remains a unique outlier in baseball history.

Rules That Allow for Extended Play

Unlike many sports, baseball does not impose a time limit. The structure of the game ensures that each inning continues until three outs are recorded per half-inning. Key rules include:

Extra innings rule: If the score is tied after nine innings, the game continues until one team leads at the end of a completed inning.
No pitch clock (in 1981): The absence of pace-of-play rules allowed longer at-bats and delays.
Minor league flexibility: Unlike MLB, minor leagues often allow games to extend without intervention.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Longest Baseball Game

How many innings was the longest baseball game ever played?

The longest baseball game in history was 33 innings long, played between the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Rochester Red Wings in 1981.

Did any Major League Baseball game go past 20 innings?

Yes, several MLB games have exceeded 20 innings. The longest MLB game by innings was 25 innings, played between the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers on May 8–9, 1984.

How long did the 33-inning baseball game last in total time?

The full 33-inning game lasted 8 hours and 25 minutes of playing time, spread across two dates due to suspension after the 32nd inning.

Who won the longest baseball game in history?

The Pawtucket Red Sox won the 33-inning game when pitcher Dave Huppert drove in the winning run in the bottom of the 33rd inning.

Has any modern baseball game come close to breaking the 33-inning record?

No modern game has approached 33 innings. Recent pace-of-play initiatives, including the extra-innings runner rule and pitch clocks, make such an extreme length highly unlikely today.