Rules and how the game works
How baseball works: innings, outs, game length, replay, the dropped third strike rule and other rules that confuse new fans and players.
Is There Instant Replay in MLB?
Yes. MLB managers can challenge most calls on the bases, and since 2026 players can challenge balls and strikes with the ABS system. Here's how replay works.
How Many Outs Are in an Inning?
There are six outs in a full inning of baseball, three for each team. Each half-inning ends after three outs. Here's how it works, plus the rare exceptions.
How Long Is a Baseball Game?
An MLB game averages about 2 hours 40 minutes since the pitch clock arrived in 2023. Here's how long games last at every level, and what makes them run long.
What Are the Unwritten Rules of Baseball?
Baseball's unwritten rules are informal codes of etiquette, like not bunting to break up a no-hitter. Here are the main ones and how they've changed.
Famous Examples of Cheating in Baseball
From the 1919 Black Sox to the Astros' sign stealing, here are the most famous examples of cheating in baseball and how MLB punished them.
Can a Pitcher Throw to an Unoccupied Base?
From the rubber, a pitcher can throw to an unoccupied base only to make a play on a runner. Otherwise it's a balk. Here's the rule, with examples.
How to Read a Baseball Scoreboard
A baseball scoreboard shows runs by inning, total runs, hits and errors (R H E), and the count of balls, strikes and outs. Here's how to read every part.
The Dropped Third Strike Rule Explained
On a dropped third strike, the batter can run to first if first base is open or there are two outs. Here's how the rule works and how it's scored.
Types of Outs in Baseball
Strikeouts, groundouts, fly outs, force outs, tag outs, double plays and more. Here's every common way to make an out in baseball, with scorebook notation.
How Does Baseball Work? A Beginner's Guide
Baseball is played by two teams of nine taking turns batting and fielding over nine innings. The basic rules, positions and scoring, explained simply.
