When does inning start / end?

[jazz10NE]

I'm pretty sure I saw this posted but a search on here I found nothing. Can someone point me to the rule that says the next inning starts at the time the 3rd out is made?

 

[cshilt]

In ASA it is part of Rule 1 - The Definitions.

INNING. An inning is that portion of a game within which the teams alternate on offense and defense and in which there are three outs for each team. A new inning begins immediately after the final out of the previous inning.​

It is also reiterated in Rule 5, Section 10, which covers the time limits.

 

[FPump]

Same for other rule codes.

 

[jazz10NE]

Thanks for the help - So I would be right in saying if the 3rd out is made in the bottom of the inning and time is still available the next inning must start - even if time expires before my pitcher throws a warm up pitch?

The last part is the true question - Does the pitcher have to throw a pitch in warm up before the timer beeps?

 

[cshilt]

Thanks for the help - So I would be right in saying if the 3rd out is made in the bottom of the inning and time is still available the next inning must start - even if time expires before my pitcher throws a warm up pitch?

The last part is the true question - Does the pitcher have to throw a pitch in warm up before the timer beeps?

By rule, no. Unless the game is being played under a drop-dead time limit.

 

[ctfastpitch]

By rule, no. Unless the game is being played under a drop-dead time limit.

Agree, if the final out of the bottom half of the inning is made before time expires, you play the next inning (again assuming no drop dead rule).

 

[BretMan]

The top of the first inning is the lone exception to the rule. It begins when the umpire announces, "Play!".

All the other half-innings begin the instant that the previous half-inning ends. For example, it is the bottom of the second inning. The third out is made. At that exact instant, we are now in the top of the third inning.