How Long Are Atlanta Braves Games?

Baseball may be thought of as one of the more complicated sports in America. However, the rules of the sport are generally quite simple and straightforward. Nonetheless, baseball, unlike other popular sports such as basketball, soccer, hockey, and football, has no set time limit.

This means that, theoretically, a baseball game could last as little as half an hour to as long as eight hours. However, generally, most baseball games start and end within a similar amount of time.

But if you are wondering just how long an Atlanta Braves game is, then you’ve come to the right spot. Below, we will take a look at how long an Atlanta Braves game is and what you can expect when you go to a Braves game at Truist Park.

Attending an Atlanta Braves game? Find out what to wear to Truist Park!

Things to do Around Truist Park

The Atlanta Braves play at Truist Park, which is located at 800 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA, 30339.  However, the area surrounding Truist Park is called The Battery.  The Battery is a mixed-use development site which has tons of restaurants, bars, and social activities.  In addition, there are residential and commercial spaces within The Battery for local citizens and companies.

If you’re visiting The Battery and plan to attend an Atlanta Braves game, here are some of the must-see, and must-try, items.  And while you may not be able to try all of these locations in one visit, we highly recommend visiting multiple times to really get a better taste of the local flavor.

• The Braves Clubhouse Store – if you’re a fan of the Atlanta Braves, then you’ll be sure to love The Braves Clubhouse Store.  Jampacked with official Atlanta Braves merchandise for men, women, and kids, this store has all the Braves merchandise and gear you can hope for.  From official hats, t-shirts, and uniforms to memorabilia commemorating the 2021 World Championship.
• Baseballism – if you’re looking for baseball gear and merchandise with a unique twist, then Baseballism is the perfect spot.  Located at The Battery, Baseballism features unique streetwear fashion that is sure to turn a few heads and garner looks of support.  A great store and one located close to the entrance to Truist Park.
• Antico Pizza –  perhaps one of the best spots for pizza in all of Atlanta, Antico’s Pizza serves fresh, authentic, mouthwatering pizza and pasta with a world-class interior design.  The food is affordable and will leave full and satisfied.
• H&F Burger –if you’re craving a real burger, one that is juicy, stacked with toppings, and perfectly cooked all around, then H&F Burger is the spot.  Almost too good to be true, H&F Burger’s hit the spot every time and are a perfect pre-game meal.
• Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream – dare we say the best ice cream in Atlanta?  Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream has been a staple in the Atlanta metropolitan area, attracting fans and devotees from states away.  With a plethora of ice cream flavors and the use of only real flavors and dyes, Jeni’s is the perfect postgame dessert for any Braves fan.

How Many Innings Are in a Baseball Game?

Unlike basketball, football, soccer, or hockey, which are governed by individual time limits by quarter, half, or periods, baseball is divided into innings. And, in order for an inning to be completed, there must be six total outs with each team being afforded three outs before the end of an inning half.

The completion of an inning is determined when six total outs have been completed against both teams combined.

However, there are a few different ways a team can accrue an out against the opposing team.

• A batter strikes out, wherein they attempt to hit the ball but are unable to, in three separate chances
• The batter flies out, wherein they strike the ball but it is caught before landing on the field
• The batter is tagged out, wherein they are touched by an opponent who has the ball in hand and while they are not safely standing on a base

In terms of innings played, it is dependent on the level of play and individual league to determine the total number of innings. However, below’s table, speaks to the general number of innings you can expect per baseball game.

League Level	Number of Innings	Average Time
MLB	9	3 hours
Minor League	9	3 hours
College Baseball Games	9 or 7	3 hours
High School Baseball Games	7	2 hours
Youth Baseball Games	5 or 6	1-1.5 hours

Why do Baseball Games Take So Long?

While there is no official time limit in a baseball or MLB game, the MLB has steps in recent years to shorten the overall length of their games. In addition, the MLB has instituted rules to quicken the pace of the game, including MLB Rule 8.04, which states:

“When the bases are unoccupied, the pitcher shall deliver the ball to the batter within 12 seconds after he receives the ball. Each time the pitcher delays the game by violating this rule, the umpire shall call ‘Ball.’ The 12-second timing starts when the pitcher is in possession of the ball and the batter is in the box, alert to the pitcher. The timing stops when the pitcher releases the ball. The intent of this rule is to avoid unnecessary delays. The umpire shall insist that the catcher return the ball promptly to the pitcher, and that the pitcher take his position on the rubber promptly. Obvious delay by the pitcher should instantly be penalized by the umpire.”

However, many umpires do not enforce this rule and allow pitchers to take as much time as they need between pitches.

Below, we’ve listed a few additional reasons why MLB games take so long.

• Time between pitches – perhaps the greatest reason why MLB games take so long is that pitchers take, on average, 40-seconds between pitches. And with 146 pitches thrown per game, these seconds can add up quickly

• Errors in baseball – when an error occurs, that is when a fielder misplays the ball, it adds more time to the one play and delays the completion of the game.

• Umpire reviews – similarly, the MLB utilizes instant replay reviews to allow for league officials to review certain types of plays in order to determine the accuracy of the initial call of the umpires on the field. These reviews take several minutes and take away from the time spent on the game.

• Pitcher warmups – in addition, when taking their position at the beginning of an inning or when relieving another pitcher, pitchers are permitted to throw as many warmup pitches as they want within the countdown parameters set forth by Major League Baseball.

• Commercials – similarly, the MLB and its network broadcasters have begun to implement more commercial breaks between innings. These commercial breaks add several minutes to the game between innings and lengthen the overall time that a game is played.

How Long Are Braves Games?

While baseball technically has no time limit, each team tends to play at their own pace and style. And for the Atlanta Braves, the average game length ranges from 2.5 hours to over 4 hours. However, looking at the average, most Braves games take just over 3-hours to complete.

In referencing the above mentioned average game length for the Atlanta Braves, and utilizing data for the 2021 MLB season, we can see that the average length of a Braves game was 3-hours 7-minutes and 51-seconds.