An
inning in
baseball,
softball, and
similar games is the basic unit of play, consisting of two halves or
frames, the "top" (first half) and the "bottom" (second half). In each half, one team bats until three
outs are made, with the other team playing defense. A full game typically is scheduled for six, seven, or nine innings, although this may be shortened due to weather or extended in the event that the score is tied at the end of the scheduled innings.