Softball matches can range from three to seven innings, depending on the tournament and the rules set by the coach. Generally, each inning lasts up to 3 outs per team or six outs. 

Softball Format and Rules:

• Each team bats until they record three outs. 
• After each team has recorded three outs, the teams switch, and the other team batts. 
• The game continues like this until both teams complete three innings or one seven-inning game.
• If the game ends in a tie at regulation play, extra innings will break the tie.
• Each team can bat, and it’s up to the coach to decide how many innings they want to play (e.g., three, five, or seven). 
• After a regulation game, the game ends when one team has scored more runs than the other. When both teams have completed the agreed-upon number of innings this game also ends. 
• The team with the most runs at the end of regulation play wins.

Time Requirements Depending on the Level of Play:

• High school softball matches typically last around 1.5 hours from start to finish. 
• College softball games may take up to 2 hours or more due to the additional innings often required in collegiate play. 
• Professional softball typically lasts about 2.5 hours due to the 7 innings required for a complete game and the extra time allotted for breaks. 
• International softball matches may last up to 3 hours or more. It depends on the number of innings and the need for extra innings due to a tie at the end of regulation play. 
• Tournaments may take longer since teams typically play multiple games in one day. Each game could last as long as an hour and a half, depending on the number of innings played.

These are time requirements or How Long is a Softball Game depends on the level of play. 

Differences between Slow Pitch and Fast Pitch Softball:

• Slow-pitch softball matches typically last longer than fastpitch games. It is due to the slower pitching speeds and less aggressive play. 
• Fastpitch games are shorter because of the faster pace and more aggressive gameplay. 
• In slow pitch, batters have more time to make their decisions when swinging at balls, resulting in a longer game. 
• Fastpitch requires quick decisions from batters, leading to more strikeouts and fewer base hits. As a result, the game is quicker. 
• Both types of softball have an equal number of innings (3 or 7). However, fastpitch games can end much sooner due to their faster pace.
• Each type of softball will also have different rules for the number of outs allowed and the time limits for each inning. 
• Slow-pitch games tend to be more relaxed, while fastpitch games are often high-pressure contests with greater urgency. 

Factors That Could Impact the Length of a Game:

The number of innings played: 

Three or seven-inning games will last different amounts of time. 

Weather conditions:

Rain delays, thunderstorms, and other weather conditions could lengthen the duration of a game. 

Time limits:

The tournament may impose time limits on each game, resulting in shorter matches. 

Quality of the teams:

If one team is far superior to the other, the game will likely end sooner. 

Number of runs scored: 

If a team is scoring more quickly than their opponent, they can win in fewer innings. 

Extra innings:

If the game is tied after regulation play, extra innings may be necessary. This can lengthen the duration of a match significantly. 

A number of errors:

More errors lead to more base runners, which could result in longer games. 

Level of competition: 

Professional games last longer than amateur matches due to the higher level of skill on display. 

A number of hits: 

More hits can lead to longer games as base runners advance around the bases. 

Quality of pitching:

If pitchers are throwing strikes and batters are swinging, the game will move faster than if there are a lot of foul balls or walks. 

Length of breaks: 

The time in between innings is usually short but could be extended if coaches or umpires decide to take a longer break. 

A number of substitutions: 

More substitutions require more time for players to enter and exit the game, resulting in a longer match. 

Quality of officiating: 

Poor officiating could lead to implications, which would lengthen the game significantly. 

Conclusion:

The length of a softball game can vary greatly, depending on the level of play and several other factors. High school games typically last around 1.5 hours, while professional games can take up to 2.5 hours or more. Tournament matches may last even longer due to the number of innings played and any extra innings needed to break ties at the end of regulation play.