When can the game start if the visiting team has only eight players present at game time?

The game cannot start until the visiting team has a full complement of players, which in high school baseball is nine players. This rule ensures that both teams are evenly matched in terms of player numbers, maintaining fairness throughout the game. Having only eight players on the visiting team puts them at a disadvantage, and even if they have a designated hitter, that does not compensate for the lack of a ninth player. Only when the visiting team has nine players present can the game officially commence.