Just what is a perfect game in baseball? How about softball?
Howdy friends and welcome back!
I hope you all have had a great off season.
While I enjoyed the football season and am currently awaiting the basketball and hockey playoffs, nothing compares to the feeling of a new baseball season!
Spring is in the air my friends and Opening Day is right around the corner.
In today’s post we will be talking about one of the rarest feats a team can achieve… The perfect game.
So without further ado, let’s dig right in.
What Is A Perfect Game In Baseball?
A perfect game in baseball and softball occurs when a team is able to record all 27 outs without allowing any hits, runs or committing any errors.
A perfect game will also require the pitcher, or combination of pitchers, to pitch a complete game without giving up a single walk.
Note: The amount of outs required to achieve a perfect game in softball varies by league as some leagues play a different amount of innings.
One factor that many leave out when explaining a perfect game, is the role of the umpires.
Even they must be perfect. One bad call can ruin a perfect game.
Basically a perfect game is just that… Perfect. Every person on the field must be perfect through the entire game.
Since you’re already here, keep on reading and we will do a little perfect game Q & A.
Perfect Game Questions & Answers
Q: How many perfect games have there been in Major League Baseball history?
A: In MLB history, there have only been 23 perfect games.
The most recent pitcher to record a perfect game was Felix Hernandez of Seattle, AKA King Felix, who accomplished the feat back on August 15 – 2012 in a 1-0 shutout of Tampa Bay.
The first pitcher to accomplish a perfect game was Lee Richmond of Worcester on June 12th – 1880 in a 1-0 shutout of Cleveland.
Q: Can a MLB team use more than 1 pitcher to accomplish a perfect game?
A: According to the current definition of a perfect game, yes.
Although there have been 11 instances in MLB history where a team used more than 1 pitcher to complete a no – hitter, as of the writing of this post no team has used more than 1 pitcher to complete a perfect game.
All 23 perfect games were completed by the same pitcher who started the game.
Q: Can a perfect game consist of more than 27 outs?
A: While many refer to the saying “27 up & 27 down” when describing a perfect game, in reality a perfect game could last as many innings as a pitcher, or combination of pitchers, could continue to pitch a perfect game and record a win.
As of now, no perfect game has ever lasted longer than 9 innings, although there have been several perfect games taken into extra innings and later lost.
In 1959 a pitcher by the name of Harvey Haddix pitched a perfect game through 12 innings against the Brewers, but ended up losing the game in the 13th due to an error!
Q: Can you pitch a perfect game and still lose?
A: No you cannot pitch a perfect game and still lose.
According to the current definition, a perfect game consists of a pitcher, or combination of pitchers, who record a victory in a game that goes a minimum of 9 innings without allowing any opposing player to reach base.
What Is A Perfect Game In Baseball?: Wrap It Up!
While a perfect game in baseball is not quite as rare as say an unassisted triple play, it is the most rare feat that can be accomplished by a team as a whole.
Every player must execute each play flawlessly and every umpire on the field must get every call right.
While a perfect game starts with and is rewarded to the pitcher, it takes an incredible team effort to accomplish a perfect game.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and that I answered the question, what is a perfect game in baseball?
If you have any other questions about this post or anything else, please leave a comment below and I will get back with you right away.
You can also Visit Our Tips & Advice Page where you will find tons of articles discussing the rules of the game.
For the basics Check Out Simple Baseball Rules
Thanks for stopping by ~Jeremy
