Baseball brain teaser: What is the max amount of hits a team can get in one inning without scoring?

Question

My buddies and I discuss this at length whenever we dring too much beer. It's more complicated than it looks.

...Or we drink too much beer.

We always get 6 as well, but we keep trying to find a way to make 7.

Answer 1

6.

Here's one way it could happen. First batter gets a single then gets thrown out trying to steal second. Second batter gets a single then gets thrown out trying to steal second. The next three batters all get singles to load the bases. So far we have 5 hits, no runs, 2 out. The 6th batter hits a ground ball which hits the runner on 3rd base in fair territory. The runner is ruled out, no run scores but the batter is credited with a base hit - the 6th and final hit of the inning.

Answer 2

6

Answer 3

Technically, you can be credited with six hits in an inning and not score a run. 1) Hit, pick off. (0 on, 1 out) 2) Hit, pick off (0 on, 2 out) 3) single (1 on, 2 out) 4) single (2 on, 2 out) 5) single (3 on, 2 out) 6) Batted ball strikes the runner and the official scorer determinges that the ball would have been a hit but for the ball hitting the runner. (Batter gets credit for a hit, runner is out.) Thus, technically speaking, a team can have 54 hit (9 innings * 6 hits) and not score a run. Never going to happen, though.

Answer 4

5

Answer 5

5 in 1/2 of an inning.

Answer 6

Is it three? Technically if a person on base gets out but you are safe to first when you hit the ball, it is not a hit. It is a Fielder's Choice or a hitting error.

Even if they did count as hits there would be five, not six. That is because the sixth hit would not count since the third out is made.

Answer 7

The answer is six.

It was six a few days ago, it was six last week, it was six about a month ago, and it's been six since the "ball hits baserunner" rule was enacted, which was quite some time ago.

Three outs, three men left on base -- that's the maximum amount of batters in any one non-scoring half-inning. There's no legal way around it.

Six hits, and I'm tired of explaining it so here, now, I won't.

Answer 8

The person who said 6 must be correct

Answer 9

6.

Three singles to load the bases.

Ground ball hits runner. One out, single for batter.
Ground ball hits runner. Two outs, single for batter.
Ground ball hits runner. Third out, single for batter.

Answer 10

well you might be drinking to much beer .. i believe the answer is unlimited hits depends on how many foul balls that they hit.