Playing a complete MLB game as the pitcher...?

Question

what is the MINIMUM number of pitches you could throw? (Assume you play nine innings) don't jump to any conclusions before answering

Hey Yankees and Sharon, MINIMUM not Maximum... doesn't anyone ever read the full question? Like I could have sworn I said 9 innings... Yep I did!

Answer 1

Technically, one could do this with throwing zero pitches.

Any illegal move by the pitcher that would be called a balk if there were runners on base, is counted as one ball to the batter's count if the bases are empty.

So -- make a balk-type move. Repeat three times. Batter walks. Pick off runner. Repeat 26 more times.

One wonders if the umpires or manager would put up with this sort of nonsense for very long.

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Kris, the home team has to pitch nine innings. The visitors can get a CG with only eight (and an L for their trouble).

I agree the pitcher would get tossed -- but pulled? He would be throwing (? maybe not the right verb -- producing?) a perfect game. An extremely weird one, but perfect nonetheless, and obviously he wouldn't yet be approaching his pitch count limit.

Answer 2

For a full 9-inning game, a pitcher could throw 25 pitches - i.e., 8 innings and 24 outs, each on one pitch, and one batter hitting a home run for the winning run. If the pitcher was with the visiting team and his team didn't score at all, he wouldn't have to pitch the bottom of the 9th and would have thrown a complete-game loss.

Answer 3

25 pitches. Eight innings of one strike outs and a home run on the first pitch in the ninth inning. You lose 1 - 0 with a complete game.

Answer 4

27

Answer 5

24 pitches.

You're the home team, meaning you only need to pitch 8 innings to record a complete game (if you're team in ahead after the first half of the 9th.)

8 innings X 3 pitches per(first pitch hit for an out every batter) = 24 pitches

If you're not the home team, then it would be 27 (9 innings X 3 pitches per.)



p.s. Chip, the pitcher would be thrown out of the game long before the 9th.




EDIT: Ooops, I made a typo, meant to say the visiting team only has to pitch 8. And vice versa.

Chip, by thrown out I meant by the umpire.
.

Answer 6

well nine innings, three batters per inning, three pitchers per batter, which would be 27 pitches
which is very very very very VERY unlikely

Answer 7

27 if everyone hits the first pitch. 81 if you strike everyone out.

Hope this is what you're looking for.

Answer 8

Edit : Thought it said Maxiumum.

You're smart right? Figure it out you'reself.

Answer 9

no limit