Which is more of a "perfect game"?

Question

A silly debate I had with a coworker. Which is more of a "perfect game", a game in which the pitcher strikes out every batter on 3 pitches or a game in which a pitcher retires each batter only on one pitch?

Hmmm.... I seem to be in the minority here. I personally think it's more impressive to retire every batter on the minimum number of pitches possible. I guess strikeouts are sexier.

Answer 1

I also go with the 81 pitches, 81 strikes, 27 k's - it's perfection in the sense that no one even made contact - for that matter, no one else even needs to take the field (besides the catcher)!

Answer 2

A strike out game would be more "perfect" only because its all on the pitcher. He has to do all the work. If he only throws 27 pitches that means his field had to do most of the work for him and all he had to do was deliver the pitch to the batter so he could put it in play. 27 strike outs on three pitches each is the best possible night a pitcher could ever have because every pitch would have to be the best pitch ever.

Answer 3

Note that "a game in which the pitcher strikes out every batter
on 3 pitches" need not be a "perfect game." A dropped third
strike might allow the batter to reach first safely. Whereas
"a game in which a pitcher retires each batter only on one
pitch" couldn't be less than "perfect."

Answer 4

Personally, I think that if you strike out every batter, then you are not giving your "team" the practice they need or want. You are just up there pitching. Granted, it's a great thing to strike out every batter on three pitches, but it's not needed.
If you have a good enough pitcher that can pitch strikes, and your team can field, then its all fine. So the perfect game would be getting outs now striking out.

Answer 5

Retiring 27 batter on 27 pitches would be great ,but striking out 27 batter alone would have you in the record books but doing it on 81 pitches you would be talked about forever..

Answer 6

To strike out every batter on three pitches, 81 consecutive strikes, and to strike out 27 batters for a perfect game would be the most dominant possible game imaginable.

Answer 7

The K route is better.

The second route, while limiting pitch count, is less perfect because it relies on the help of others.

The first route can be accomplished with a team of little-leaguers manning the field. In fact, it can be accomplished with no fielders whatsover.

The second route requires solid defense. It may require spectactular defense (in theory, you could give up 27 home run distance balls that outfielders leap over the fence and steal 27 times).

While the pitch count is higher, you still are nowhere near levels of pitcher fatigue by facing 27 batters at 3 pitches each.

Answer 8

While both are impressive, I would be starching my head at the team that got beat. Swinging at every 1st pitch and making an out!?! That would be unbelievable and really dumb if they did. I have a question for all those who voted for the strikeouts. If several of the first two strikes were screaming line drives, foul by inches, would your vote be the same?

Answer 9

The Strikeout would be better in my opinion... Although the 27 pitch game would be rarer... If the first two people in an ining are retired on one pitch, you are instructed not to swing at the first pitch... 27 strikeouts in a game would be amazing...

Answer 10

Both are impresive!
But I would rather strikeout every hitter on 3 pitches, but I'll take the perfect game in any way, as long as it helps my team wins.