Fewest Pitches

[mpacey]

I'm sure you geniuses have heard this one before, but I've managed to stump the local yokels:

What is the fewest number of pitches that a pitcher can toss in a regulation 9 inning game?

This would be a complete game. :clapping

[wamby]

I'd guess it was 15, since a regulation game can go only five innings.

[mpacey]

You are close, but I did specify a 9 inning game. :atthepc

[1905 Giants]

Technically 27 if each is an out or if its two hits then a triple play over and over

[The Dude]

It'd be one, wouldn't it?

[Gee Walker]

I'd say 25, if it's the losing pitcher in a road game, who retires everyone on one pitch except for one guy who hits a home run on the first pitch. Loses the game 1-0.

[Utter Chaos]

I say 9 but realistically it would never happen.

Leadoff batter hits a triple on the first pitch. PITCHES = 1
Second batter comes up and before the pitcher pitches, the runner on third breaks for home. Pitcher tries to catch him stealing but the batter interferes with the throw home. Batter is called out and runner is sent back to third. PITCHES = 1, OUTS = 1
Third batter comes up and same thing happens, runner breaks for home and batter interferes with the pitch. Same thing with the fourth batter. Inning over with 1 PITCH.
Second inning batter leads off with a triple and same thing happens. Repeat for 9 innings and you have 9 PITCHES.

I believe you could also do it with 0 pitches. If you don't pitch the ball withing a certain time or if you put your hands to your mouth a ball is called. If that is done 12 times in a inning you have 3 walks. If each of those runners is picked off base then you have 3 outs with no pitches. Repeat for 9 innings. Of course again this scenario is unrealistic.

[mpacey]

Wow, Utter Chaos, you blew me away with your logical and knowledgeable analysis.

Theoretically, of course, you are correct, but the scenario I had in mind was exactly as Gee Walker described.

However, this was based on the assumption that at least one pitch has to be tossed to a batter.

Thanks for the input. :gt

[Utter Chaos]

Wow, Utter Chaos, you blew me away with your logical and knowledgeable analysis.

Theoretically, of course, you are correct, but the scenario I had in mind was exactly as Gee Walker described.

However, this was based on the assumption that at least one pitch has to be tossed to a batter.

Thanks for the input. :gtA better way of phrasing the question may be "What is the minimum number of batters a pitcher can face in a complete 9 inning game?".

While theoretically the answer is 25, I believe the record is 26 which happened on September 9, 1965. In a game played in Los Angeles, Sandy Koufax pitched a perfect game against the Cubs while losing pitcher Bob Hendley threw a one-hitter. Lou Johnson of the Dodgers who walked in the 5th and doubled in the seventh, was the only baserunner for either team. Since the Dodgers didn't have to bat in the 9th, Hendley pitched a complete game while facing only 26 batters.

Another interesting occurance happened on July 30, 1971. The Baltimore Orioles won a rain shortened 4 and 1/2 inning game in Baltimore by a score of 1-0. The run came on a home run in the 1st by Frank Robinson. That was the only baserunner allowed by Royal pitcher Dick Drago. Since Baltimore didn't need to bat in the 5th, Drago was credited with a complete game while facing only 13 batters.