No-hitter

In baseball and softball, a no-hit game (more commonly known as a no-hitter) refers to a contest in which one of the teams has prevented the other from getting an official hit during the entire length of the game, which must be at least 9 innings by the current Major League Baseball definition. Foul balls, foul tips, ground outs, fly outs, walks and errors do not break up a no-hitter.

Related Topics:
Baseball - Softball - Hit - Major League Baseball - Foul ball - Foul tip - Ground out - Fly out - Walks - Errors

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter." The achievement of a no-hitter is rare and considered to be an extraordinary accomplishment for a pitcher or pitching staff. In most cases in the professional game, no-hitters are accomplished by a single pitcher who throws a complete game.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Labeling a game as a no-hitter does not imply that the opposing team has not reached base, since it is quite possible to reach base without a hit. Thus a no-hitter does not imply a shutout, and although it is extremely uncommon, it is possible for a pitcher to throw a no-hitter and yet lose the game. The special case of a no-hitter in which the other team has not reached base at all is called a perfect game. A perfect game is by definition a shutout and a victory.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It is considered bad luck by many fans and broadcast announcers to mention a team's hitless status while the game is in progress, so often only the most observant fans will realize that there is a possibility of a no-hitter until the game is over - or the no-hitter is broken up.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~