- What is the maximum number of pitches a batter can take to get to first base without getting a hit
or being hit, and without fouling any balls off? - How many ways are there to reach first base? What are they?
For the second question, see Cecil’s columns What are 5 ways to get to 1st without hitting the ball? and What are the five ways to get to first base without hitting the ball (revisited)?
The problem with question 2 is it’s open to interpretation. Are we counting hits? Are we counting some wild play where the pitcher accidently sends the ball into the stands? My answer is seven, counting hits and disregarding the pitcher sending one into the bleachers (I consider that an error).
As for your first question, I believe it is six.
There are 8 ways to reach first base.
It’s worth noting (about the first question) that, although six official pitches has got to be the maximum (two strikes, four balls, and you’re at first), a balk is not considered a ball or a strike. Conceivably, the hapless pitcher could fumble his delivery as many as three times, which would bring the maximum number of throws from mound to plate to nine. No more than three times, though, because after the third balk, there would obviously be no more runners on base. I don’t think you can balk without runners on base; at least I’ve never seen it done, and I can’t imagine why you would…
And all of that is still disregarding the way batters nowadays like to call time and step out of the box while the pitcher’s in his windup, which could lead to a limitless number of extra deliveries, but I probably shouldn’t even bring that up.
Well, I suppose the answer to the first question could be as many as eleven, if you’re inclined to split hairs and get all technical about it.
Batter comes up to the plate with two out and a man on first.
Ball, ball, ball, strike, and then on the fifth pitch, a strike, the runner takes off for second and is thrown out to end the inning…
So the batter leads off the next inning and does the six pitch routine, ending with a walk on a 3-2 pitch.
A balk with no one on is counted as a ball. Usually it is only called if a pitcher actually drops the ball or if he goes to his mouth in violation of the rules.
snac, I don’t know what the heck you’re talking about with that 11 pitch answer. You added together the number of pitches for two batters; the original question was how many pitches ONE batter would take. AFAIK, it would be 6–four balls and two strikes.
Guy, the situation snac is referencing is still the same batter. Just different at bats. A player batting when the final out is made in the inning (by someone other than the batter) leads off the next inning with a clean slate. Thus, technically, the batter faced 11 pitches without striking the ball.
Although, I don’t think the first part of the at-bat would be counted as an at-bat officially. I contend that this situation doesn’t count for the OP. IOW, I stand by the six pitch answer.
You didn’t read the previous posting carefully. It is possible for the same at bat to take place in different innings…a new count is given to the batter at the beginning of the next inning continuation of his at bat which was interupted by a third out when his team mate was tagged out trying to steal a base