This is a great trivia question !
What is the most number of strikeouts a pitcher can get in one inning of baseball ?
The answer : Infinity !
Since when a batter strikes out, and the catcher drops the ball, the batter can run to first base and be safe. He is not out, but the pitcher is still credited with a strikeout.
Thus, a pitcher can have unlimited strikeouts in one inning.
Your first post here and you’re answering your own questions?
You should fit in… I have posted a million times, and still only I laugh at my jokes…
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Foul! Let’s see: By definition, when the Catcher drops the ball on the 3rd strike, the Batter is not Out. Therefore, it is not a Strikeout. Hence: 3 Strikeouts per Inning.
Nice try, though.
Hey, Monty…what about the two batters after him?!
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Monty: I don’t know what kind of baseball you watch, but it’s quite possible to have 4 strike outs in one inning. I’ve seen it happen. (In fact, I’m sure most baseball fans have seen it happen) The pitcher is still credited with a strike out even though the runner is safe on first base.
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Sorry, Monty… I re-read your post, and now I’m unsure. So, I take back my objection.
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Nah, it’s called a strikeout, even if the batter isn’t out. I know it seems contradictory, but that’s the way it is.
Even if Monty were right, there’d still be up to six, except for sometimes in the bottom of the ninth.
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Although it is technically possible to have an infinite number of strikeouts in one side of an inning, the record for the most in a major league baseball game is just four, which has been done 33 times. (Chuck Finley of the Angels did it twice last year, Baseball Almanac - Fabulous Feats : 4 Strikeouts In 1 Inning has the full list.)
Also don’t forget that first base must be unoccupied!
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I’m not so sure that’s true Frankie. I’m sure some will correct me if I’m wrong. I umpire NCAA fast pitch on down, and I thought the “Dropped Third Strike” rule was the same in both. First base only has to be unoccupied if there are less than two outs. When there are two outs, it creates a force situation. Any baseball rules people out there?
Enright3
“You tryin’ to tell me Jesus Christ can’t hit a curve ball?” - Eddie Harris(Major League)
Hey! I finally hit 300 posts! I feel like I post ALL THE TIME!. I can’t imagine how much other people spend on this site. I feel like I spend too much myself.
Anyway, please continue original thread…
“You tryin’ to tell me Jesus Christ can’t hit a curve ball?” - Eddie Harris(Major League)
The rule is that there must be fewer than two outs…and first base must not be occupied-- subject to correction. In any case, I don’t think this could occur more than once in any inning.
According to Turkin and Thompson’s Official Encyclopedia of Baseball, the most strikeouts in any inning is 4.
This happened at least once to Walter Johnson, of the old Washington Senators (1907-1927), who was better at anything than most of his teammates.
Gee, sorry, folks. Didn’t realize that the term half-inning actually has a meaning to y’all. What I meant was “3 strikeouts per team’s inning.”
I’m sure Mickey Owen wished this was true. Unfortunately for him and the 1941 Dodgers, you can take first base with two outs.
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The rule is called The Third Strike Rule, not The dropped third strike rule. So, no the ball doesn’t have to be “dropped”. When the catcher fails to catch the third strike before the ball touches the ground when there are fewer than two outs and first base is unoccupied, or anytime there are two outs.
First base only has to be unoccupied if there are fewer than 2 outs. If there are two outs, then it doesn’t matter if 1st base is occupied. If there are two outs, bases loaded, and the catcher doesn’t catch the 3rd strike, he only has to touch home plate for the force out.
Enright3
“You tryin’ to tell me Jesus Christ can’t hit a curve ball?” - Eddie Harris(Major League)
I’m glad we don’t play that sport here. Sounds too complicated for what amounts to glorified rounders.
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OK, I stand corrected. :o However, I still insist the dropped-third-strike play can happen only ONCE in either team’s half of an ainning.