What is a no-hitter in baseball?
Official Definition
In Major League Baseball, a no-hitter is defined as a game in which a pitcher or pitchers combine to allow no hits. The game must last at least nine innings, and the pitching team must win. If the game goes into extra innings and the opponent gets a hit, it is no longer a no-hitter. If the pitcher allows no hits but the game is shortened by rain (e.g., 7 innings), it is not an official no-hitter unless the pitcher completes at least nine innings.
A perfect game is a special type of no-hitter where no batter reaches base at all—no hits, walks, errors, or hit batsmen. A no-hitter can include walks and errors, so it is less rare than a perfect game.
Combined No-Hitters and Records
A combined no-hitter occurs when two or more pitchers combine to allow no hits. For example, in 2022, the Houston Astros threw a combined no-hitter in the World Series. The official MLB rule counts combined no-hitters as no-hitters, but some fans and historians prefer to distinguish them.
Nolan Ryan holds the MLB record with seven no-hitters. The most recent no-hitters are tracked by MLB. In a typical season, there are a few no-hitters across the league.
Common mistakes
- Thinking a no-hitter requires a perfect game; walks and errors are allowed.
- Believing a rain-shortened game can be a no-hitter; it must go at least nine innings.
