Can A Pitcher Have A Perfect Game With An Error
A perfect game is just that - no hits, no walks, and crucially, no errors. If an opponent has no hits and no walks, but gets on base once due to an error, the pitcher will have to be satisfied with a no-hitter, not a perfect game.
In the world of baseball, a perfect game is a rare and highly coveted achievement. It is a complete game pitched without a single runner reaching base, whether by hit, base-on-balls, or error. This feat is so rare that the first major league perfect game was only thrown in 1880 by Lee Richmond.
A perfect game is a subset of no-hitters, but it's important to note that not every no-hitter is a perfect game. In a no-hitter, hitters can reach base through walks, hit-by-pitch, errors, fielder's choice, and more. However, in a perfect game, no baserunners are allowed at all.
The Role of Errors in a Perfect Game
Errors are an integral part of baseball. They do not count against a no-hitter, just as walks don't. But when it comes to a perfect game, the rules are different. A perfect game is just that - no hits, no walks, and crucially, no errors. If an opponent has no hits and no walks, but gets on base once due to an error, the pitcher will have to be satisfied with a no-hitter, not a perfect game.
Errors can be defined as acts, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to advance one or more bases or allows a plate appearance to continue after the batter should have been put out.
The Impact of Fielding on a Perfect Game
Since the pitcher cannot control whether or not his teammates commit any errors, the pitcher must be backed up by solid fielding to pitch a perfect game. An error that does not allow a baserunner, such as a misplayed foul ball, does not spoil a perfect game. However, any fielding errors which allow a batter to reach base would indeed ruin a perfect game.
The Evolution of the Perfect Game
The definition of a perfect game has evolved over time. As of 2021, the Major League Baseball (MLB) definition of a perfect game was largely a side effect of the decision made by the major leagues' Committee for Statistical Accuracy in 1991. They redefined a no-hitter as a game in which the pitcher or pitchers on one team throw a complete game of nine innings or more without surrendering a hit. The definition of a perfect game was made to parallel this new definition of the no-hitter, effectively substituting "baserunner" for "hit".
Conclusion
A pitcher cannot have a perfect game with an error. A perfect game requires flawless execution from both the pitcher and the fielders. Any error that allows a batter to reach base spoils the perfection, relegating the achievement to a no-hitter instead. This stringent requirement is what makes perfect games one of the rarest feats in baseball.