Baseball Challenge question....

In a regulation length MLB game what (in theory) is the smallest possible number of pitches an individual pitcher can make to finish a game?
(he has to pitch the entire game, no getting pulled or ejected, etc...)

8. 1 pitch per inning for 8 innings if the pitcher is on the home team.

Here's how - 1st batter in the inning hits the first pitch for a single. Instead of returning to the mound, the pitcher hands the ball to the catcher who stays behind the plate. If, for no good reason, the runner at first tries to steal second, then the catcher tries to throw him out but the next batter interferes, the batter is called out and the runner returns to first. Repeat until there are 3 outs in the inning. 1 pitch, 3 outs.

Realistically the answer is 24. 1 pitch per out for 8 innings by the home team pitcher.

Sticking to the "realistic" scenario. 24 is not correct. The home team pitcher would have to pitch the top of the ninth for an additional three pitches. (and no, 27 in not correct either)

right, duh, bat 8 pitch 9. Shameful.

Okay, what's your magic for getting 3 outs in under 3 pitches?

right, duh, bat 8 pitch 9. Shameful.

Okay, what's your magic for getting 3 outs in under 3 pitches?

It's the away pitcher.

Score of 0 - 0 going into the bottom of the ninth.

The first batter hits a walk off home run on the first pitch.

25 Pitches total. The home team wins and he loses the game 1-0.

Oh bah, I read "win" into your question. Oops.

My answer of "8" still stands.

In certain circumstances, a game is considered regulation length in as few as five (complete) innings. Using GD's one pitch per inning scenario, it would be 5 pitches. Using the three pitches per inning, it would be 15 pitches.

ETA: Darn it, I'm still incorrect (I too read in that it had to be the winning pitcher). Minimum is 13 pitches.

What answer of zero?

Actually in that case it's 12. If the home team is leading after the top of the 5th, it's a regulation game, so the visiting pitcher would not have to pitch the bottom.