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What is a No-Hitter in Baseball

A no-hitter is a rare pitching achievement where a pitcher allows no hits to the opposing team throughout a complete game of at least nine innings.

A no-hitter is one of the most celebrated individual achievements in baseball — a game in which a pitcher (or group of pitchers) does not allow a single hit to the opposing team over the course of a complete game (at least nine innings). Batters may reach base via walks, hit by pitches, or errors, but a no-hitter is official as long as no hits are recorded.

How a No-Hitter Works

For a no-hitter to be official:

  • The pitcher must complete at least 9 full innings (or the equivalent in a shortened official game)
  • The opposing team must have zero hits — no singles, doubles, triples, or home runs
  • The pitcher's team must win (if the game goes to extra innings with the opponent still hitless, it still counts)

Batters can still reach base in a no-hitter through:

  • Walks (bases on balls)
  • Hit by pitch
  • Fielding errors
  • Dropped third strike
  • Catcher's interference

No-Hitter vs. Perfect Game

A perfect game is a more exclusive achievement — no opposing batter reaches base for any reason (no hits, no walks, no errors, no hit batters). Every perfect game is also a no-hitter, but not every no-hitter is a perfect game.

  • No-hitters in MLB history: ~300+
  • Perfect games in MLB history: 23 (as of 2025)

Combined No-Hitters

Modern baseball has seen a rise in combined no-hitters, where the starting pitcher is removed before completing 9 innings (often after 5–6 innings) and one or more relievers finish the job. Official rules have recognized combined no-hitters since 1991.

Famous No-Hitters in MLB History

  • Nolan Ryan — MLB record 7 career no-hitters
  • Sandy Koufax — 4 no-hitters including a perfect game
  • Bob Feller — 3 no-hitters including Opening Day 1940
  • Johnny Vander Meer — Only pitcher to throw back-to-back no-hitters (1938)

The 8th and 9th Inning No-Hit Bids

When a pitcher carries a no-hitter deep into a game, it becomes a major storyline — by baseball tradition, teammates are not supposed to mention it (superstition holds that talking about it might jinx it). Announcers will typically mention it clearly, however.

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