What is the record for most strike outs in one half inning?

Answer 1

You can't - only three outs. BUT you can have FOUR strikeouts in one inning. If the catcher drops the ball, the runner can go to first base, but no out is scored.

0-0 1 Out, runners on 2nd and 3rd

Fly ball

The runners both run home (2-0)

The ball is caught (2nd out)

The defender tags 2nd base (3rd out, score is now 1-0)

• At this point, the inning is over. The defense may run off the field and the score will remain 1-0, OR they can tag 3rd base to record the 4th out and the score will be 0-0

Actually, from what you're saying, neither runner that scored tagged up. So when the outfielder caught the ball for the 2nd out, then threw it to second for the third out, the inning was over. The run does not count because the other runner never tagged up.

in other words, the first poster was right. It is impossible to have four OUTS in an inning.

the answer above is correct. the fourth out will only come into play if the defensive team appeals the runner from third not tagging up. if they don't then the run does count. if they do appeal the play the runner is out (the fourth out) and the run does not count

the answer above is correct. the fourth out will only come into play if the defensive team appeals the runner from third not tagging up. if they don't then the run does count. if they do appeal the play the runner is out (the fourth out) and the run does not count

Answer 2

In short yes. see below for explaination. Four strikeouts in an inning If a third strike is not caught by the catcher (and is not tipped), it is a strikeout, and the at-bat is over. However, with first base open or with two outs, the batter is not out until tagged out or forced out. On a wild pitch or passed ball the batter can often advance to first base safely. If a runner is at first base and there are less than two outs, the batter is automatically out, as with the infield fly rule. If there are two outs, another runner may be forced out as with any other ball in play. If the runner reaches first base safely, there is no out, but the pitcher is still credited with a strikeout. It is thus possible for a pitcher to throw four (or more) strikeouts in an inning. The first major leaguer to be credited with the feat was Jon Andre of the New York Giants on October 4, 1888. The feat was once rare, occurring only five times before 1956, but is now so common that it happened six times in 1999. Chuck Finley did it on May 12 and August 15, 1999 with the Anaheim Angels, and then for a third time on April 16, 2000 with the Cleveland Indians. Finley is the only player to pitch four strikeouts in an inning more than once. Kerry Wood of the Chicago Cubs struck out 4 in an inning in 2002, but in his case, 2 batters reached base due to passed balls by his catcher Todd Hundley. This recent increase in the occurrence of the four-strikeout inning may well be credited to the increase in usage of the split-finger fastball and forkball, both pitches that end up in the dirt at the plate when effective and often are difficult to handle for catchers. With any runners advancing to leave first base open if there are less than two outs, the process can repeat, leading to a fifth strikeout (or more) in the inning. A fifth strikeout has not happened in a regulation game in the major leagues, but has occurred three times in the minor leagues, most recently by Mike Schultz of the Lancaster JetHawks against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes on July 16, 2004. In the major leagues, knuckleballer Joe Niekro also struck out five men in an inning during a spring exhibition game when Niekro was with the Houston Astros.

Answer 3

Yes On the third strike of the third strike out if the ball gets by the catcher the batter can reach first base safely but the at bat is counted as a strike out. The next batter comes up ,strikes out and the cather holds on to the ball this time. Theoretically, if your catcher cannot handle the third strikes, you can have unlimited number of strikeouts in an inning. If every batter reached safely after a dropped third strike (which IS recorded as a strike out for the pitcher), you could lose, say, 20-0 without ever giving up a hit and by striking out every batter.

Answer 4

If a guy gets on base after a dropped third strike, a pitcher can get more than 3 strike outs in an inning.

Answer 5

five