How many innings must a softball pitcher pitch to get the lost?

Answer 1

0. The pitcher could give up any amount of runs while getting no outs in the 1st inning.

i.e. if the pitcher fave up 100 runs in the 1st inning while getting no outs and was lifted I would think he would get the loss.

Answer 2

It's five innings. The rule doesn't make much sense unless you understand the lingo, but here it is anyways. (a) The official scorer shall credit as the winning pitcher that pitcher whose team assumes a lead while such pitcher is in the game, or during the inning on offense in which such pitcher is removed from the game, and does not relinquish such lead, unless (1) such pitcher is a starting pitcher and Rule 10.17(b) applies; or (2) Rule 10.17(c) applies. Rule 10.17(a) Comment: Whenever the score is tied, the game becomes a new contest insofar as the winning pitcher is concerned. Once the opposing team assumes the lead, all pitchers who have pitched up to that point and have been replaced are excluded from being credited with the victory. If the pitcher against whose pitching the opposing team gained the lead continues to pitch until his team regains the lead, which it holds to the finish of the game, that pitcher shall be the winning pitcher. (b) If the pitcher whose team assumes a lead while such pitcher is in the game, or during the inning on offense in which such pitcher is removed from the game, and does not relinquish such lead, is a starting pitcher who has not completed (1) five innings of a game that lasts six or more innings on defense, or (2) four innings of a game that lasts five innings on defense, then the official scorer shall credit as the winning pitcher the relief pitcher, if there is only one relief pitcher, or the relief pitcher who, in the official scorer’s judgment was the most effective, if there is more than one relief pitcher.

Answer 3

A starting pitcher must pitch to only one batter to qualify to get a loss. If the starter gives up a home run to the first batter faced and then is taken out of the game and the team loses 1-0, the starter is credited with the loss.

Answer 4

He must pitch a minimum of 5 complete innings.

Answer 5

At least five.