How can there be a no-hitter without automatically becoming a perfect game?

There are several ways to have a no hitter without a perfect game:

Errors

Catcher's interference

Walks

Hit by Pitches

Catcher drops the third strike

All of those can lead to baserunners without the other team getting a base hit. A perfect game can only occur if there are no baserunners at all. Switching pitchers has nothing to do with it. Two pitchers can combine for a no-hitter or a perfect game.

I have only seen a perfect game broken up by a walk one time that I can recall. Scott Baker of the Twins had a perfect game going into the 9th in 2007 against the Royals. He walked the leadoff guy in the 9th, which ruined the perfect game. With one out in the 9th, he gave up a hit, which ruined the no-hitter.

@Donovan: it doesn't depend on your perspective. A hit batsman is NOT the same as a walk. It is a completely different statistical category in baseball.

***Catcher's interference is when the catcher reaches for the ball before the batter has a chance to swing at the pitch. If the batter hits the catcher's mitt instead of hitting the ball, it is interference. The catcher has to give the hitter a chance to hit the ball before he catches it (see link below). Sarge is right, this counts as an error - I did not know that until just now.

If the catcher drops strike three, the batter gets to run to first base, and if he gets there before the catcher throws him out, he gets to stay. It still counts as a strikeout, not a hit, but the runner gets on base and no out is recorded.

There are several ways to have a no hitter without a perfect game:

Errors

Catcher's interference

Catcher's interference is recorded as an error.

10.13 (f) When an umpire awards the batter or any runner or runners one or more bases because of interference or obstruction, charge the fielder who committed the interference or obstruction with one error, no matter how many bases the batter, or runner or runners, may be advanced.

Catcher drops the third strike

The term is an uncaught third strike, and the batter is not awarded first base, he must reach base on his own. It's recorded as a Passed Ball.

10.15 (b) A catcher shall be charged with a passed ball when he fails to hold or to control a legally pitched ball which should have been held or controlled with ordinary effort, thereby permitting a runner or runners to advance.

Simply put, if a runner reaches base in any way, there is no perfect game.

Sarge

I think with the perfect game you need 27 up, 27 down, one by one and in order.

So other than a walk I would think a fielding error might blow a perfect game but still qualify as a no-hitter. Plus, if you want to split hairs, a hit batter would have the same effect as your walk, depending on your perspective and whether you really consider that any different..

@Nate: I was talking from a practical point of view, as I mentioned by them having the same effect (i.e. batter awarded first base, perfect game is blown). It was meant to be a casual answer to the question, but thanks for your diligence. The rulebook will support you.

comment on the other guy: you can switch pitchers, there have been multiple pitcher no hitters before

ways to get the no hitter without a perfect game:

- Hit batters

- reach on errors

- dropped third strikes

- catcher's interference

- hits

If you hit the batter or an error. I think if catchers interference was called it would still be a no-hitter.

1. combined no-hitter with multiple pitchers (if the starter is injured or something)

2. an error

If the pitcher gives up an unearned run, like if the center fielder commits an error, the guy gets to third and a sac fly brings him in, he can have a no-hitter and lose the game 1-0.

if the team makes an error its not a perfect game anymore just a no-hitter

A batter could get hit by a pitch.

Dropped third strike

Catcher interferrance.

Walks or errors.

Nate said it right, listen to him.