24 pitches is the absolute minimum for a legal baseball game, but only if that one team is the visitor team, and that the home team's in the lead after the end of the top of the 9th inning. If the home team has more runs at that time, the bottom of the ninth is not played; hence 8 defensive halves of innings multiplied by 1 unavoidable pitch per necessary out to complete said inning equals 24 pitches.

The record was set on August 10, 1944, by Charley "Red" Barrett of the Boston Braves who threw 58 pitches during a nine inning complete game. The Braves shutout the Reds 2-0, limiting them to two hits and no walks. Put another way, the average hitter faced just TWO pitches. This game is also the major league record for the shortest game played at night (one hour fifteen minutes). The minimum number of pitches thrown by a pitcher in a complete 9 inning would be 25. If every pitch resulted in an out through 8 innings by the visiting pitcher (which would be 24 pitches) and his team did not score in the top of the ninth. The home team could hit a homerun on the first pitch of the bottom of the ninth inning resulting in only 25 pitches by the visiting pitcher. The game would be over at that point and the visiting team loses. Also if the pitcher only pitched 8 innings he would have to be on the losing end of the decision. So he would have given up at least one run and one hit which in this case it would be a homerun. So the answer still would be 25. I hope I explained so you can understand it better. If the game was called because of rain, etc, the minimum number of pitches thrown by a pitcher in a complete game, which is 4-1/2 innings, if the home team is ahead or 5 innings if there not, would be 13. If every pitch resulted in an out through 4 innings by the visiting pitcher(which would be 12 pitches) and his team did not score in the top of the 5th. The home team could hit a homerun on the first pitch of the bottom of the 5th inning resulting in only 13 pitches by the visiting pitcher. The game would be over at that point and the visiting team loses. Also if the pitcher only pitched 4 innings he would have to be on the losing end of the decision. So he would have given up at least one run and one hit which in this case it would be a homerun. So the answer still would be 13. I hope I explained so you can understand it better.

The record was set on August 10, 1944, by Charley "Red" Barrett of the Boston Braves who threw 58 pitches during a nine inning complete game. The Braves shutout the Reds 2-0, limiting them to two hits and no walks. Put another way, the average hitter faced just TWO pitches. This game is also the major league record for the shortest game played at night (one hour fifteen minutes). The minimum number of pitches thrown by a pitcher in a complete 9 inning would be 25. If every pitch resulted in an out through 8 innings by the visiting pitcher(which would be 24 pitches) and his team did not score in the top of the ninth. The home team could hit a homerun on the first pitch of the bottom of the ninth inning resulting in only 25 pitches by the visiting pitcher. The game would be over at that point and the visiting team loses. Also if the pitcher only pitched 8 innings he would have to be on the losing end of the decision. So he would have given up at least one run and one hit which in this case it would be a homerun. So the answer still would be 25. I hope I explained so you can understand it better. If the game was called because of rain, etc, the minimum number of pitches thrown by a pitcher in a complete game, which is 4-1/2 innings, if the home team is ahead or 5 innings if there not, would be 13. If every pitch resulted in an out through 4 innings by the visiting pitcher(which would be 12 pitches) and his team did not score in the top of the 5th. The home team could hit a homerun on the first pitch of the bottom of the 5th inning resulting in only 13 pitches by the visiting pitcher. The game would be over at that point and the visiting team loses. Also if the pitcher only pitched 4 innings he would have to be on the losing end of the decision. So he would have given up at least one run and one hit which in this case it would be a homerun. So the answer still would be 13. I hope I explained so you can understand it better.

Since we're talking theoretical minimums, I believe the correct answer is actually ZERO pitches for a complete game due to: Rule 6.06b. A batter is out for illegal action when -- (a) ... (b) He steps from one batter's box to the other while the pitcher is in position ready to pitch; And so the minimum number of pitches thrown for both teams would be a total of ONE (resulting in a homerun). Now to take this a step further, if you're counting the number of pitches THROWN, the total for both teams could be ZERO. We've already established how to make outs without throwing a pitch, now how to score a run without a pitch: By a pitcher violating rules 8.02a or 8.04, the umpire calls a ball without a pitch being thrown. Four of those for a walk. And many ways to advance three bases (stolen base, balk, error on pick off, etc.) to score without a pitch. 8.02 The pitcher shall not -- (a) (1) Bring his pitching hand in contact with his mouth or lips while in the 18 foot circle surrounding the pitching rubber... PENALTY: For violation of this part of this rule the umpires shall immediately call a ball. 8.04 When the bases are unoccupied, the pitcher shall deliver the ball to the batter within 12 seconds after he receives the ball. Each time the pitcher delays the game by violating this rule, the umpire shall call "Ball."