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Perfect game

''Perfect game'' may refer to:
  • [[Perfect game (baseball)]], a game in which a baseball pitcher faces the minimum number of batters without allowing any to reach base
  • [[Perfect game (bowling)]], a bowling game in which all ten frames are scored as strikes
==Film and television==
  • ''Perfect Game'' (2000 film), a film starring Tracy Nelson and Dan Lauria
  • ''The Perfect Game'' (2009 film), a film starring Clifton Collins Jr.
  • ''Perfect Game!'' (Japanese TV series), a 2016 Japanese drama series
==Music==

Sports

Baseball

In , a perfect game is a of at least nine in which a (or pitchers) retires every batter they face, allowing no one to reach base via hit, walk, error, , or any other means, resulting in exactly 27 consecutive outs. This feat requires flawless defensive support from the pitcher's team, as any error would allow a baserunner and disqualify the performance. Unlike a , which permits baserunners through walks, errors, or other non-hit means but prohibits hits, a perfect game demands absolute prevention of any baserunner, making it the rarest and most demanding pitching achievement in the sport. The game must be a regulation contest of nine innings or more, played under (MLB) rules, and combined efforts by multiple pitchers do not qualify as a perfect game; only a single pitcher's complete dominance counts. The first recognized perfect game in MLB history occurred on June 12, 1880, when of the Worcester Ruby Legs pitched against the Cleveland Blues. Cy Young's perfect game on May 5, 1904, for the Boston Americans against the , marked the third such occurrence and the first in the modern era. As of November 2025, only 24 perfect games have been recorded in MLB's 150-year history across more than 238,500 games played, underscoring their extraordinary rarity. The most recent was thrown by of the Yankees on June 28, 2023, against the , while notable modern examples include Philip Humber's 2012 gem for the against the Seattle Mariners and Matt Cain's 2012 perfect game for the Giants against the Houston Astros—the latter being the first at . These performances highlight the distinction from no-hitters, as 24 of MLB's 326 no-hitters (as of 2025) are perfect games, with the rest allowing at least one baserunner. Two events stand out for their dramatic near-misses or postseason context: On May 26, 1959, of the pitched 12 perfect innings against the Milwaukee Braves but lost the game 1-0 in the 13th due to an error and a walk, often called the "greatest game ever pitched" despite falling short of perfection. In contrast, Don Larsen's October 8, 1956, perfect game in Game 5 of the for the Yankees against the remains the only postseason perfect game in MLB history, contributing to a Yankees sweep and cementing its legendary status. Perfect games hold profound cultural significance in baseball, often immortalized in lore through intense media coverage, fan celebrations, and lasting impacts on players' legacies, such as elevating lesser-known pitchers like to icon status overnight. They symbolize the pinnacle of pitching artistry and team defense, inspiring generations and frequently referenced in discussions of 's most improbable achievements.

Bowling

In ten-pin bowling, a perfect game is the highest possible score of , achieved by rolling 12 consecutive s across 10 frames. A occurs when all 10 pins are knocked down with the first of a , scoring 10 points plus the value of the next two balls thrown. For the first nine frames, each thus adds 30 points if followed by two more s (10 + 10 + 10), while the 10th frame allows up to three balls if the first is a , enabling the two additional s needed to complete the sequence and reach . This feat demands precise control, lane conditions, and equipment, marking it as an analogous rare achievement to a perfect game in , where no opposing player reaches base. The history of perfect games traces back to early 20th-century records, but televised milestones highlight their growing visibility. Grazio bowled the first perfect game on live television on October 4, 1953, during an Eastern All-Star league session at Newark Recreation in . In professional competition, Jack Biondolillo rolled the first televised 300 in PBA history on April 1, 1967, during the finals of the Firestone Tournament of Champions, earning $10,000 for the performance. holds the record for the most career perfect games in PBA competition, with 110 through 2019, surpassing 100 total titles across all PBA levels by 2016. Perfect games remain extremely rare in professional play despite their increased frequency overall, with the (USBC) certifying over 50,000 in 2023 alone among millions of participants. In televised PBA events, only 35 had been recorded as of , underscoring the pressure of competition. The rise since the stems from equipment evolution, particularly the introduction of reactive resin bowling balls in , which enhanced hook potential and pin carry compared to earlier models, alongside asymmetric cores and lane oil patterns that favor modern techniques. USBC studies confirm these factors dramatically boosted perfect game rates, even as league participation declined. Notable bowlers exemplify the skill required. , a six-time PBA Player of the Year, recorded 24 perfect games during his career on the Pro Bowlers Tour. , pioneering the two-handed style without a thumb hole, achieved three televised perfect games—the most in PBA history—including one in the 2023 PBA Tour Finals, revolutionizing the sport's delivery methods. Williams Jr. further demonstrated versatility by bowling multiple perfects into his 60s on the PBA50 and PBA60 tours.

Film and television

Films

The 2009 American drama film The Perfect Game, directed by William Dear, is based on the true story of the 1957 Monterrey Industriales, a youth baseball team from Mexico that became the first non-U.S. squad to win the Little League World Series. The narrative follows a group of impoverished boys in Monterrey who, under the guidance of their coach César Faz (played by Clifton Collins Jr.), overcome poverty, racism, and logistical challenges to compete against American teams, ultimately achieving an underdog victory in the final game—a 4–0 perfect game pitched by Ángel Macías (played by Jake T. Austin)—that represents flawless perseverance and teamwork on the field. Cheech Marin portrays Padre Esteban, a supportive priest, while young actors including Jake T. Austin as pitcher Ángel Macías and Moisés Arias as shortstop Mario Moreno bring energy to the ensemble, emphasizing themes of immigration and cultural barriers in 1950s America. The story is directly inspired by the baseball concept of a perfect game—a complete game in which no batters reach base—as depicted in the team's historic championship triumph. Produced by Prelude Pictures, Lone Runner Entertainment, and High Road Entertainment with a budget of $12.5 million, the film features an original score by composer , known for his work on sports dramas like . It premiered at the in October 2009 and received a wide theatrical release on April 16, 2010, distributed by and Image Entertainment. Despite positive notes on its inspirational tone and appeal, reception was mixed, with a 60% approval rating on based on 42 reviews, praising the young cast but critiquing predictable scripting. The film grossed $1.04 million in the U.S. and and $3.88 million worldwide, underperforming at the , and earned no major awards. A lesser-known earlier entry is the 2000 direct-to-video family comedy Perfect Game, directed by Dan Guntzelman, which follows an 11-year-old boy and his misfit Little League team as they learn under a reluctant coach (Edward Asner) and scheming manager (), tying into themes of personal achievement through . With a runtime of 100 minutes and a modest reception (50% on from limited reviews), it remains a minor work compared to the 2009 feature.

Television series

The concept of a perfect game in serves as a central motif in several Asian television productions, though series explicitly titled "Perfect Game" remain scarce outside of film adaptations. In , the 2025 drama ImPerfect Game (also known as Debut's Plan: ImPerfect Game) is a single-episode story produced as part of the NewKids series, focusing on high school friends and team members navigating ambition, teamwork, and personal growth amid competitive pressures. Directed by an ensemble team under , it stars Park Won-bin as Kang Han-il, Jang Yong-hoon as Baek Hoon, and supporting cast including Seok Joon and Baek Joon-hyuk, emphasizing themes of imperfect pursuits in youth athletics rather than literal perfection on the field. Aired on April 13, 2025, the 67-minute episode received positive reception for its relatable portrayal of adolescent struggles in a -centric culture, scoring 7.8 on viewer platforms. No major Japanese television series titled "Perfect Game" or "Pāfekuto Gēmu!" have been produced, though baseball dramas like those adapting often explore similar themes of prodigious talent and high-stakes pressure in high school sports. The absence of prominent Western series underscores the motif's stronger resonance in Asian media, where baseball's popularity ties into narratives of discipline, rivalry, and national identity, contributing to the genre's international appeal in the region.

Music

Albums

Albums titled Perfect Game include the 2004 Bollywood film soundtrack Inteqam: The Perfect Game, composed by Anand-Milind and featuring songs like "Chanak Chanak" performed by Poornima. More recent indie releases feature A Perfect Game by Made Me, released on January 25, 2025, blending lo-fi and experimental sounds. Another is an obligation by perfect game!, a 2024 album with tracks exploring emotional themes in .

Songs

"Perfect Game" is a song by the English band , released as a in January 1981 on . It appears on their debut studio album, A Product Of... (Participation), marking an early entry in their during their phase before transitioning to . The track, written by Tom Bailey, Pete Dodd, John Roog, and Chris Bell, features angular guitar riffs and driving rhythms characteristic of the era's independent scene. The lyrics of "Perfect Game" explore themes of alienation, societal coercion, and the illusion of perfection, portraying an anonymous individual trapped in a repetitive, oppressive system symbolized by the titular "game." Lines such as "They don't know what to call him / He doesn't have a name / But they still know how to force him / To keep playing the perfect game" evoke a sense of enforced conformity and existential dread, possibly critiquing institutional control or the dehumanizing aspects of modern life. The chorus's insistent repetition of "Perfect game" underscores a ironic detachment, blending melancholy with rhythmic urgency. Musically, the song exemplifies Thompson Twins' raw, experimental sound in 1981, with Bailey's vocals delivering a detached narrative over sparse production that highlights tension between melody and discord. It did not achieve significant chart success but contributed to the band's growing underground reputation in the UK, later included in compilations like the 1996 Singles Collection and the 2010 box set Box. Other notable songs titled "Perfect Game" include Illa J's 2015 hip-hop track featuring Potatohead People, from his self-titled album on Bastard Jazz Records, which incorporates soulful crooning over boom-bap beats and jazz elements to reflect personal introspection and resilience. In Japanese idol music, "Perfect Game" is an original composition performed by Subaru Nagayoshi for THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE! M@STER SPARKLE2 07, released on May 25, 2022, by Bandai Namco Entertainment, emphasizing themes of striving for flawless performance in the competitive world of virtual idols.

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