How much is the perfect game worth?

March 8 2010, 8:23am

Only 18 perfect games have ever been pitched in recorded major league baseball history, but now 2K Sports is offering a one in a million prize for one skilled fan who can document their own perfect game with the latest version of its baseball video game, MLB 2K10. The campaign, by game maker 2K Sports, a division of Take-Two Interactive is focusing on a skilled based challenge rather than a random draw to promote the addition of more responsive controls for pitching. Players are now able to select a pitch type and then execute it with the joystick control allowing for more realistic effects. The Perfect Game contest is running from now until May 1, 2010 and fans can document their entire game from start to finish on video. The contest specifically outlines its definition of a perfect game to be one without any pitcher substitutions in the game play, no pauses during play, no delays of more than 60 seconds between pitches and no mound visits from the coach. Explicit instructions for video tape proof are available online including a downloadable checklist. The manufacturer will also allow players to record their game digitally. Once a player completes the perfect game they will receive an instant verification code to input into the website. The winner of the Perfect Game contest will receive $1 million for achieving the first perfect game in the contest period. “I would be shocked if someone doesn’t get it,” said Chris Snyder, 2K Sports marketing director. “It’s very doable. It’s been budgeted for. It’s in an escrow account, and we’re fully expecting to pay it.”