Hit

A hit is awarded to a player when he reaches at least first base safely. If the player is out at second, third or home, it can still be a hit. A hit happens as long as it is first bounced into fair territory and not an error or fielder's choice.

To pitch a no-hitter you have to allow no hits at all, but errors, hit by pitches and bases on balls can be allowed and it will still be a no-hitter even if you allow a run or few.

In 1887, surprisingly bases on balls counted as a hit, so it allowed a player to get a .485 batting average so the next year they got rid of it.