On September 30, 1984, Mike Witt of the California Angels threw a perfect game against the Texas Rangers at Arlington Stadium.

Both the Angels and Rangers had already been eliminated from playoff contention, and as a result, a small crowd of 8,375 people attended the game.

Larry Parrish hit a ground ball that forced third baseman Doug DeCinces to make a barehanded throw in the fifth inning.

[1] In baseball leagues that feature nine-inning games like Major League Baseball (MLB), this means the pitchers involved must record an out against 27 consecutive batters, without allowing any hits, walks, hit batsmen, uncaught third strikes, catcher's or fielder's interference, or fielding errors.

[1] It is widely considered by sportswriters to be the hardest single-game accomplishment in the sport, as it requires an incredible pitching performance, defensive support, and immense luck to pull off.

[1] Prior to Witt's perfect game, the most recent occurrence was in 1981, when Len Barker of the Cleveland Indians threw one against the Toronto Blue Jays.

[4][5] The 1983 Angels were expected to compete for the World Series, but underperformed, and Witt had his worst season, with a win-loss record of 7–14 and a 4.91 earned run average (ERA).

[8] Witt recalled how he felt calm that day: "It was perfect weather, seventy-five degrees, no wind, no clouds ...

"[10] By comparison, Rangers batter Mickey Rivers noted how he and many of his teammates wanted the season to be over and that they did not take the game seriously for the first five innings.

[12] In the top of the seventh inning, DeCinces led off for the Angels with a single and advanced to second base on a passed ball.

Two batters later, Reggie Jackson hit into a fielder's choice, which allowed DeCinces to score the only run of the game.

[16] Tim Kurkjian of The Dallas Morning News echoed this remark, and said he only started caring about the game once he noticed the Rangers did not have any baserunners.

[17] In the eighth inning, Parrish hit a long fly ball that Witt initially assumed was going to be a home run before Mike Brown caught it at the warning track.

"[6] Some Rangers players also complained that umpire Greg Kosc gave Witt too large of a strike zone.

[22] The Angels reached the American League Championship Series, but lost to the Boston Red Sox in seven games.