Double Play

Double Play is a term in baseball that describes the " making of " two attackers in a single turn. With a double play, the defensive team can turn an initially promising for the offensive game situation very quickly in their favor. A double play in baseball is as turning two, twin killing or for obvious reasons as the pitcher 's best friend called.

Types of Double Play

Force Double Plays

The most common type of double plays begins with at least one runner ( runner) on base, which is located in a force situation. This means that with a batted ball touches the ground, this runner loses the right to his present base and must start at all events the next base. After they have brought the batted ball under control ( in the glove or the hand), the defender must touch in such a situation only to running the base in order to " make " the runner. In a hard driven ball then is still plenty of time to make out the hitter at first base.

The vast majority of double plays will be played at second and first base. A middle infielder ( shortstop or second baseman ) takes on the flat batted ball (ground ball ) the batter and throws him to his partner who covers second base. Due to the force -play situation, the fielder must touch the base only briefly ( runner is out) and can immediately continue to throw to first base ( batsman is out). If the shortstop takes the ball and throws it to the second baseman, one also speaks of " 6-4-3 double play ". The numbers refer to the positions of the defenders. In this case, shortstop (6 ), second baseman (4) and first baseman (3). Accordingly, the record is of the ball by the second baseman with subsequent throw to shortstop a " 4-6-3 double play ". The player who scored the first from a double plays and the ball subsequently throws, also called pivot seen ( to pivot = rotate ).

Somewhat less frequently, but still often seen is a " 5-4-3 double play ", ie the ball uptake by the third baseman (5 ) and the following throw to second baseman ( 4), which, in turn, to the first baseman ( 3) raises; this is also called around the horn double play. Also possible is a double play after a blow back to the pitcher (1). Then there is either a " 1-6-3 double play " or, much less frequently, a " 1-4-3 double play ", depending on whether the shortstop or second baseman at second base waiting. Usually, the shortstop of the pivot you will be in this situation because its natural direction of motion to second base a much simpler throw to the first baseman allowed as it is the case with the second base man.

Also common are " 6-3 " or " 4-3 double plays ": here the ball from the middle infielders in the immediate vicinity is taken to second base, so a few quick steps to the base enough to score the first from themselves. In rare cases, the second baseman to touch the passing Runner also on the body and then complete the double play with the throw to first base.

The " 3-6-3 double play " is possible if the first baseman receives the ball and throws it to the shortstop at second base. This makes the runner and throws back to first base. A variant of this is the " 3-6-1 double play " in which the pitcher covering first base, because it can not get back in time to create the base of the first baseman. Very rarely, a " 3-6-4 double play " when the second base man secures the first base, for example in a non-ferrous situation.

With multiple runners on base, the defense will usually try to play from the first to the most advanced runner, because he has come to his goal, to achieve a run on the very next. The second is from trying almost exclusively at first base against the batsman, although there are runners who are further promoted on the bases as the batter. This is because the batsman only needs to start moving from the state after his swing, he so much longer to first base needs than the runner on base who have already solved a few steps away from the base (lead, secondary lead) and immediately can start moving after the blow. The only exception is the case when the first base man is very close after the recording of the struck ball at first base. Now he can also decide to make the first batter out, and only then to throw to second base. This type is called a reverse force double play, since the usual direction of play is reversed. A more challenging the second from is thus in this case the force situation for the Runner was repealed by the blow from the man, so he could theoretically return to the first base again. To make this runner at second base from shortstop needs him ( he usually covers the base from ) now on the body touch ( tag play).

Rarely are Force double plays in which a From the Home Plate is achieved. A variant would be the " 3-2-3 double play ", which is produced only when fully occupy bases ( bases loaded ). The batted ball comes here for first baseman, the catcher for ( 2) throws him to the runner coming from third base " from making ". The catcher throws the ball back to the first baseman to " make " the batsman. Of course, the throw to the Home Plate by any other infielder, including the pitcher, come. But It's an out has been made in the inning, so at least the Middle infielders are usually trying to play the classic double play over the second base.

Non -Force Double Plays

Even if a runner is not forced Walk the next base, the defensive can achieve two off in a turn. Here, the first off is usually a Flugaus, then the batsman is out immediately. If a batted ball caught in the air, but also all runners must return to their original base or may only now solve it. Make it now the defense to throw the ball faster to base before the runner has returned to this, the runner is out. Try the runner by a tag Up Play Walk the next base after catching the ball flight, he can also be identified by a litter of this base. Particularly spectacular is when the off against the runner at home plate is achieved is. Only a very strong cast of outfielders can prevent a run in this situation and lead to a double play.

Without any batted ball comes out of the strike- 'em -out -throw - ' em -out double play. Here, the batsman after the third strike is off while a runner trying to steal a base. Manages the catcher eject the potential base thief, also from this two are in a turn.

On a double play several fielders are usually involved. If it is possible to obtain a single defender completely alone two off, so it's called a " Unassisted Double Play ". Usually this happens when a line drive is caught by an infielder from the air ( first off) and then a runner can not return in time to its starting base (second stop).

Triple Play

A triple play refers to a very rare move, in which three attackers were identified. Usually it is a Around the horn double play with Force - outs in the third, second and first base. Also conceivable are also many other, more or less confused and variants.

Scoring / statistics

From Scorer view each turn is to be achieved in the two off a double play. For the field of defense as a team a double play (DP ) will be recorded and every player gets involved field next to the Assist and / or putout an additional DP. Because of the many possible variations this number is for players but mean very little; at most Middle Infieldern may be a clue to the goodness of their field game the number of DP.

A double play can not be assumed from Scorer: for example, an infielder gets a ground ball is not immediately under control and creates "only" one off, shall not be considered as a field game error ( Error). Likewise, if the pivot is an inaccurate throw to first base makes. If, however, the union accurate enough and time, but the first baseman can not control the fangbaren litter, so an error for the first baseman has to be scored.

Should a batter into a force double play or a reverse force double play, so it is chalked up a Grounded into double play ( GIDP ). In a pitcher many GIDP induced suggest that it is a ground ball pitcher.

Happens in a turn between the two outs a game field error (Error) then the entire play is no longer considered double play.

Frequency of different variants

At 100 " 6-4-3 double plays " ( 31% of all Force double plays ) are:

• 83 played 4-6-3 ( 26%).
• 53 played 5-4-3 (16 %).
• Be played 27 6-3 ( 8.3%).
• Be played 1-6-3 20 ( 6.2%).
• Be played 19 4-3 ( 5.8%).
• 9 the 3-6-3 played ( 2.8%).
• 5 are played 3-6-1 ( 1.5%).
• 4 are played 1-4-3 ( 1.2%).
• 4 are the 3-6 play ( 1.2%).
• 1 is played the 3-6-4 ( 0.3%).

• Baseball