Triple Play (TP)

Definition

A triple play occurs when the defending team records three outs on a single defensive play.

Triple plays are rare for several reasons. First off, they can occur only when the batting team has at least two men on base with nobody out. Then, in those cases, the batting team typically has to make a baserunning blunder to aid the defending team. The most common form of a triple play begins with a hard line drive at an infielder. In this instance, runners sometimes have already left their bases -- either to steal, as part of a hit and run or simply because they didn't get a good read on where the ball was headed. The defense will then throw to both bases, getting both runners out.

Still, there is no common method for a triple play, like there is with a ground-ball double play. There have been ground-ball triple plays, typically with a slow runner batting. There have also been situations where multiple runners get caught in rundowns. Additionally, triple plays have resulted from confusion at an umpire's call.

One of the rarest occurrences in baseball is the unassisted triple play, where a single fielder turns a triple play without ever giving up the baseball. There are no defensive assists on the play, and thus it is unassisted. Every unassisted triple play in history (through the 2016 season) has followed a pattern, where the three outs are recorded by: 1. An infielder catching a line drive, and 2. that infielder tagging a runner and stepping on second base (in no particular order).

In A Call

"turn three"

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Total Chances (TC)

Definition

In theory, a defender's total chances represent the number of opportunities he has to record an out. The formula for total chances is: assists plus putouts plus errors.

The use of the statistic is almost exclusively limited to its role as the denominator for determining fielding percentage. The biggest flaw with total chances is that it doesn't account for difficult defensive plays that get made. For instance, a diving catch that is made by a defender counts as a "chance," but if that same play falls in for a hit, it doesn't count as a "chance" for that defender.

In A Call

"defensive chances," "chances"

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Hitting Metrics | How To Use Them Effectively | The Baseball Barn

Coach Rich Lovell goes over how to use metrics effectively and translate them into drills that improve the swing.

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Putout (PO)

Definition

A fielder is credited with a putout when he is the fielder who physically records the act of completing an out -- whether it be by stepping on the base for a forceout, tagging a runner, catching a batted ball, or catching a third strike. A fielder can also receive a putout when he is the fielder deemed by the official scorer to be the closest to a runner called out for interference.

Catchers -- who record putouts by catching pitches that result in strikeouts -- and first basemen -- who record putouts by catching throws on ground-ball outs -- generally amass the highest putout totals.

If a fielder receives a ground ball and steps on a base for a forceout or tags a runner, he is credited with an unassisted putout -- and, obviously, he does not receive credit for an assist. However, if a fielder does so and then throws the ball to another teammate for an out, he is credited with both a putout and an assist.

In A Call

"tagged out" OR "forced out"

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Feel vs Real | How To Effectively Modify A Player's Swing | The Baseball...

Coach RIch Lovell uses and exaggeration technique to get player's to effective improve their swing.

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Passed Ball (PB)

Definition

A catcher is given a passed ball if he cannot hold onto a pitch that -- in the official scorer's judgment -- he should have, and as a result at least one runner moves up on the bases. Passed balls have commonality with wild pitches, as both allow a runner to advance on his own without a stolen base. However, there is a key difference: A passed ball is deemed to be the catcher's fault, while a wild pitch is deemed to be the fault of the pitcher.

A passed ball is not recorded as an error, but when a run scores as the result of a passed ball, it does not count as an earned run against a pitcher. (In cases where this is in question, the official scorer must reconstruct the inning, and if the run would not have scored without the passed ball, that run is deemed unearned.) If a runner advances on a passed ball, he is not credited with a stolen base.

After a strikeout, if the catcher fails to catch the third strike, and the batter reaches first base safely as a result, either a passed ball or a wild pitch must be awarded. In the instance of a wild pitch, that baserunner could count against a pitcher's ERA, but in the instance of a passed ball, he cannot.

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Outfield Assist (OFA)

Definition

An outfielder records an assist when he throws the ball into the infield and an out is recorded as a result. Outfield assists are one of the most commonly referenced types of assists.

Outfield assists often result from throws directly to a base, without the help of an infielder. However, if a relay throw is needed or if an infielder cuts the throw off to get an out at a different base, the outfielder is still credited with an assist. Similarly, if one outfielder touches the ball before another outfielder throws to the infield for an out, both outfielders are awarded an assist.

In A Call

"nailed," "thrown out," "hosed"

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When To Start Working On Power With Your Hitter | The Baseball Barn

Coach Rich goes over his strategy to helping a player increase power by first identifying the fundamentals of their swing.

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Out (O)

Definition

One of baseball's most basic principles, an out is recorded when a player at bat or a baserunner is retired by the team in the field. Outs are generally recorded via a strikeout, a groundout, a popout or a flyout, but MLB's official rulebook chronicles other ways -- including interfering with a fielder -- by which an offensive player can be put out.

For every out that is recorded by the defensive team, a putout is given to a fielder and a third of an inning pitched is awarded to the pitcher. Three outs are required to retire the side in an inning.

In A Call

"down," "retired," "away," "gone," "put out"

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