by June Thrash
(SouthLake,TEXAS USA)

What does it mean when the announcer says the team makes a 4-6-3 double play?

COACH HENZE’S ANSWER

Thanks for the question June.

When a baseball announcer says that the defense just turned a 4-6-3 double play, he is referring to the numbering system for defensive baseball players. Each defensive position has a number that they are referred by. Below are the positions on a baseball field and it’s corresponding position #:

Pitcher – 1
Catcher – 2
1st Baseman – 3
2nd Baseman – 4
3rd Baseman – 5
Shortstop – 6
Left Fielder – 7
Center Fielder – 8
Right Fielder – 9

When a team turns a 4-6-3 double play, that means the 2nd baseman (#4) fielded a ground ball and then threw it to the shortstop (#6) at 2nd base for the 1st out and the shortstop then through to the 1st baseman (#3) for the 2nd out at first base.

SS Footwork Turning a 4-6-3 Double Play

Whenever any out, or outs, are recorded in a baseball scorebook, they are recorded with these numbers. Below are a few more examples:

5-3 put out – 3rd baseman fielded the ground ball and threw to the 1st baseman for the out.
F-8 – The batter hit a fly ball to the center fielder who caught it for the out.
3-6-3 Double Play – The first baseman fielded the ground ball and threw it to the shortstop at 2nd base for the 1st out and then the shortstop threw it back to the 1st baseman for the 2nd out of the double play.

I hope that helped explain some things you are hearing from baseball announcers on television. Baseball has a lot of little quirks and learning all of them is half the fun. Now baseball should be a little more interesting to you as you watch.

Thanks for the question!

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