Baseball is a fun game, but it does have a lot of rules or terminology that might be a bit confusing to the casual fan. When you head to the ballpark or turn the game on television, you want to be aware of what is going on. Baseball is a game played by many kids throughout their childhood.
It seems that just about every kid plays at least a year or two of little league baseball and learns at least something about the game. People love baseball because it often signifies the start of spring and gives us hope that summer will be here soon.
Baseball is also a highly skilled game, one that requires a lot of player development and skills to be successful. At the same time, it is fun to practice and there is nothing like hitting a long driver to deep center field or making a fantastic play on the defensive side of the game.
Here at sprotswarrior365, we answer many of your common questions related to sports and strive to help you get better with the sport you love.
What Is A Double Play in Baseball
A double play is when two outs are made on one batted ball. For example, a runner is on first base and a ground ball is hit to the shortstop. The shortstop fields it, throws it to second base for one out and then the ball is quickly thrown to first base for a second out.
In both situations, the ball would have beat the runner to the base that was required to run to that base. This would be known as a 6-4-3 double play. This is perhaps the most common double play in all of baseball
Below we will discuss the following (Contents):
- Most Common Double Plays
- Why Double Plays are Important
- How to Turn Double Plays
- Related Questions
- What is a Triple Play in Baseball
- Examples of Uncommon Double Plays
Most Common Double Plays
The most common double plays in baseball typically take place when a ball it his on the ground to an infielder. The three most common double playsare are the 6-4-3 double play, the 5-4-3 double play and the 4-6-3 double play.
You will also see the 1-6-3 double play as well as the 3-6-3 double play. All of these plays take a solid throw, a solid catch, another quality throw and another catch. The players must move quickly, have soft, quick hands and not waste anytime.
To help you better understand what each of these numbers listed above are, here is a quick chart:
| Position | Position Number |
| Pitcher | 1 |
| Catcher | 2 |
| 1st Base | 3 |
| 2nd Base | 4 |
| 3rd Base | 5 |
| Short Stop | 6 |
| Left Field | 7 |
| Centerfield | 8 |
| Right Field | 9 |
Examples: So for a simple translation a 6-4-3 double plays occurs when the ball is hit to the shortstop (6), it is then thrown or flipped to the 2nd baseman (4) covering second base and then thrown to the first baseman (3). This would be 6-4-3 double play.
Another example if the 5-4-3 double play. This occurs when a ball is hit to the 3rd baseman (5) and then thrown to the second baseman (4) and then onto the first baseman (3). This would result in a 5-4-3 double play.
Why Double Plays Are Important – Defensive Perspective
Anytime you can get two outs on one batted ball, you have gained a major advantage in the game of baseball from a defensive side perspective. When a rally is taking place, nothing destroys a rally like a double play.
The pitcher is usually under some immense pressure and might be struggling, he is just hoping if the ball is hit that it is hit right at the infielder and the infielder can execute the play.
Here is a brief list of the reasons when double plays are important:
- Helps end a rally
- Limits a big offensive inning
- Helps keep pitch counts down
- Momentum swing for the defensive side
The play that comes to mind that really destroys a rally is a double play when the bases are loaded and there is one out. The ability to get a double play in this situation is huge and a game changer.
The defense is in a position where there is potential for a 1-4 run inning that might drastically alter the game. Instead, the pitcher is able to induce a ground ball and the infielders are able to do their job and turn the double play.
This helps reduce the big inning and keeps a team in the game. The double play is so valuable in getting outs and reducing the big inning. It helps keep a pitcher in the game and when a double play is an inning ending double play, the momentum quickly swings the other way.
The double plays helps keep the pitch count down of the pitcher. Pitch counts (total pitches thrown by a pitcher) are counted at all levels of baseball.
In fact, at the high school and little league levels there are often pitch count limits that a player can throw within a game or a week. The double play might help reduce the total pitches thrown in that inning by 20-30 if the pitcher would continue to struggle and the hitters battled deep into count on each at bat.
As a player, the double play was a vital play and when you were able to turn a double play, it gave you a boost of energy and a feeling that you are still in the game.
As the team was hitting, there was nothing worse than hitting into a double play. The feeling of letting your team down, by causing two outs on your batted ball is difficult to deal with, but also a part of the game.
This is one reason why speed is important in the game of baseball. That extra step a runner might have over someone else, can help save outs and might lead to more runs.
How To Turn Double Plays
Here are sportswarrio365, we always provide some tips on whatever topic we are discussing. Turn a double play is no different. We want to provide some quality tips if you are player or even if you are player or coach in your journey to support your team or your own kid.
Baseball is a game we have loved for a long time and played and coached for many years. To this day, we still coach, but instead of coaching high school baseball we are now coaching our own kids in little league baseball.
There are some vital skills that should be developed for turn the double plays in the infield. They include:
- Soft, Quick Hands
- Quick Release and Strong Arm
- Proper Footwork
In today’s era, we have access to some of the best instruction out there. Through videos online, many of which we have sorted through, we can provide the best tips that can help you get your game to the next level.
Soft, Quick Hands
A player must be able to field a ground ball, bring it up into their belly area and quickly toss or throw it for the first out. Playing infield overall, requires you do have soft hands.
Think of catching a baseball like catching an egg. You want to funnel the ball with soft and relaxed hands. You want to softly bring that ball in towards you body, quickly grip the ball and get it to the proper place. The player who has “stone” hands the ball will bounce right off and the play will be ruined.
Here are some great drills you can do in a small space to have soft, quick hands:
Quick Release and Strong Arm
All infields must have a quick release. The player only has to run anywhere from 60-90 feet, we don’t have all day to stare at the ball and be slow to get rid of it – especially as we try to get two outs in one play. The infielders must work on catching the ball, getting the body in the right positions and then making a quick, strong throw to the proper base.
Here is an excellent explanation and a drill that you can implement in your routine:
Proper Footwork
The proper footwork is essential for the shortstop (6) and the 2nd baseman (4) around the second base. They must be able to softly catch the ball, get a quick release, all while stepping on the bag and setting their feet up to make a strong, accurate throw.
It takes many hours of practice and repetition on a regular basis to become an expert at turning the double play. Keep in mind that as you are doing this, a base runner from 1st base is going to be sliding hard into 2nd base to try to mess you up.
Here is an excellent video on the footwork required of a shortstop to turn a double play with some excellent tips:
Related Questions
What is a Triple Play in Baseball?
Must less common then the double play in baseball, a triple play is when three outs are required in one play. For example, if there are runners on 1st and 2nd base and a ground ball is hit to the 3rd baseman, if he can quick step on 3rd base (1 out) throw it to 2nd base (2 outs) and get to the ball to the first baseman before the batter (3 outs) you might get a triple play.
Most triple plays will occur on a line driver, where the runners take off thinking that a base hit just happened, but an infielders makes an athletic catch on a line drive and the ball is quickly thrown to the bases where the runners had started.
What are some examples of uncommon double plays?
Any ball hit into the outfield that results in a double play, other than someone getting thrown out trying to tag up is pretty uncommon. You just don’t see many double plays when balls are hit to the outfield unless there is bad base running.
At the little league level you might see too many double plays on fly balls because runners at the youngest levels might be confused. Here are some other double plays we have seen that are unusual.
- 1-3-6
- 2-6-3
- 1-2-3
How can speed help me in baseball?
Speed can help reduce the number of double plays that you hit into as a hitter. The reality is that you are going to hit into some double plays, but having top end speed can help you beat out certain double plays or even ground balls to the infield. Your overall batting average will be higher and your runs scored will be higher because you will be able to steal bases and create new opportunities for your team.
Take Action
Baseball can be fun for people of all ages, whether you are watching or playing. Baseball is symbolic with summertime and the slow pace of the game allows us to enjoy the surroundings and the weather. On the nicest of days, many will want to play 2 (double header).
Go ahead and get out to a Major League Game (MLB) and watch the best players play. You will be certain to see a double play at some point of the game and make sure you watch for the footwork and the positioning of the players. The best defensive players are constantly ready for the ball, even if it is only hit to them a couple times a game.
If you are a player, make sure you check out those drills above and get out to practice. Find a way to constantly work on having soft hands and making quick transitions.
Playing the infield can be a blast as you are right there and there is a higher level of involvement than being in the outfield. Make sure you develop your skills to be an elite infielder if that is a goal of yours. And last but not least, respect the game and be a good teammate and opponent. The game should be fun and enjoyed by all!