Putout

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In baseball statistics, a putout (denoted by PO or fly ball when appropriate) is given to a defensive player who records an out by one of the following methods:

• tagging a runner with the ball when they are not touching a base
• touching a base that a runner on a force play is trying to reach
• catching a third strike
• catching a batted ball on the fly
• being positioned closest to a runner called out for interference

A putout is not recorded for players who throw the ball to another player to make a putout; they are given an assist instead. There is an exception: When the pitcher records a strikeout, no assist is recorded even though that pitcher threw the ball to the catcher, who was credited with a putout for catching the third strike.