Double play
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- This article is about baseball. For double play magnetic tape, see audio tape length and thickness. For the jazz album, see Double Play!.
In baseball, a double play (denoted on statistics sheets by DP) for a team or a fielder is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. In baseball slang, making a double play is referred to as "turning two", or as Ernie Harwell has coined it, "two for the price of one".
Double plays are also known as "the pitcher's best friend" because they disrupt offense more than any other play, except for the rare triple play. Pitchers often select pitches that make a double play more likely (typically a pitch easily hit as a ground ball to a middle infielder) and teams on defense alter infield positions to make a ground ball more likely to be turned into a double play. Because a double play ends an inning in a one-out situation, it makes the scoring of a run impossible in that inning. In a one-out situation the double play may be so desirable (runners at first base and third base) that the defensive team allows a runner to score from third base so that two outs are made and further scoring by the batting team is more difficult.
Double plays into which a batter hits ground balls (but not fly balls or line drives) to initiate are recorded in the official statistic GIDP, an indicator of one form of batting ineptitude. Should a run score on a play in which a batter hits into a double play (the first-and-third, none out situation), official rules of scoring deny the batter credit for an RBI, although the batter always gets credit for an RBI on a one-out groundout or a fielders' choice play in which a baserunner scores.
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[edit] Types of Double Plays
[edit] Common Double Plays
The most common type of double play occurs with a runner on first base and a ground ball hit towards the middle of the infield. The fielder (generally the shortstop or second baseman) with the ball steps on second base before the runner from first arrives to force that runner out, and then throws the ball to the first baseman to force out the batter for the second out. If the ball originated with the shortstop and was then thrown to the second baseman, the play is referred to as a "6-4-3 double play", after the numbers assigned to the players in order of field position; if it is hit to the second baseman and then thrown to the shortstop, it is known as a 4-6-3 double play (6-shortstop, 4-second base, 3-first base; see baseball scorekeeping). A slightly less common ground ball double play is the 5-4-3 double play, also called the "Around the Horn" double play which occurs on a ground ball hit to the third baseman (5), who throws to the second baseman (4) at second base, who then throws to the first baseman (3). Comparatively few third basemen succeed often at turning such double plays which require a third baseman with good range and a great throwing arm (example: Brooks Robinson).
Double plays also occur on ground balls hit to the pitcher. Most of the time, these double plays will go 1-6-3 (pitcher to shortstop to first baseman), though sometimes these double plays will go pitcher 1-4-3 (pitcher to second baseman to first baseman). 6-3 and 4-3 double plays occur on ground balls to the shortstop or second baseman, respectively, which the fielder takes for an unnasisted putout at second before throwing to first. The 3-6-3 double play occurs on a ground ball to the first baseman, who fires to the shorstop at second base before stepping on first. Thus, the shortstop can throw back to the first baseman, who is still able to get the force out at first. Variants of this double play include the 3-6-1 double play (where the pitcher covers first) and the 3-6-4 double play (where the second baseman covers first). Also, the first baseman may choose to retire the batter at first before throwing to the shortstop at second, who then tags the runner coming from first (tag because the force has been removed).
Another class of double plays include those in which infielders catch line drives and then throw or run to a base to catch an baserunner who who fails to return to the base from which he has started. The batter is out because his ball has been caught on the fly, and a runner is out at another base. Thus if a batter hits a line drive to the second baseman (any other infielder or the pitcher will suffice) that a baserunner from first base thinks is a clean hit and the second baseman catches before it drops, then the second baseman can throw to first base to the fielder (usually the first baseman) covering the base; should the first baseman either touch first base with any part of his body (usually his feet) or tag 6the baserunner returning to first (not necessary), then a double play is completed. More rare is an unassisted double play in which the fielder catches a line drive and either tags a runner off base or reaches a base that a baserunner cannot return.
On occasion, bad bunts can result in double plays. An attempted sacrifice bunt may be laid down so ineptly that a charging pitcher, first baseman or catcher (the typical initiators of such plays) fields the ball, throws to second base to force a runner, and the shortstop (usual fielder at second base on a bunt play) then throws to the fielder covering first base (usually the second baseman) to put out the batter. With a runner on first base, should the batter bunt a ball fair as an infield fly, the infield fly rule that protects baserunners is no longer applicable. At his discretion the fielder in position to catch the bunted fly ball may elect to 'trap' the fly ball (that is, put his glove on the ground but under the ball and catch it) or (a fielder is not allowed to drop a ball deliberately to force runners to advance) or catch it on a short bounce, in which case the runner at first must reach second base before a throw is made to second base, and if he hasn't made an effective run to second base, then he is easily put out and the fielder covering second base can throw to first base to complete the double play. But should the runner at first stray too far from first base and the infielder catches the pop fly, the infielder gets the out for catching an infield fly and throws to first base to complete the double play.
[edit] Rare Double Plays
Another double play occurs when a fly ball is hit to the outfield and caught, but a runner on the basepaths strays too far away from his base. If the ball is thrown back to that base before the runner returns or tags up to go to the next base, the runner is out along with the batter for a double play. In a strike-'em-out-throw-'em-out double play, immediately after the batter has swung and missed at the third strike or taken a called third strike, the catcher throws out a baserunner who is attempting to steal second (2-6, usually) or third base (2-5), or perhaps some complicated rundown play.
Two others involve outfield flies: more commonly a baserunner takes off from third base on an outfield fly, attempting to score before a throw from the outfielder (more rarely an infielder) can be thrown to the catcher. Should the catcher tag the runner before he can score, the play is considered a double play. Similar plays can be made at second base or third base, or in rundown plays on the infield. Many outfield assists are made on such plays, and even the best outfielders at making assists make about twenty such plays a year.
Far rarer is a play in which the runner takes off before the outfielder catches the fly ball and attempts to score. As a rule the double play is completed after the pitcher receives the ball and throws to the base that the runner has left too soon; on appeal the base-runner who took off too early is called out on an appeal play.
A rare double play that can only take place with the bases loaded is the "3-2-3 double play" - a sharply-hit ball down the first base line is fielded by the first baseman, who fires to home to force the runner coming in from third, the catcher then returns the ball to the first baseman to retire the batter. Such a double play ended the top half of the 8th inning during Game 7 of the 1991 World Series: With one out and the bases loaded, Atlanta's Sid Bream rocketed a ground ball at Twins first baseman Kent Hrbek, who fielded it and threw it to catcher Brian Harper to retire Lonnie Smith at home, Harper then threw back to Hrbek to retire the side. Another rare double play is the "1-2-3 double play" in which the pitcher initiates the play by fielding the ground ball and throws to the catcher, forcing a runner from third base, the catcher then completing the double play by throwing to first base to put out the batter. Such a play occurred in the no-hit shutout that Jack Morris pitched in 1984.
Another rare situation is the unassisted double play, which generally occurs when the second baseman or shortstop catches a soft, low line drive to retire the batter and steps on second base to put out the runner (by an obvious appeal) before he can tag up. In the bottom half of the aforementioned 8th inning, Atlanta Braves second baseman Mark Lemke executed such a play, retiring Hrbek with the catch and stepping on the bag to retire Chuck Knoblauch. An unassisted double play can occur on first or third base as well, but most often happens at second.
[edit] Strategy
Almost invariably highly desirable to the pitching team and highly undesirable to the batting team, the double play often proves critical to wins and losses of specific games. The pitching team is likely to change pitch selection and defensive alignment to make one of the more common double plays -- the ones involving infield ground balls -- more likely. Batting teams may adapt themselves to thwart or even exploit the situation.
A so-called double-play position involves the second baseman and shortstop moving away from second base so that one of the fielders can field a ground ball and the other can run easily to second base to catch a ball thrown to him so that he can tag the base before the baserunner from first base can reach second base, the infielder tagging second base then throwing to first base to complete the double play. The pitcher tries to throw a pitch in the strike zone that, if hit, is likely to be grounded to an infielder (or the pitcher) and turned into a double play. If the batter fails to hit the pitch it is a strike that puts the batter in a more difficult position if he doesn't strike out. This strategy is not without its dangers; a pitcher with poor command of the strike zone may throw a ball that makes a walk that worsens his predicament; likewise, if he throws a poor pitch he might give the batter a ball that he can hit hard 'up the middle' that gets past the middle infielders as a hit.
In a situation with runners on second and third and fewer than two outs a team may decide to give an intentional pass to a hitter, often a slow base runner especially who is perceived as one of the more dangerous hitters on the team or to the pitcher. A double play is then possible on a ground ball to a middle infielder. This is an even riskier play for the defense because although the same risk of a poor pitch being hit hard up the middle as a single exists, and
(1) a subsequent walk scores a run, or
(2) the batter reaching first base on the intentional walk may score on subsequent plays should no outs be made.
Very often a new (relief) pitcher comes in to continue the game. This situation allows a great reward to the pitching team should it succeed (far less opportunity of scoring) but also great reward to the batting team should it fail.
Batting teams can select lineups to reduce the likelihood of double plays by alternating slow right-handed hitters with left-handed hitters or hitters who are fast baserunners, or by putting a slow-running slugger (typically a catcher) in a low spot in the batting order (often #7 where there is no designated hitter). In a situation with a double play is possible, the batting team can
- attempt to steal second base if it is unoccupied (but only with a fast base runner)
- bunt, which is more likely to result in an out, but advance the baserunner and prevent a double play
- avoid swinging at pitches likely to become infield ground outs or foul them off
- avoid pulling the ball (a ground ball "pulled" by a right-handed batter to the left side of the infield is a likely double-play ball)
- 'hit and run' -- which means that the baserunner on first must run to second in the hope that the batter makes contact with the pitch
- try to hit the ball as a long fly ball, ideally a home run
All of these strategies entail risk and may be inappropriate and impossible, or may throw away an opportunity. A stolen base attempt ensures that the runner on first base is either at second (making a double play impossible) or out (likewise, but with an out and the loss of a baserunner). Some batters cannot bunt well, and bad bunts can themselves result in double plays. Avoiding the double-play pitch may mean taking a called strike. Not pulling the ball implies throwing away the only possibility of a home run that scores two or more runs. The hit-and-run play requires that the batter hit the ball, lest the baserunner be caught stealing on a throw from the catcher to the shortstop or second baseman covering second base and makes a pick-off of a baserunner more likely. A strikeout-prone hitter who swings wildly in the hope of getting a pitch that he can hit as a long fly ball as a sacrifice fly, double, triple, or home run is more likely to strike out.
Because the rarer double plays require baserunning errors, no team relies upon them to get out of a bad situation unless the opportunity arises.
A specific game of baseball often depends upon whether a double play is made or is not made in a critical situation in which either multiple runs score or the defense is able to frustrate a rally. Although it is best for the pitching team to not put runners on base at all, few pitchers are so effective that they do not give up enough hits and walks to allow double plays to be made. Even Sandy Koufax or Roger Clemens, extreme strikeout pitchers, could use the aid of a double play on occasion. Pitchers of lesser distinction often need double plays just to remain in the game.
[edit] Summary
For every 100 double plays that go 6-4-3, there are:
- 83 which go 4-6-3
- 53 which go 5-4-3
- 27 which go 6-3
- 20 which go 1-6-3
- 19 which go 4-3
- 9 which go 3-6-3
- 5 which go 3-6-1
- 4 which go 1-4-3
- 4 which go 3-6
- 1 which goes 3-6-4
The ability to "make the pivot" on an infield double play, i.e. receive a throw from the third-base side, then turn and throw the ball to first in time to force-out the batsman, while avoiding being run into by the runner, is considered the key skill for a second baseman.
As of 2005 Cal Ripken, Jr. holds the major league record for most double plays grounded into in a career, with 350. He also holds the American League record for most double plays made by a shortstop. Both records are probably a consequence of his longevity as a player and the long grass at the Baltimore baseball stadium (Camden Yards).
A triple play involves three outs during the same continuous playing action, and is much rarer because, at the start of the play, there have to be no out and at least 2 runners on base.
[edit] References
- James, Bill (2002). The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract. The Free Press. ISBN 0-684-80697-5.
(see Granny Hamner comment, SS # 76)
