Ground Ball Double Play (DP)

Let’s keep it simple here. A Double Play is making two outs on the same play. The common type of double play happens with a runner on first base and a ground ball to any of the infielders.

There are so many types of double plays but this guide focuses on the ground ball. Remember, it is focused for youth baseball leagues and double plays are not that common. Let’s take an example:

There are no outs and a runner on first base.

The batter hits a ground ball to the shortstop.

The shortstop throws the ball to the second baseman covering second base.

The second baseman catches the ball, tags second base with his foot before the runner from first reaches it and throws the ball to the first baseman at the first base bag.

The first baseman catches the ball and tags first base with his foot before the batter.

DOUBLE PLAY!

This is recorded as a DP 6-4-3 where “DP” represents Double Play and the “6″ represents the shortstop catching the ground ball, while the”4″ represents the second baseman catching the ball, tagging the base before the runner gets there (recording the first out), and the “3″ represents the first baseman catching the ball and tagging the base before the runner (recording the second out).

The results of the Ground Ball Double Play is recorded in both the batter and base runners cell as follows:

• The number (”1″ with a circle around it) is entered in the upper right hand corner of the base runner’s cell to represent the first out of the inning.
• The entry DP 6-4-3 is written across the cell of the batter to represent the double play.
• The number (”2″ with a circle around it) is entered in the upper right hand corner of the base runner’s cell to represent the second out of the inning.
• The batter is not credited with an RBI if a run scores during a ground ball double play.