Baseball is a fun game that is full of rules, strategies, and traditions. Although there are complex words in the documentary that will complicate the process of understanding the game, worry not! This will help you jog your memory about double play and the types of it.
To understand 4 6 3 double play, you must first understand double play. It is a defensive play that results in two outs of a player in one play. If you have watched baseball on TV, you must have heard the announcer talk about what kind of double play just happened.
It can be 4 6 3 or 6 4 3. These numbers indicate two things: the defensive players that were involved and the sequence of events in which the double play occurred. Let us look into more detail at the 4 6 3 double play!
Baseball Positions
To understand the double play and the players involved, learn the baseball positions and assigned numbers of each player on the diamond. There are nine positions in a baseball match, and every player is associated with a specific number. The defensive position plays a key role here as they determine how this plays out. The assigned numbers are as follows:
- pitcher
- catcher
- first baseman
- second baseman
- third baseman
- shortstop
- left fielder.
- Center fielder
- right fielder
When the announcer is documenting the game, he does not have enough time to name the players due to the fast-paced nature of the game. Therefore, the commentary is based on the numbers of the positions. It not only increases efficiency but also makes sure that the game is fair and that there is no negativity associated with the player. On top of that, it avoids any confusion that might occur in the game.
Hence, the 4 6 3 double play is associated with the 4 6 3 players naming the second baseman, the shortstop, and the first baseball, respectively. Let us explore how they engage in the famous 4 6 3 double play.
Order of Events in a 4 6 3 Double Play
To finish the puzzle and to understand exactly what 4 6 3 double play is, we need to understand the order of events. The order of events is dependent on the sequence of the number that comes before the double play. In this case, four is the second base, six is the shortstop, and lastly, three is the first baseman, who plays a role in this double play in this exact sequence as well.
This makes it easier to put in the scorebooks as well, and now you know the positions as well as the sequences of the events just by looking at 3 numbers. For example, if there were three defensive players, the first one being the number 4 fielded the ball, the second number will highlight who had the first throw to out, and then the last to know who received the ball for the second out.
4 6 3 Double Plays
The 4 6 3 play is one of the most common plays in MLB. In this play, the player on second base (4) fields the ball and throws it to the shortstop (6), who gets the force out at second base, and he throws the ball to the first baseman (3), who gets the batter out.
Unassisted Double Play
Unassisted double play does not occur all the time, but it is a possibility. In a certain scenario where the runner on first and the batter hits the line drive to the first base is tagged before he reaches back, the first baseman was the only person who contributed to this double play.
Hence, it would be known as an unassisted double play. The scorekeepers write it down in two ways: one is 3US, and the other is 3UNA double play. Both mean the same thing; there are just two different ways of writing it.
Importance Of 4 6 3 Double Play
Double plays are a team’s faithful friends in need. It can be a pivotal point for either of the teams, as double play can make or break the match for the defensive team. The quicker the team gets out, multiple especially, the more chances they have of getting back on the offense and scoring more runs.
Moreover, the 4 6 3 double play requires a keen sense of teamwork and strategic decision-making. The shortstop is faced with a second decision of whether to pass the ball at the second base or find an alternative solution. The second baseman must also be quick on their feet in case the ball is in their direction.
Conclusion for What is a 4 6 3 Double Play in Baseball?
Double play plays a vital role for the defensive team. The 4 6 3 double play has shown to be an effective way to get those multiple outs. It highlights the dynamics of the team as this is a little complicated to pull off. 4, 6, and 3 are more than mere numbers in baseball. So next time you are watching TV, keep your eyes peeled for a 4 6 3 or a 6 3 4. This time, they will mean more than just complicated baseball slang!