All right.
In this video, I'm going to.
Cover The most common ground.
Ball double plays that. You'll find in baseball.
So there's. Some really interesting ones.
Like the 3-6-1 You know.
The 2-6-3.
Some really rare ones that happen.
There's also some really common ones.
You probably heard. Of the 6-4-3 We're going to run down the whole.
List of different double plays.
That can happen in baseball.
All right. First, we had the brush up real quick for those of you.
Who are beginners of the different position numbers.
Because that's how these double plays are labeled.
6-4-3 means Shortstop to.
Second baseman to first baseman. So one is.
Pitcher, two is catcher, three is.
First baseman. Four is. Second baseman.
Six is the shortstop, five is the third.
Baseman.
And the outfielders don't really matter, but seven is left.
Field eight is.
Center field nine is the. Right fielder.
So those numbers are important to understand because that's.
How they. Correspond on any play on the field.
So a 6-4-3 Again, is A shortstop throws.
To second baseman who.
Throws to the first. Baseman.
1-2-3 double play
is as the pitcher throws to the catcher who throws to the first baseman.
So that's how these double plays are expressed.
In the. Scorebook.
The next thing I want to understand is that.
Ground ball double plays.
Only happen on medium or.
Hard hit ground. Balls.
This is a common misconception
that basically any groundball that's hit when the double play is in order, meaning.
There's at least one. Force out on the bases.
With less than two outs.
You know that every.
Ground ball is going to become a double play.
It's not. True. It's got to be hit pretty hard.
And. Relatively close to the fielder to become a double play.
Because if the shortstop has to run
12 feet after it, it's going to take too long.
By the time they field it, and then they have to make a throw.
And then there's the return throw to first base.
So double plays. Happened.
Very, very fast, especially the high level baseball
at high levels of baseball when runners are really fast.
They happen in a hurry. Medium or. Hard hit.
Ground balls are. Pretty much the only ones that ever become.
Double plays.
And before we finish today,
I want you to leave me a comment in the description below and tell me.
Which double play variation.
Is. Your favorite.
Okay, so let's start with a couple of.
Fun double. Plays that are a little more rare first.
So number one, the.
263 double play, this one is rare because it's the catcher throw.
Fielding it.
Throwing it to the shortstop.
At second base who's going to make the return, throw.
To first base. So two to 6 to 3.
This one is rare because it basically is a botched sacrifice bunt.
So if there's a runner on first and they're trying to bond him over to second.
If the if the batter bonds it like really terrible, like.
Only a foot in front of the plate, or maybe they bounce or they burn it
and it bounces off the plate and kind of bounces up in the. Air.
A good catcher. Is going to. Leap up, grab that with his bare.
Hands and quickly.
Fire that ball to.
Second base and that ball might be on its way to second.
Before the batter's even left. The box. Hardly.
And in that case. That double play.
Can happen. These are. Rare because, a.
That bond's got to be. Like literally right in.
Front of the plate, like within a couple of feet.
And that's a really long.
Throw to second base.
It's 127 feet from home plate to second base.
So that's a really long.
Throw, plus another 90 foot throw.
So this is going to be 217 feet of throwing to.
Get this double play to be completed.
So that's why these are really rare.
It really requires that botched sacrifice bunt.
But once in a while you see those and it's a pretty exciting play.
So that's the 263 double play.
All right.
Next is the five three double play.
And this one only. Requires two players.
And this one's fine.
It's only runners on first and second.
It can be sometimes on bases loaded, depending on the situation, but it's.
Usually.
Runners on first and second and one or.
Zero outs.
Every situation here is one.
Or zero or zero outs, obviously, but this is five three.
So it's hit to the.
Third baseman and instead of going to second, he's going to.
Just step on third and throw that long.
Throw that 120. Seven foot, throw between.
Third. And first.
And this one's just fun because. You see the.
Hitter panic as soon as they hit.
That ball, close the third
with runners on first and second, they're like, oh, crap.
Because obviously with. Zero fouls, this could be a triple play.
If they hit a rocket to third base, this could be.
One hop into the. Third baseman.
The glove steps on first goes, the.
Second goes the. First.
That could be a triple play.
But in most situations where it's not hit that.
Close the third or not hit that hard, the third baseman is going to field it.
And if they're still relatively even with the base,
they'll just take those couple of steps, plant the right foot.
And then they'll throw.
A absolute seed from third to first, which is what makes this play pretty fun.
The third baseman gets to show off his. Arm.
And it's just kind of like. I don't know, I.
Think it's a pretty double play.
So the five three is the groundwater third, where they step on third.
And throw a. Missile all the way. Across the diamond to first.
Base. Ah, the next is.
The 5 to 3 double place.
This one is going. To happen only when the. Bases are loaded and it's.
Similar to what. We just talked about, except.
They're not going to step on third base.
So in the.
5 to 3 double play,
if this ball's
hit like a little bit slower where the third baseman has to charge it.
He's not going to be.
To go back to third base to.
Step on it and then throw to second or third.
To first.
But with the bases loaded.
This is a good thing anyway, because he's going to go home.
To get the force out there.
And then the catcher is going to throw on to.
First base.
So this is also an interesting double play. It's a lot.
More rare because obviously the bases have to be loaded. And.
The ball is going to be hit to the third baseman where he charges.
If he doesn't have a charge, if he kind of.
Can stay as ground, then he'll probably just touch on third and then go to second.
But always depends.
But again, this is when the ground.
Balls hit the third, the shorts, the third baseman charges.
And that makes essentially his only first.
Out to get a double play has to.
Be home then on the. First.
So 5 to 3 double play.
Are the next one is the. Three two double. Play. And this.
One only has to is because it's going to be a tag situation for the.
Second one.
This is the same situation as.
The 5 to 3 double play.
Except on the first base side.
A lot more often the first baseman is going to be, you know, close to the bag.
And of course, he could charge it, throw home.
Then back to. First with a three to double play.
What you'll see is the.
First baseman will field it step 1/1.
Because he's close to first base because.
He may be holding the runner.
Or you. Just may be closer to first base in general.
But if a groundball to the first with the bases loaded, the first.
Baseman can. Field it step 1/1.
So that force out is done.
And now.
Because he got that force.
Out, there's no longer a. Force at home plate.
So that's why the. Catcher is going to be the last man to touch. It.
So it's three.
He steps on on first.
Base, he throws to the catcher.
The catcher is got to catch. It and lay.
Down attack
typically he'll have a lot of time to do is because of its hit to first base
and he's close.
He's going to run over tag the base now
the third is on the way and the runner is probably not.
That close to the plate.
All right. Next is the. Famous.
Six for three double play. This is the one you see on t shirts.
Sometimes six plus four plus three equals two.
So the six for three double play is a ground ball hit, two short throws.
The second throws to first. Right. Pretty straightforward.
Now, it's not as straightforward for the second baseman.
This one's tough any time.
The second baseman takes the throw,
he's got a runner barreling down him and he's standing at the base
pretty much waiting with not much momentum.
So the second baseman's. Job is to read the.
Throw and sort of go with. It.
So if it's kind of to his glove side, towards the first base.
Side, he might reach and step that. Way.
If the throw is towards center field.
He might reach and then get his distance from the runner.
That way.
But the runners can be bearing down the second baseman.
This is. Also where.
You'll see the second baseman jump over the runner a lot of times to.
Try to get out of their way.
So the.
Second baseman has a really fun, interesting.
Complex job.
I don't know if they would say it's fun, but it's exciting
for at least for the fans as they try to avoid this field, this base runner.
Barreling down into him because he's planted more or less at second base.
Rate of field that. Throw from the. Shortstop.
All right.
Next is the 463 double play.
I think this is the most.
Like beautiful.
One in the middle infield.
Because the shortstop gets to keep.
All the momentum.
So the second. Baseman fields it.
He's going to throw the.
Shortstop.
Who's got his momentum running towards second base.
He's going to catch it.
He's going to swing. Up his.
Foot along the back. Side of the bag.
And then get some distance.
Outside of the base.
Path to make that. Throw to first base.
So this is just a really graceful move.
Obviously, the shortstop is one of the best.
Athletes on the field, if not. The very best athlete.
And this one just. Really shows the shortstops athleticism.
So it's really interesting to watch. Their footwork.
And just.
Watch how this play flows together, both with. Timing.
Like, right, the throw has got to. Be timed well to.
The shortstop and the shortstops got to keep. Their momentum.
Slide, touch that, base.
Their foot and then get. Out of the baserunners way.
So all that stuff. Happens on the same play.
So we don't appreciate just how cool the 463 double play is.
It's really impressive. The athleticism.
And just.
The skill of even just the.
Common shortstop in baseball.
All right. Next number seven.
This is the. Five for three double play.
And this is, you know, a pretty standard one, groundball to third.
He goes to. Second. Who.
Returns. To throw to first.
So this is a throw.
Again, what you'll see is a short the third baseman.
Sort of ranging.
Towards short and will cut the ball off early.
The third baseman should always cut. Off any groundball that he can because.
He's closer to the plate.
But the third.
Baseman has.
Usually the. Strongest arm in the infield.
Or at least as strong as the shortstop, because they have such a long.
Sort of makes this one can be tough to turn
because it can be a really long throw from third to second
and then along a third from. Second to first, obviously that. Full 90.
Foot throw.
But the third baseman also is going to have the ball in his glove faster.
Than pretty much any other fielder.
Except for the pitcher because he's.
Playing the hot corner
and right handed hitters are down there smoking balls at him.
The ball is going to be in his mitt.
A lot of times really, really quick.
So the five for three double play is another just sort of old faithful
double play.
All right.
So let's go back to catcher pivot double plays.
So another standard one is the 1 to 3.
And this is one that's hit.
Back to the pitcher with the bases.
Loaded, a comebacker and the pitcher who's number one, he's going to.
Throw the catcher, who's number two. Who is then going to sort of.
Act like first. Baseman does. What the catcher will do on any.
Double play.
Turn is they'll.
Try to reach. Out and catch the.
Ball towards the pitcher.
So then they're going to move into the infield grass
and so they can get some angle on that throw. To first base.
They don't want to be in a position. Where the catcher is.
Throwing directly into the.
Back.
Of the runner as they're barreling down the first. Base.
So pitchers are going to get it. Throw the catcher.
Catcher is going to step out if they catch it.
And make a quick throw. To first base.
The thing to note about 1 to 3 double.
Plays is these should be really easy.
But pitchers.
If you're not familiar with the yips.
Pitchers, I was a pitcher.
We get the.
Yips when we just threw ball 92 miles per hour and now we've got to make.
A 40 foot throw to our catcher right there.
We kind of. Like don't know how hard.
To throw it.
It's a weird. Phenomenon.
Now, the. Other double play that pitchers.
Are involved in is the 163 in this one, pitchers make a lot more.
Reliably.
I mean, they make the 1 to 3. Reliably, but.
The one six. Three.
Is a comebacker and the pitcher is going to turn to his glove.
Side.
And then usually take a one quick shuffle and then fire.
It straight, straight. Over second base.
To the shortstop. Who should be running over there.
This double play requires a lot of.
Timing and you would think, well, shouldn't need it.
As soon as he gets the ball, throw. It to second base.
The pitcher is only 60 feet away.
Right, especially after he does his deliveries only like 55 feet away.
So if he gets a comebacker, it's going to be in.
His glove in no time.
And so the shortstop is not going to be at second base yet.
So this is why that's the pitcher.
Even though he's ready to start this double play.
He needs a turn.
Amy is usually.
One shuffle and that gives. The.
Shortstop time to get closer to second base.
And then he's going to fire. That ball over.
Second base with not anyone there yet.
And the shortstop is going to be coming just in the frame
to catch it, keep his momentum, and then swing the bag and then make that.
Throw to first.
So this double.
Play, in my opinion, is a really beautiful one also.
Because it requires a lot of complex. Timing.
It's not that complex once you. Get used to it.
But if you really think about all the stuff
I just said, the fact that you've got to wait
for the shortstop to get there, you can't throw where the shortstop is.
You got to throw where the shortstop will be.
It requires a lot of moving pieces.
But this one's a little mentally.
Easier for pitchers because you're just.
Doing it and you're not thinking about it so.
Much. Right? Whereas the catcher. Situation, the one, two, three.
You're like, Oh, God, don't throw it away. He's only 40 feet away.
This one, you can throw it hard to second base
and you're just doing the sort of athletic move
that you don't think about as much, and we don't think about it as much.
You let your practice take over and you just like, boom, you execute.
But as a former pitcher, this one is. Fun.
Because you feel really accomplished, like you're.
Part of the infield when you when you make this double play.
So it's nice to get an infield
chance that isn't just a boring bonds or, you know, like running.
To cover first base.
This one's like, yeah, I was a part of that double play.
I'm important art in the.
Last three.
Variations are all essentially the same kind of.
Double player. They all start. The same way, which.
Is a36, the three six tag
or the 363 or the three six. One.
So this is a ground ball hit to the first.
Baseman who's then going to throw it to second.
Base where the shortstop will field this throw.
And then.
Either they're going to throw it back to first for the third baseman.
To catch. The OR for the. First baseman to catch.
The pitcher to catch or there'll be a tag at second.
So let's go through all these.
So this one's really. Interesting and it can be hard to. Pick up.
So the 363 is.
When again the first baseman feels it.
Throws. To second base. For the force out.
And then the first baseman will have to retreat.
Back to first base to be a first.
Baseman and catch the return throw.
Now, this is going to depend on.
Where the first. Baseman is. Relative to first base.
If the first baseman has to.
Range toward second to feel the ground ball,
then he's definitely going to throw to second and get the force out.
If he's really far, then the pitcher who will be.
Running. Over.
Will run over and replace him at first base and catch the return throw.
That will be a361.
So the first. Baseman has.
To charge the ball or run a little bit. Towards second to field. It.
Therefore he's too far away from the bag.
He throws the second to get the force out.
Then they throw back to the pitcher who has to run over.
Find the base.
And catch the throw the 363. Is when.
The first baseman fields
it relatively close to first base but still opts to throw to second base.
First they get the first.
Out, then the first baseman turns around, finds the bag and catches.
The throws. Three, six back, two three.
Now the three.
Six tag is.
When the is hit.
More towards first base.
Where it makes sense because he's.
So close to tag first base and get the force out there.
And then throw to second it.
At which point they will have to tag. The runner.
So on the three. Six.
Again, this is. Close to first base.
The first baseman catches it, makes a decision, steps.
On first base will yell tag.
So that everyone knows.
That they have to. Tag him because.
Sometimes it can be tough to tell. From afar.
And they're focusing on, you know, getting where they need to be.
He'll step on first yellow tag, throw it to first base.
Throw it to second base and they'll catch and put the tag down.
The runner.
That's a pretty it's.
A pretty unique play, for. Sure.
And then the thing to note.
About the 361 is it's hard as a pitcher.
I hate to have them do this because a the ball I make my pitch
they hit the ball to first base.
I'm immediately sprinting to first and now I've got to find the.
Bag I like just. Got there. And now the shortstop. Is ready to.
Throw it to me. I just got there. I got to find it.
And now I've got a stretch.
Look for the ball, figure out where it is.
It's really easy as a pitcher to run over there.
Catch the ball and then realize you're not touching the base.
And then hopefully you look down and you've got another.
Step or two. Where you can go, okay, there it is, boom.
And step one before the runner. Gets over there.
So you practice this a. Lot and.
PSP is, which is pitcher's fielding practice.
Just getting comfortable running over and finding the base and then being ready to.
Take that throw because it has to be pretty automatic.
Otherwise it's real easy to catch that throw and realize that you don't.
You haven't found the base yet. But you can't look down for the base.
And you'll where the throw in the mouth
and eat the baseball and then everyone's safe.
So that's it.
I hope you enjoyed this. Video about double plays with a.
Little bit of my insight here.
As a former pro pitcher, leave. Me a comment. Below.
What is your favorite double play variation?
Mine, I think, is the 163.
Pitcher back to short back to first by love to hear yours.
Thanks for watching. And I'll see you in the next video.