Double Play question

[JasonTX]

I was flipping the channels the other day and seen a double play. What draws my curiousity was with the commentators. The play developed and the commentators said, "6, 3, double play." I've also heard some games where they said, "4, 3, double play." What the heck does the numbers signify? Why not just say, "Double Play?"

[Dave Hensley]

Originally Posted by JasonTX

I was flipping the channels the other day and seen a double play. What draws my curiousity was with the commentators. The play developed and the commentators said, "6, 3, double play." I've also heard some games where they said, "4, 3, double play." What the heck does the numbers signify? Why not just say, "Double Play?"

The numbers tell the reader what defensive fielders participated in the play. 6-3 means the shortstop (F6) completed the play with the first baseman (F3).

You have to know how field positions are numbered to understand the shorthand.

[aceholleran]

Originally Posted by JasonTX

I was flipping the channels the other day and seen a double play. What draws my curiousity was with the commentators. The play developed and the commentators said, "6, 3, double play." I've also heard some games where they said, "4, 3, double play." What the heck does the numbers signify? Why not just say, "Double Play?"

Gang, as a preamble, take it easy on Jason.

Numbers 1-9 are used for scoring. We umps tend to use them in describing sitches, preceded by "F."

P=1; C=2; 1B=3; 2B=4, 3B=5; SS=6; LF=7; CF=8; RF=9. A standard double play, orgininating at short would be scored 6-4-3.

In addition, most umps use R1-R3 to designate runners' bases at the time of the pitch, plus B for the batter and/or B-R for the batter-runner.

You'll see (on this board and elsewhere), things like "F9 makes catch and throws to F3 to double off R1."

Ace

[LMan]

Now, its time to wonder why the SS is F6 instead of F5.....

[scott1231]

Originally Posted by LMan

Now, its time to wonder why the SS is F6 instead of F5.....

I've had that same thought.

I believe, originally, the SS was thought of as a rover-type.
Thus they "numbered" the bases, then SS (semi-OF), then OF.

[CoachTex]

If F4 is 2B and F6 is SS and F5 is 3B and BR is at the plate then Who's on first?

[mcrowder]

F3 of course.

[LLPA13UmpDan]

Originally Posted by CoachTex

If F4 is 2B and F6 is SS and F5 is 3B and BR is at the plate then Who's on first?

haha U1?

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by CoachTex

If F4 is 2B and F6 is SS and F5 is 3B and BR is at the plate then Who's on first?

I'm going to go with R1.

[SAump]

Originally Posted by CoachTex

If F4 is 2B and F6 is SS and F5 is 3B and BR is at the plate then Who's on first?

Who is on first.

http://www.holysmoke.org/wb/wb0320.htm

[bluezebra]

Originally Posted by CoachTex

If F4 is 2B and F6 is SS and F5 is 3B and BR is at the plate then Who's on first?

That's right.

Bob

[bluezebra]

Originally Posted by JasonTX

I was flipping the channels the other day and seen a double play. What draws my curiousity was with the commentators. The play developed and the commentators said, "6, 3, double play." I've also heard some games where they said, "4, 3, double play." What the heck does the numbers signify? Why not just say, "Double Play?"

When the official scorer reports on the game, he has to account for everything that happens. The numbers are a baseball shorthand.

In "6-3. double play", it means the SS took the ground ball, stepped on 2B, and threw to F3 (first baseman) for the second out. If the SS (F6) caught a line drive or fly ball, then threw to 1B, it would be recorded, "L6-3", or "F6-3". "4-6-3" means F4 to F6 to F3, or 2B-SS-1B.

Bob