Editing Putout (section)

{{Short description|Statistic for a defensive baseball player}}
[[Image:Baseball Play-at-first.jpg|thumb|300px|right|An attempted putout at first base.]]
In [[baseball statistics]], a '''putout''' ('''PO''') is awarded to a defensive player who (generally while in secure possession of the ball) records an [[out (baseball)|out]] by one of the following methods:

* [[tag play|Tagging]] a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base (a [[tag out|tagout]])
* Catching a batted or thrown ball and tagging a base to put out a batter or runner (a [[Force play|force out]], or if done after a flyout, a [[doubling off]])
* Catching a thrown ball and tagging a base to record an out on an [[appeal play]]
* Catching a [[strikeout|third strike]] (a [[strikeout]])
* Catching a batted ball on the [[Types of batted balls in baseball|fly]] (a [[flyout]])
* Being positioned closest to a runner called out for [[Interference (baseball)|interference]]

In a regulation nine-inning game, the winning team will always have a total of 27 putouts, as one putout is awarded for every defensive out made; this is one aspect of proving a [[box score (baseball)|box score]].

While the abbreviation for putout is "PO",<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/glossary/standard-stats/putout |title=Putout (PO) |website=MLB.com |accessdate=March 19, 2023}}</ref> [[baseball scorekeeping]] typically records the specific manner in which an out was achieved, without explicitly noting which player is awarded the putout for common plays. For example, a strikeout is recorded without noting the putout by the catcher, with additional detail only provided as needed. For example, "[[Travis Fryman|Fryman]] struck out (catcher to first)"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1996/B09180DET1996.htm |title=Boston Red Sox 4, Detroit Tigers 0 |website=[[Retrosheet]] |date= September 18, 1996 |accessdate=March 19, 2023}}</ref> in a play-by-play summary in reference to an out recorded following an [[uncaught third strike]], which indicates the putout was credited to the [[first baseman]] rather than the [[catcher]].