Editing Double play (section)

==Examples==
The simplest scenario for a double play is a runner on first base with less than two outs. In that context, five example double plays are:
* The '''batter hits a [[ground ball]]'''
** to an [[infielder]] or the pitcher, who throws the ball to one of the [[middle infielder]]s, who steps on second base to [[Force play|force out]] the runner coming from first (first out), and then throws the ball to the [[first baseman]] in time to force out the [[Batting (baseball)|batter]] (second out). As both outs are made by force plays, this is referred to as a "force double play".<ref name=rulebook>{{cite web | url=https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/mlb/hhvryxqioipb87os1puw.pdf | website=Major League Baseball | title=Official Baseball Rules (2022 Edition) | format=PDF | access-date=21 Dec 2022}}</ref> This is the most common double play. The [[neighborhood play]] is a source of controversy, as umpires sometimes call the runner at second base out despite the infielder not clearly touching that base, but merely being "in the neighborhood".
** to the first baseman, who steps on first base to force out the batter (first out), and with the baserunner trying to advance from first base to second base, throws the ball to the [[shortstop]] who puts out the runner (second out). This is referred to as a "reverse force double play",<ref name=rulebook /> although executing the first out removes the condition that forced the runner to take second base. The second out is not a force play and must be made with a [[Tag out|tag]].
* The '''batter hits the ball in the air'''
** a line drive to the first baseman, who catches it (first out), and then steps on first base before the baserunner can return to first to [[tag up]] (second out). This is also an example of an unassisted double play.
** a deep [[Batted ball#Fly ball|fly ball]] to the [[right fielder]], who catches it (first out), meanwhile the baserunner tags up and attempts to advance, and the outfielder throws the ball to the shortstop who tags the runner before he reaches second base (second out).
* The '''batter [[Strikeout|strikes out]]''' (first out)
** Meanwhile, the runner attempts to [[Stolen base|steal]] second base, and the [[catcher]] throws the ball to a [[Infielder#Middle infielders|middle infielder]], who tags the runner before he reaches the base (second out). This is colloquially known as a "strike 'em out, throw 'em out" double play.

Double plays can occur in many ways in addition to these examples, and can involve many combinations of fielders. A double play can include an out resulting from a rare event, such as [[interference (baseball)|interference]] or an [[appeal play]].

===Recordkeeping===
Per standard [[baseball positions]], the examples given above are recorded, respectively, as:
:* 4-6-3 ([[second baseman]] to shortstop to first baseman) or 6-4-3 (shortstop to second baseman to first baseman). Other combinations start with 1 ([[pitcher]]), 3 (first baseman), or (5 [[third baseman]]), followed by 6-3 or 4-3 depending on which middle infielder is covering second base on the play.
:* 3-6 (first baseman to shortstop) 
:* 3 (first baseman), unassisted
:* 9-6 (right fielder to shortstop)
:* K (strike out), 2-6 CS (caught stealing, catcher to shortstop) or 2-4 CS (caught stealing, catcher to second baseman)
{{anchor|GIDP}}
Double plays that are initiated by a batter hitting a ground ball are recorded in baseball statistics as '''GIDP''' (grounded into double play). This statistic has been tracked since 1933 in the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] and since 1939 in the [[American League]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/GIDP_leagues.shtml | website=Baseball Reference | title=Yearly League Leaders & Records for Double Plays Grounded Into | access-date=22 Oct 2016}}</ref> This statistic does not include line-outs into double plays, for which there is no official statistic for a batter.