When batting, what are all of the ways the player can get on base?

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An out is a concept in baseball that describes when a player, who is either currently at-bat or on-base as a base runner, is taken out of play. The team that is at-bat is on offense. Once they get three outs, the half-inning is over and teams switch roles on the field. Each team on offense has an indefinite number of chances to score per each half-inning. However, their chances are limited by outs. When a player gets out in baseball the umpire will signal an out using his dominant arm and yell “Out!”

Ways To Get Outs

In baseball, there are lots of ways the batter and base runners can get out. Here is a complete list of ways players get out in baseball:

EXAMPLE SITUATIONOUT OR SAFEA batter gets three strikesoutA fielder catches a fly balloutA fielder touches the ball to a base runner who off baseoutA fielder drops a fly ball and the base runner touches the base before they can be thrown outsafeThe batter or base runner runs into a fielderoutA base runner runs past another base runneroutA base runner goes 3ft outside the base pathoutA base runner fails to touch a base in orderoutThe batter swings and misses on the third strike, but the catcher drops it and the base runner reaches first before the catcher can throw the ball to the first basemansafe

Strikeouts

Umpires call pitches as either strikes or balls depending on how the pitch crosses the strike zone. A strikeout is when a batter gets called for three strikes by the umpire while at-bat. There are three different types of strikeouts that can occur:

• Strikeout looking: A strikeout in which the batter takes strike three
• Strikeout swinging: A strikeout in which the batter swings and misses for strike three
• Foul tip strikeout: A strikeout in which the batter tips the ball backwards, but the catcher is able to catch the ball

If the batter hits the ball into the air and a fielder catches it, the batter is out. This is called a catch. Fielders use their gloves to grab the ball out of the air while it is falling from the sky. Fielders must catch the ball out of the air before it touches the ground, otherwise the base runner still has a chance to get on base.

Foul Outs

Foul outs are a specific type of catch that happens in foul territory. While a foul ball is typically considered a strike, a foul ball that is caught while in the air is considered an out. This can occur down the first base line, third base line, or behind home plate.

Tag Outs

Base runners can get out even when they are not batting. A base runner is an offensive player who is no longer at-bat and is instead attempting to advance bases in hopes of scoring a run. Tag outs occur when a base runner is off base, and a fielder who is in possession of the ball touches the runner with the ball or their glove (with the ball in it). Baserunners cannot get tagged out if they are safe on base. The most exciting form of a tag out occurs during rundowns, in which a base runner gets stuck between two bases and runs back and forth until they are eventually tagged out.

Force Outs

In baseball, multiple base runners can not occupy the same base at the same time. If two base runners occupy consecutive bases (i.e. 1st base and 2nd base), and the base runner on the previous base attempts to advance bases, the base runner in front of him must also advance the same number of bases. If a base runner behind you decides to take your base, you are forced to move to 3rd base in this example. If a base runner is thrown out because he was forced to leave his base in this situation, it is called a force out. Sometimes, teams will intentionally walk a batter in order to establish a potential force out at other bases. For example, with a runner on second, a team may walk a batter in order to set up a force out at first, second, and third base.

Thrown Out

A runner can also be thrown out. This happens when the baseball is thrown to a fielder occupying the next base the runner is advancing to. Once the fielder has the baseball he steps on the base and, if he steps on the base before the runner reaches it, the runner is out. This can occur on a throw from the outfield that beats the runner to their base, or by the catcher throwing a potential base stealer out.

Interference

Base runners and batters are not allowed to interfere with fielders when they are trying to field the ball. If they interfere with play, they will be called out by the Umpire. The opposite is also true, as fielders are not allowed to interfere with batters while they are hitting or base runners while they are running the bases. This is especially prominent on plays in which a base runner slides into their base with the intention of breaking up a double play. If the umpire determines the slide was outside of the necessary motion to reach the base and interfered with the turning of a double play, the runner headed towards first will be called out even if they were not technically out on a force out.

FAQ

How many outs are there in an inning of baseball?

In each half inning of a game in baseball, there are three outs. This means that each batting team gets three outs per inning. This also means that there are six outs recorded in a whole inning of baseball. Further, each team gets 27 outs over the course of a full nine-inning game.

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