Out (baseball): Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

In baseball, an out occurs when the defensive team, along with the pitcher is able to deal with a batter or baserunner in such a way that the umpire rules him "out". Sometimes when a player is called out, he is referred to as retired. Once three outs are recorded in an inning, sometimes its referred to as the side being retired. An out is considered a put out when a runner or batter is retired in a way that required direct defensive action from a defending player.

There are ways to get both the batter and the runner out.

An out can occur in the following circumstances:

• The batter
  • A batter strikes out
    • On a dropped third strike either first base is occupied and there are less than two outs, or the batter is tagged or a defending player with the baseball touches first base before the batter gets there.
  • A batter hits an infield popup when the infield fly rule applies.
  • A caught fly ball or line drive
• The runner
  • A defending player with the baseball touches a base that a runner has left and not returned to after a catch of a fly ball or line drive.
  • A defending player with the baseball touches first base before the batter gets there.
  • A force out—a defending player holding the baseball touches a base that a runner is required to run to before he arrives. A runner is "forced" to run if every base before him is occupied, and the batter puts the ball in play without getting out by a catch of a fly ball or line drive.
  • A tag out—when a a defending player holding the ball touches the runner with the hand holding the ball, while the runner is not touching a base.
  • When a baserunner or batter is hit by or touches the ball off the bat—before a defending player has touched it.
• Sometimes a player is called out for violating the rules:
  • Interfering with a player who is fielding the ball or trying to catch a throw
  • Instigating a fight with another player or the umpire
  • When a baserunner strays too far from the baseline to avoid a tag.
  • When someone bats in his place without a legal substitution.

Further reading

• Official rules for batters, including when the batter is out
• Official rules for runners, including when the runner is out