GlossaryPlays & rules

Triple Play

Three outs recorded on a single continuous play, the rarest common occurrence in baseball.

A triple play retires three runners on one continuous play, ending the inning instantly. It requires at least two runners on, fewer than one out, and a ball hit in a way that lets the defense reach three bases before anyone is safe.

The most common shape is a line drive caught with runners moving: the catch is one out, and both runners are doubled off before they can return. An unassisted triple play, where one fielder records all three, is among the rarest events in the sport.

In the scorebook it is written as the sequence of fielders in order, the same as a double play, just longer.

How rare is a triple play?

Rare enough that most players never see one. It needs runners on, fewer than one out, and a ball hit exactly where the defense can convert three outs before anyone retreats safely.

Related terms

Double Play · DPA single defensive sequence that records two outs, often written as a string of position numbers like 6-4-3.Force Out · FOAn out where a runner is required to advance and is retired simply by a fielder touching the base before they arrive.Putout & Assist · PO / AA putout credits the fielder who records an out; an assist credits each fielder who handled the ball before it.Infield Fly RuleWith runners on first and second (or bases loaded) and fewer than two outs, a catchable infield pop-up makes the batter automatically out.

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