What’s a 6-4-3 Double Play in Baseball? (Full Explanation)

If you have ever watched a baseball game on TV you have probably heard the announcer say something like that was a 6-4-3 double play. So, you might be wondering what these numbers mean and where do they come from?

The 6-4-3 double play in baseball means the shortstop (6) fielded the batters ground ball and threw it to the second baseman (4), who turned the double play by throwing it to the first baseman (3) and retiring the batter to complete the double play. The numbers represent each defensive position that participated in the play and what order they touched the ball. The numbers were created to make it easier for scorekeepers to record plays on a scorecard.

To help you better understand what the numbers in a double play mean, I put together this double play numbers guide that includes a full explanation of the different types of double plays and common questions many baseball fans have.

Let’s get started.

What’s a 6-4-3 Double Play?

Each defensive fielding position has an associated number that is used for scorekeeping. The numbers in a double play represent which defensive players contributed to the double play and what order they participated in the play.

For example, one of the most common double plays in baseball is a 6-4-3. During this play the ball is hit to the shortstop (6), he throws it to the second baseman (4) on second for the first out. After which he throws it to the first baseman (3) on first to complete the double play for the second out. A scorekeeper would record this in the scorebook as a 6-4-3 double play.

For more insight on how double plays are scored and what each number means check out this article: Understanding Double Play Numbers (Full Explanation)

What Does 6+4+3=2 Mean in Baseball?

Many baseball diehard fans can be seen wearing a t-shirt that says 6+4+3=2. So, you might be wondering what does 6+4+3=2 actually mean?

In baseball the 6+4+3=2 is a play on words or joke describing a type of double play (6-4-3) commonly made in a game. Each number represents a defensive position that was involved in the double play (SS, 2B, 1B) and the = 2 indicates how many outs were made.

In baseball each defensive position is given a number that makes it easier for scorekeeping. In the case of a 6-4-3 double play the shortstop (6) fields the ground ball then throws it to second baseman (4) at second and they tag force out the base runner and then throw it to the first baseman (3) for the double play.

The 6-4-3 double play is so common that baseball fans started using it as a play on words and came up with the 6+4+3=2 equation that can be found on many baseball fans Chicago Cubs shirts.

How Double Plays Are Recorded

In the game of baseball, scorekeeping and stats have always been a big part of the game. Unlike other sports there is plenty of time between each play that allows fans and official scorekeepers to keep track and record each play.

Writing out the sequence of a double play and what players were involved was too long to record on a scorecard. Instead they developed a way of writing things in which each position is assigned a number.

This made it easier to record the sequence of each play. Most double plays involve three players in which three numbers are recorded. However, if there were only two or just one player involved the appropriate number would be recorded.

The first number of a double play represents the defensive player that initiated the play (i.e fielded a ground ball). The second number in a double play is the second defensive player that contributed and the last number is the final player that recorded the out.

Let’s take a look at what number each defensive position has.

Baseball Positions by Number

In baseball there are nine players that are each assigned a fielding position. Each baseball position has an associated number that is used in scorekeeping by the official scorekeeper.

Here is each defensive baseball position and the number that is associated with their fielding position.

Pitcher (1)
Catcher (2)
First Baseman (3)
Second Baseman (4)
Third Baseman (5)
Shortstop (6)
Left Fielder (7)
Center Fielder (8)
Right Fielder (9)

The numbers that are associated with each defensive position are used frequently by announcers and most importantly by official baseball scorekeepers. (For more information on how scorekeeping works in baseball check out this article.)

To help illustrate how double plays are scored, let’s take a look at some of the most common and uncommon types of double plays that occur and break down each one.

Most Common Types of Doubles Plays

6-4-3 Double Play

Perhaps one of the most common and easiest double plays you see in baseball is the 6-4-3 double play.

A 6-4-3 double play in baseball occurs when there is a runner on first and the shortstop (6) fields a ground ball, throws the ball to the second baseman (4) to get the force out at second, the second baseman continues the play and throws to the first baseman (3) to record the second out and complete the double play.

As described above you can see that each number represents the sequence and players that were involved during each part of the play. The number order is which defensive players touched the ball first followed by who participated after to complete the play.

Here is an example of a 6-4-3 double play that happened in the Major Leagues.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ub-mbgzPU74

4-6-3 Double Play

A 4-6-3 is another common double play that often occurs during most baseball games.

4-6-3 double plays occur when there is a runner on first and the ball is hit to the second baseman (4), who throws the ball to the shortstop (6) who retires the baserunner because of the force and then throws the ball to the first baseman (3) who gets the base runner out at first.

The 4-6-3 double play occurs often during a baseball game and is a pitcher’s best friend.

Here is an example of a 4-6-3 double play during a game.

5-4-3 Double Play

Perhaps the third most common double play that occurs in baseball is the 5-4-3 double play.

The 5-4-3 double play happens when there is a runner on first and a ball is hit to the third baseman (5) who throws it to the second baseman (5) on second to record the first out. The second baseman then throws it to the first baseman (3) to get the batter out on first.

This type of double play is a bit harder and usually requires a hard-hit ball to the third baseman to allow enough time to retire both the runner and the batter during the same play.

5-6-3 Double Play

A 5-6-3 double play is similar to the 5-4-3 but instead of the second baseman receiving the throw from the third baseman it’s the shortstop.

Here is how this double play will occur.

With a runner on first the batter will hit a hard ground ball to the third baseman (5) who will fire it over to second base where the shortstop (6) would catch it and retire the baserunner. The shortstop would then throw the ball to the first baseman (1) on first to record the second out and complete the double play.

1-4-3 Double Play

Believe it or not, pitchers are often a part of many double plays recorded throughout the game. Double plays are also commonly referred to as a pitcher’s best friend so I guess that works out.

Here is how a 1-4-3 double play happens.

A ground ball is hit to the pitcher (1) who then throws it to second where the second baseman (4) gets out the runner via force. The second baseman then throws it to the first baseman (3) who retires the batter at first.

1-6-3 Double Play

The 1-6-3 double play is similar to the 1-4-3 but instead of the second baseman receiving the throw from the pitcher it would be the shortstop.

Here is how a 1-6-3 double play would happen.

A ground ball is hit to the pitcher (1) who then throws it to second where the shortstop (6) gets out the runner via force. The shortstop then throws it to the first baseman (3) who retires the batter at first and completes the double play.

1-2-3 Double Play

Another type of double play that happens is a 1-2-3 double play. During a 1-2-3 double play the bases are loaded and the batter hits the ball to the pitcher who throws it to the catcher to get the force out. The catch will then throw it to the first baseman to get the batter out at first.

6-3 Double Play

Another common type of double play is a 6-3 double play where only two positions are involved and handle the ball during the play.

A 6-1 double play occurs when the shortstop (6) fields a ground ball with a runner on first and then runs over to step on second (instead of throwing it to the second baseman) and then throws it to first where the first baseman (3) catches it and retires the batter and completes the double play.

7-2, 8-2 & 9-2 Double Plays

Not all double plays are made only by infielders but outfielders often participate as well. A great example of this is the 7-2 double play.

The 7-2 double play occurs when there is a runner at third and the batter hits the ball to the left fielder (7) who catches it in the air to record the batter out and then fires it home to the catcher (2) who catches the ball and tags the baserunner who tagged up before he can get to home plate.

This type of double play also happens with centerfields which would be a 8-2 double play and right fielders which would be a 9-2 double play.

Rare Double Plays

3-2-1 Double Play

One of the most rare or uncommon double plays in baseball is the “3-2-3” double play. In this case the bases need to be loaded with a runner at each base.

It occurs when a share-hit ball down the first base line is fielded by the first baseman, who immediately throws it home to force the runner coming from third out, the catcher then returns the ball to the first baseman who gets the batter out at first.

3-2-8 Double Play

Another type of double play that rarely occurs is a 3-2-8 double play. What makes this double play so rare is that the center fielder is who makes the second out.

The 3-2-8 double play happens when the first baseman (3) fields the ball, throws the ball to the catcher (2) to get the first out, the catcher then throws the ball to the center fielder (8) to record the second out on another base runner.

This type of double play is super rare but when it occurs is entertaining to watch.

Unassisted Double Play

Another uncommon double play that is rare to see is the unassisted double play, which is performed by a single defensive player.

This typically occurs when the second baseman or shortstop catches a soft line drive to get the batter out and steps on second base to put out the runner before he can tag up. However, this can also occur in other situations that are rare.

Who Covers First on a Double Play?

The first baseman is the position that would cover first during most double plays. However, there are a few types of double plays where the first baseman wouldn’t.

A great example of this would be during a 3-1-4 double play. Where the first baseman fields a ground ball with a runner on first, throws it to the pitcher who runs over to cover first to record the first out. The pitcher then throws it to the second baseman who needs to tag out the baserunner (force no longer applies in this case) to complete the double play.

Baseball FAQ

What is a Double Play?

What is a double play in baseball? A double play is when two offensive players are called out on the same play. Double plays can be made in a variety of different ways by several or just one defensive player.

The most common double play is when the batter hits a ground ball with a runner at first. In this case, a defensive player would field the grown ball, throw it to second base to get the runner out on a force and then throw the ball to first to get the batter out for the second out.

Double plays can also occur on a flyout if a fielder catches the batter’s ball and then throws out a runner attempting to advance or while failing to tag up.

With that being said there are a number of ways in which the defense can record a double play. We will discuss each in more detail later.