In baseball statistics, a putout (PO) is awarded to a defensive player who (generally while in secure possession of the ball) records an out by one of the following methods:

• Tagging a runner with the ball when the runner is not touching a base (a tagout)
• Catching a batted ball on the fly (a flyout)
• Retrieving a batted ball hit along the ground which a defensive player subsequently throws to another defensive player who then catches it- the latter simultaneously occupying a base, or by subsequently touching a base while in possession of the ball- thus recording an out of a batter or runner, before the batter, or non-batting runner, can touch the base to which he is compelled to advance (a force out- referred to as a groundout if the player who has been put out is the batter-runner attempting to reach first base- or, if done after a flyout, a doubling off).
• Catching a thrown ball and tagging a base to record an out on an appeal play
• Catching a third strike (a strikeout)
• Being positioned closest to a runner called out for interference

In a regulation nine-inning game, the winning team will always have a total of 27 putouts, as one putout is awarded for every defensive out made; this is one aspect of proving a box score.

While the abbreviation for putout is "PO",^[1] baseball scorekeeping typically records the specific manner in which an out was achieved, without explicitly noting which player is awarded the putout for common plays. For example, a strikeout is recorded without noting the putout by the catcher, with additional detail only provided as needed. For example, "Fryman struck out (catcher to first)"^[2] in a play-by-play summary in reference to an out recorded following an uncaught third strike, which indicates the putout was credited to the first baseman rather than the catcher.

All-time records

Content in this section has been updated through completion of the 2022 major-league season.

See also

• Assist (baseball)

References