Overview
A double play records two outs on a single play, with the most common being the 6-4-3 (shortstop to second baseman to first baseman) ground ball double play. It typically occurs with a runner on first when a ground ball is hit to the infield, and the speed of the middle infielders' relay determines success. Double plays can instantly kill a rally, making them one of the worst outcomes for a batter. The NPB single-season record is 36 by Sadaharu Oh in 1961-a consequence of his slow foot speed and pull-heavy approach as a power hitter. Oh also holds the career record with 390. Fast runners ground into fewer double plays; Ichiro was notably one of the hardest batters to double up throughout his 18-year career. From the defensive perspective, the double play is the most efficient outcome, and the second baseman-shortstop combination serves as a barometer of team defense. Variations include the 4-6-3 (second baseman to shortstop to first baseman) and 5-4-3 (third baseman to second baseman to first baseman). Triple plays are extremely rare but occur in NPB once every few years.