The Strikeout
The pitcher’s own out: three strikes and the batter is gone, whether he swings and misses or is caught looking at a called strike three.
The Groundout and the Force
When a batter hits the ball on the ground, a fielder scoops it and throws to first base before the runner arrives. Because the batter is obligated to run to first, the first baseman only needs to hold the ball while touching the bag — that is a force out. The same logic forces any runner who has nowhere to retreat because the runner behind him must advance.
The Flyout
A ball hit in the air — to the outfield or infield, fair or foul — that a fielder catches before it touches the ground is an out, and the batter is retired immediately.
The Tag
When a runner is not forced, a fielder must tag him — touch the runner with the ball or with the glove holding the ball — while he is off a base. Close plays at second, third, and home are usually tags.
The Double Play
With a runner on first and a ground ball, a sharp defense can record two outs on one play: a throw to second to force that runner, then on to first to beat the batter. The double play is the defense’s best friend and the rally-killer hitters dread.
Three and Switch
Three outs end the half-inning. The teams then swap — the fielding team comes in to bat, and the batting team takes the field.