For the uninitiated watching a baseball game, the question "what is a po in baseball" often arises during a flurry of defensive action. On the scoreboard, on the stat sheet, or in the commentary, "PO" appears frequently, but its meaning shifts depending on the context. In its most fundamental sense, PO stands for Putout, which is the official statistic credited to a defensive player who completes an out.
Defining a Putout (PO)
A Putout is the act of retiring a batter or baserunner in a specific, definitive way that results in a side being put out of the inning. It is the most common method of recording an out and is credited to the player who physically executes the action that satisfies the rules for an out. While the pitcher often receives the attention for striking a batter out, the fielder who secures the ball and applies the tag or holds the ball securely on a batted ball is the one officially credited with the Putout.
The Mechanics of Recording a PO
The specific mechanics that define a Putout vary by situation, but the core principle remains the same: a live ball is put into play, and a defensive player legally terminates the offensive team's opportunity to advance. This can occur through a catch, a tag, a force out, or touching a base before the runner arrives. The statistic is vital for historical records, defensive metrics, and understanding the flow of a game. It distinguishes the player who directly ended the play from the player who may have initiated the sequence, such as the pitcher or the infielder who threw the ball.
Common Scenarios Where a Player Earns a PO
To fully grasp what is a po in baseball, one must examine the various game situations that result in this statistic. These scenarios highlight the diverse roles players have in the defensive spectrum, from the pitcher on the mound to the outfielder in the grass.
Catching a Fly Ball: The most straightforward example is an outfielder catching a ball hit into the air. Once the ball is secured in their glove or hand without touching the ground, they are credited with a Putout, and the batter is out.
Applying a Tag: When a baserunner is not forced to advance, a defensive player must physically touch the runner with the ball (or the hand holding the ball) while the runner is off the base. The fielder who executes this tag receives the Putout.
Force Outs: This is one of the most frequent causes of Putouts. When a runner is compelled to advance to the next base because the batter becomes a runner, a defensive player with possession of the ball need only touch the base before the runner arrives. The baseman covering the bag typically receives the credit.
Tagging Up: On a caught fly ball, a runner must retouch their original base (tag up) before attempting to advance. If a defensive player touches the runner before they return to the base, that fielder is awarded a Putout.
The Strikeout: While a strikeout is often associated with the pitcher, the official Putout is credited to the catcher. The catcher is the one who catches the third strike, thereby completing the out.
Interference and Obstruction: In rare cases, a Putout can be awarded to a player who prevents an offensive advantage through interference, though the official ruling usually credits the umpire or the defensive team differently depending on the league rules.
