# Unassisted Triple Play **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [October 26, 2013, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unassisted-triple-play/672313 "2013-10-26T16:00:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unassisted-triple-play/672313/1 "2013-10-26T16:00:13Z")
How is it possible for a baseball fielder to score an unassisted triple play without actually fielding the ball, or even touching it. Here’s a hint, George Will, the columnist, figured this one out. * * * LINK TO COLUMN: [http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/450/how-is-an-unassisted-triple-play-accomplished-in-baseball](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/450/how-is-an-unassisted-triple-play-accomplished-in-baseball) ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unassisted-triple-play/672313/2 "2013-10-26T16:35:29Z")
I think I’ve seen that, but is there a fielder actually involved? ---
**Author:** ![jonesj2205](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecc23a/32.png) [@jonesj2205](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonesj2205)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unassisted-triple-play/672313/3 "2013-10-26T17:22:23Z")
I’m guessing runner’s interference is involved but I can’t get it to three. Person who would have made the play is given credit for outs. I tried to work missed base in but that’s scored 1-3 (or whatever base). ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unassisted-triple-play/672313/4 "2013-10-26T17:29:03Z")
Infield fly rule (1), runner passes another runner (2), dropping ball hits remaining runner (3). ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unassisted-triple-play/672313/5 "2013-10-26T18:41:53Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Infield fly rule (1), runner passes another runner (2), dropping ball hits remaining runner (3). That’s the one I saw somewhere. Is there a fielder credited with any outs there? ---
**Author:** ![jonesj2205](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecc23a/32.png) [@jonesj2205](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonesj2205)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unassisted-triple-play/672313/6 "2013-10-26T18:47:53Z")
Infield fly is credited to fielder who should have made catch when two runners pass the out is credited to fielder closer to the point they passed Ball hits runner, out credited to fielder closest to ball. So easy to see how 1 & 3 could be same fielder, I guess 2 is possible, if not particularly likely ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unassisted-triple-play/672313/7 "2013-10-26T18:55:14Z")
[link](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/450/how-is-an-unassisted-triple-play-accomplished-in-baseball)? ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2013, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unassisted-triple-play/672313/8 "2013-10-27T01:41:19Z")
Welcome to the Straight Dope Message Boards, **watchwolf49** , we’re glad you found us. For future ref, when you start a thread in this forum, it’s helpful to other readers to provide a link to the column in question. I’ve added a link to what I assume is the column you’re commenting on. If I’m wrong about that, please email me or REPORT this post (by clicking on the little ! in the red triangle in upper right corner) and I’ll be glad to amend. No big deal, happy to help, and you’ll know for next time. And, as I say, welcome! ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2013, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unassisted-triple-play/672313/9 "2013-10-30T07:08:23Z")
There are two other possibilities: 1. Two runners on. Runner A is put out but stays on basepath. Umpire calls runner B out (it’s in the rules). 2. Runner is hit by batted ball. Or even another possibility, also covered by the rules: 1. Batter hits ball; bat breaks. Part of bat hits ball a second time. Batter is out. Catcher _may_ be player credited with putout.