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.