text: what's the difference between all of the different types of double plays in baseball? i've heard all of these different combinations of numbers. how do these work? the most normal is 6-4-3 or 5-4-3 dp  6 is the 3rd baseman 5 is the shortstop 4 is the 2nd basebman 3 is the 1st baseman.  so, a 6-4-3 dp is ground ball to 3rd, throw to 2nd for force, then to 1st to complete it.  or sometimes there is a strike 'em out/throw him out dp's...those are the coolest.  the batter strikes out (k), then the catcher throws to 2nd to catch the runner trying to steal.  another cool dp is when there is a fly ball to the outfield, runner on thrid trying to score, and is thrown out at home.