A putout is credited when a fielder:

• A. Catches a batted ball in flight.
• B. Tags out a runner.
• C. Puts out a runner by holding the ball while touching a base to which a runner is forced to advance or return.
• D. All the above.

Answer: (C)

A putout is recorded when the defense retires a runner by the act that completes a forced play at a base. The clearest, rule-based way this happens is when a fielder, holding the ball, touches the base to which a runner is forced to advance (or return) before the runner gets there. This is the standard description of a putout in official scoring because it directly completes the force play by presenting the ball to the base before the runner. While catching a batted ball in flight or tagging a runner are also ways an out can be made, the option describing the force-out at a base matches the formal putout definition most precisely and is the best fit for the question.