Which action constitutes a putout for 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: (B)

A putout is credited to the fielder who records an out by completing the play with the ball in hand or control. Catches a batted ball in flight directly records an out on the batter and puts the fielder who made the catch in a putout role. Tagging a runner who is not on a base and making the out is another way a fielder earns a putout. Holding the ball and touching a base to which a runner is forced to advance (or return) is the classic force-out scenario, and that fielder also gets the putout credit. So any of these actions constitutes a putout, meaning all of the listed actions describe putouts.