in baseball statistics, each out must be credited to exactly one defensive player, namely the player who was the direct cause of the out. when referring to outs credited to a defensive player, the term putout is used. example: a batter hits a fair ball which is fielded by the shortstop. the shortstop then throws the ball to the first baseman. the first baseman then steps on first base before the batter reaches it. for this play, only the first baseman is credited with a putout, while the shortstop is credited with an assist. for a strikeout, the catcher is credited with a putout, because the batter is not out until the pitched ball is caught by the catcher. (if the catcher drops the third strike and has to throw the batter-runner out at first base, the first baseman receives the putout while the catcher receives an assist.) when an out is recorded without a fielder's direct involvement, such as where a runner is hit by a batted ball, the fielder nearest to the action is usually credited with the putout.