Baseball

Aboard On base.
Advance To move to the next base.
All-Pro Player elected to a team of exceptional players. (Also appropriate in basketball, football, and other
sports.)
All-Star Same as All-Pro.
All-Time The best who ever played a game at that particular position. (Appro- priate for almost all team sports.)
Alley Imaginary line or lane between out-fielders playing in their normal positions.
American League One of two major professional major leagues, now split into three divisions. In the East Division are
Baltimore, Boston, New York (Yankees), Tampa Bay, and Toronto. In the Central Division are Chicago (White Sox),
Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City, and Minnesota. In the West Divi- sion are Los Angeles (Angels), Oakland, Seattle,
and Texas. Abbreviated AL.

Artificial Turf Synthetic grass substitute, sold under a variety of brand names. Also called carpet.
Assist Credited to a player who throws to a base to aid in an out.
Babe Ruth Baseball Non profit organization that sponsors summer baseball for youth aged 9–18.
Backstop A screen that protects spectators behind the plate from pitches that might get away from the catcher.
Bad Hop Awkward bounce that allows a ball to get away from a fielder.
Balk Illegal act by the pitcher that allows all runners on base to advance one base. A balk is technically a pause
during the normal pitching motion.
Baseball Annie Woman attracted to baseball players. Also known as a groupie. Basket Catch Catch made with the
glove held at waist level with the palm up. Battery The pitcher and catcher as a team.
Battery-Mates Same as battery.
Batting Average Number of hits divided by the number of times at bat.
Batting helmet Protective hatlike helmet now required of all professional
teams, to prevent injury to the head by a pitched ball. Protective helmets were first used in 1941 by the Brooklyn
Dodgers.
Bean Ball Ball thrown to deliberately hit (or just barely miss) a batter’s head. In 1920, a ball thrown by Carl Mayes
of the Yankees hit and killed Ray Chapman, of the Cleveland Indians, which has been baseball’s only fatality.
Also called brushback and knockdown pitch.
Bench Jockey A player who seldom plays. He “rides the bench.”
Big League Either or both professional leagues.
Bleachers Seats in the outfield area, usually cheap seats, in an area of a stadium without a roof.
Bottom of an Inning The last half of an inning.
Box Score A condensed report of a game that shows the lineups for both teams, runs batted in, score, and so on.
The baseball equivalent of shorthand reporting.
Breaking Ball A ball that curves in or out as it crosses the plate area.
Bronx Cheer A “razzberry” sound made by a spectator. Usually made in con- tempt.
Bullpen Area behind the outer fences of a baseball field where relief pitchers warm up and wait for their possible
entry into the game.
Bunt A ball that is not swung at. The batter holds the bat horizontally and taps the ball into the infield.
Bush League Minor leagues. Carries the connotation of amateurish, unprofes- sional, not yet top-flight.
Cactus League Spring training league that plays in the Southwest.
Cellar The lowest team statistically in a league’s standings is said to be “in the cellar.”
Charley Horse A slight muscle pull or strain, usually in the leg muscles. Also
appropriate in football, track and field, and other sports.

(To) Choke Up To be unable to play to the best of a player’s ability because of fear or tension.
To choke up on a bat To hold it higher than the normal grip position.
Clean-Up The fourth position in the batting order.
Clothesline Baseball hit in such a straight line that clothes could be hung on the level.
Contact Hitter A player known for an ability to hit the ball regularly for base hits, although probably unspectacular
ones.
Count The number of balls and strikes a player has when he is batting.
Cup of Coffee A brief visit to the major leagues by a minor league player. He is said to have visited the majors just
“long enough for a cup of coffee.”
Curve A ball thrown in such a way that it curves in flight toward the batter’s box.
Cy Young Award An award made annually to the pitcher who has made an outstanding record that year. Voted
by the Baseball Writer’s Association. Designated Hitter A player who comes to bat for a team, but who does not
field. Allowed in the American league, but not in the National League. Allowed during AL home games in
the World Series. Abbreviated DH.
Diamond The infield part of a baseball field.
Disabled List A player who is injured and can not play is placed on the dis- abled list. Also appropriate in
football.
Doctor To secretly treat a baseball to gain an advantage.
Doctored Bat To treat a bat so it is not of regulation weight, for an advantage to the batter. A doctored bat is
usually made lighter by drilling a hole in the bat and covering the hole so the doctored area cannot be seen.
Double-Dip Two games played in one day, a doubleheader.
Double Play Two consecutive outs during the same play.
Downtown A home-run ball that clears the outfield fences and flies into the seats is said to have gone downtown.
Dugout An area where team benches are located, usually slightly lower than the spectator’s seats so as not to block
the view of the field. One is located on the first base side of the field, the other on the third base side.
Earned Run Run that scores as a result of base hits, stolen bases, sacrifice hits, walks, hit batter, wild pitches, or
balks and before fielders have had a chance to retire the side.
Error Is charged against a player when a misplay (ball that is dropped, etc.) causes the play to continue, when
without the error, the play would have been over.
Extra Innings A game that goes beyond the normal nine innings to break a tie.
Fair Ball A hit ball that remains inside the playing area of the field.
Farm Team A minor league team associated with a major league team is said to be a farm team because that’s
where major league players are “grown” or developed.
Fast Ball A baseball thrown at 100 mph or more.

Fielder’s Choice When a defensive player chooses to retire a base runner previ- ously on base, rather than the batter
who hit the ball. It is considered an at- bat and works against the hitter’s batting average.
Fielding Average Put-outs, assists, and errors, divided into put-outs and assists.
Fireman A relief pitcher who wins games in the late innings by putting out the opposition’s “fire.”
Flake A psychologically unreliable ball player.
Foul Ball Ball that rolls off the field of play before reaching first base or third base, or lands off the field of play
past first or third base.
Foul Tip A batted ball that fields directly into the catcher’s mit and is caught by the catcher. This is a fair ball.
Frame An inning.
Free Agent A player not under contract to any club and who can negotiate a contract with any club in the league.
Fungo Bat Lightweight bat used by coaches or managers to hit infield practice.
Gamer A player who plays with an injury.
Goat Nickname for a player who loses a crucial game.
Go Down Looking To take a called third strike for an out without swinging. Go Down Swinging To swing and
miss at a third strike and be called out. Golden Glove Award An award made every year to the fielders with the
best
performance at each position.
Grand Slam A home run hit with the bases loaded, thus scoring four runs. Grapefruit League Spring training
league, played largely in Florida. Ground-rule double A hit that bounces over the outfield fence, allowing a
batter to automatically go to second base.
Hit Ball hit in such a way that the batter may reach base safely or preceding base runners may reach an additional
base or bases safely.
Hook Slide To slide into second or third base or home plate while avoiding a player’s tag, but while keeping one
foot pointed toward the base.
Hot Corner Third base.
Iceman A relief pitcher who can “ice” an opponent’s “hot streak.” Same as
 fireman.
Iron Mike Pitching machine that is used during batting practice.
Infield Fly Fly ball with runners on first and second, or on first, second, and third, that is hit into the infield and
that can be handled by the infielders for an out.
In the Hole Unfavorable position for the batter. If the batter has two strikes against him and no balls called, he is
said to be in the hole. Also, the batter positioned behind the on-deck batter.
Junk Pitch An unorthodox pitch or slower than normal pitch.
Juiced Slang for on steroids or human growth hormone.
Junk Man Pitcher who relies on junk pitches for effectiveness.

Knockdown Pitch A pitch deliberately thrown at the batter’s head or thrown so close to the batter that he must fall
to the ground to avoid being hit by the pitch. Same as bean ball.
K Indicates a strikeout in a baseball box score. A backward K indicates a watched third strike.
Lead A few steps away from a base taken by a runner toward the next base.
Line Drive A ball hit in a straight line.
Lineup Card Card given by the manager to the umpire that lists all the players to be used during a game by their
position in the batting order.
Little League A minor league for youngsters that plays on a field that is one third smaller than normal. Now
headquartered in Williamsport, Pa., the Little League plays a World Series every year.
Load the Bases To have runners on first, second, and third base at the same time.
Long Reliever Relief pitcher who can pitch five innings or more.
Magic Number The number of games that a particular team must win to win a divisional race and thus qualify for
playoffs leading to the World Series.
Major League Refers to either or both the National League or the American
League.
Minor League Any league other than the two major leagues.
MVP Most Valuable Player. Award given to the outstanding player in each league each year. Awarded by the
Baseball Writers Association.
National League One of two professional major leagues, now divided into three divisions. In the East Division are
Atlanta, Florida, New York (Mets), Philadelphia, and Washington. In the Central Division are Chicago (Cubs),
Cincinnati, Houston, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis. In the West Divi- sion are Arizona, Colorado, Los
Angeles (Dodgers), San Diego, and San Francisco. Abbreviated NL.
Nightcap Second game of a doubleheader, often played at night.
No-hitter A game in which a pitcher does not allow any base hits by the opposing team.
Off-Speed Pitch Slower than normal pitch.
On Deck Player waiting to bat next.
Outfield That part of a baseball field beyond the base paths that connect first, second, and third bases.
Out In Front Of To swing too early at a pitch.
Passed Ball Is charged against the catcher when he drops the ball or loses pos- session of it and that loss causes a
runner to advance a base or bases. Called an error if the catcher drops a called third strike; the player is allowed to
advance to first base.
Pennant A league divisional champion team. So called because the team is allowed to fly the league flag or
pennant during the next season.
Perfect Game A game in which a pitcher allows no opposing players to safely
reach base.

Pick Off To throw a runner out with a quick throw to a fielder who tags the runner out, off base.
Pinch Hit To hit in place of another player; to substitute for.
Pinch Run To run in place of another player.
Pitcher of Record The pitcher who is officially charged with winning or losing a game.
Pitcher’s Duel A close game in which opposing pitchers have both performed well.
Pitcher’s Mound A slightly elevated part of a playing field that the pitcher throws from. Generally elevated 10
 inches higher than normal ground level.
Pitch Out A pitch that is thrown wide of the plate so a catcher can throw to put out a runner who is off base.
Play-by-Play A running account of a game in progress.
Playoff Games conducted at the end of a season to determine a league championship.
Pop Fly A high fly ball.
Portsider Same as southpaw.
Put-Out Credited to fielder who handles a ball in a play that results in an out for a baserunner.
Rabbit Ball A ball that bounces or hops in a lively manner.
Rain Check A ticket stub that can be used again if a game is rained out and replayed later.
Rain Out To rain hard enough to cause a game to be postponed.
Ribbie Abbreviation for Runs Batted In. Important offensive statistic for ball players.
Relief Pitcher A pitcher who does not start a game, but who comes in to relieve the starting pitcher in late
innings.
Retire the Side To put out three batters to end an opposing team’s turn at bat.
Rhubarb A noisy argument.
Rookie An inexperienced player, a novice.
Rookie of the Year An award made by the Baseball Writers of America to the outstanding first-year players in the
American and National Leagues.
Rosin Bag A bag that contains powdered rosin. This is handled by the pitcher between pitches to allow him to keep
a firm grip on the ball.
Rotation The regular order in which pitchers are used by a team.
Run Batted In A run that scores because of a hit by another player. Also known as an RBI or ribbie.
Run Down To chase a runner between bases and tag him for an out.
Running Squeeze Runner on third base begins running toward home plate, as the ball is pitched, hoping that the
batter will bunt safely and allow him to score.
Sack The first, second, and third bases.
Sacrifice Bunt Batter bunts the ball to advance a baserunner and is called out while the baserunner advances safely.

Sacrifice Fly Ball hit to the outfield that results in an out for the batter, but a successful advance for a runner on
base.
Safety Squeeze Runner on third heads for home plate when the ball is bunted. Slightly different than running
squeeze.
Sandlot Ball School yard baseball, or any other informally organized game.
Save When a relief pitcher wins a game begun by a starting pitcher, he is said to have saved the game.
Set Down Same as retire the side.
Seventh-Inning Stretch Spectators’ tradition of standing and stretching before the home team comes to bat in the
seventh inning. Spectators usually go to the restrooms, get a beer, or otherwise take a break.
Shake Off a Sign Occurs when a pitcher refuses to pitch a specific type of ball that the catcher signals him to pitch.
Shoestring Catch Catch of a ball made at the shoe level. Also appropriate in football.
Short Reliever Relief pitcher used for only a few innings, or a relief pitcher who is effective for only a few
innings.
Shut Out To prevent an opposing team from scoring through an entire game. Sign Signal shown to the pitcher by
the catchers to indicate what kind of ball to throw next. First base and third base coaches may also signal to runners
and batters, and the manager may signal to his team from the dugout.
Sinker Pitch that drops vertically as it crosses the plate.
Slugger Hitter known for many hits and runs.
Southpaw Left-handed player. Usually refers to left-handed pitcher.
Speed Gun Portable radar unit used to determine the speed of a pitched ball.
Spitball Illegal pitch caused by the pitcher adding some foreign material, such as spit or vaseline, to the ball.
Spring Training Time before the start of major league season in which players regain playing abilities lost during the
off season. Major leagues also test minor league players during this time. Generally starts in March and ends
just prior to the season.
Stand-Up Double A hit that allows the runner to reach second base without sliding.
Stand-Up Triple A hit that allows the runner to reach third base without sliding.
Stolen base Runner advances successfully without the aid of a base hit, put- out, walk, force-out, fielder’s choice,
passed ball, wild pitch, or balk.
Strike Zone The area that the pitcher must throw in to successfully throw strikes. Generally from the hitter’s
armpits to his knees, when he is in a normal batting position.
Stuff A pitcher’s effectiveness; either he has good stuff or not.
Switch Hitter Player who bats both right- and left-handed.
Tape-Measure Homer Long home run that might be measured for a record.
Texas Leaguer Fly ball hit just over the head of the shortstop or second baseman, just barely into the outfield.

Three and One Three balls and one strike on the batter. Tools of Ignorance Mask, glove, and
pads used by a catcher. Top of the Inning The first half of an inning.
Top of the Order The first batter in the batting order.
Triple A hit that allows the batter to reach third base successfully.
Triple Play A play in which three baserunners are put out on one batted ball.
Twin Bill Same as doubleheader.
Twilight Doubleheader A doubleheader with the first game scheduled about twilight.
Unearned Run Any run that scores on the basis of an error by an opposing player.
Walk To be awarded first base because of four balls pitched by the pitcher.
Wild Pitch Pitch thrown so that the catcher cannot control it. Wind-Up The motion of a pitcher
prior to releasing the ball. Winter Ball Organized baseball played during the off season.
World Series A best-of-seven game series played by the champion teams of the
American and National Leagues.