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Это алфавитный список избранных неофициальных и специализированных терминов, фраз и другого жаргона, используемого в бейсболе , вместе с их определениями, включая иллюстративные примеры для многих статей.


0 [ править ]

«Ой и ...» См. Счет .

1 [ править ]

  • Официальные секретари присваивают номер от  1 до  9 каждой позиции на поле, чтобы записать результат каждой игры в своей собственной стенографии. Цифра  1 соответствует кувшину.
  • Крик «Один!» указывает, что мяч должен быть брошен на первую базу.
  • В контексте подачи, цифра  1 - общий знак (и прозвище) для фастбола.

1-2-3 иннинг [ править ]

Тайм, в котором питчер сталкивается только с тремя отбивающими игроками, и ни один из них благополучно не достигает базы. «Три вверх, три вниз».

1-2-3 двойная игра [ править ]

Двойная игра , в которой кувшин (1) поля отбитого мяча и бросает домой ловец (2), который выбывает бегун наступающего от третьего. Затем ловец бросает первому игроку с низов (3), чтобы вытеснить отбивающее.

1-6-3 двойная игра [ править ]

Питчер (1) выставляет на поле битый мяч и выполняет бросок в шорт-стоп (6), чтобы вытеснить бегуна, идущего вторым. Затем шорт-стоп бросает первому игроку с низов (3), чтобы вытеснить тесто.

2 [ править ]

  • Кэтчер, в стенограмме ведения счета.
  • Крик «Два!» указывает, что мяч должен быть брошен на вторую базу.
  • «Два мешка» - это дубль .

2–2–2 (2 мяча, 2 страйка, 2 аута) [ править ]

Смотрите дикие двойки .

3 [ править ]

  • Первый человек с низов, в стенограмме.
  • Крик «Трое!» указывает, что мяч должен быть брошен на третью базу.
  • Тройка - это тройка .

3-2-3 двойная игра [ править ]

Первый игрок с низов (3) выставляет на поле битый мяч и бросает кэтчеру (2), который удаляет бегуна, продвигающегося от третьего, а затем отбрасывает его назад к первому игроку с низов, чтобы вытеснить отбивающего.

3-6 двойная игра [ править ]

Первый игрок с низов (3) выставляет на поле битый мяч, первым наступает на него (чтобы вынудить отбивающего выйти), а затем бросает в шорт-стоп (6), который ставит метку на бегуна.

3-6-1 двойная игра [ править ]

Первый игрок с низов (3) выставляет на поле битый мяч и бросает в шорт-стоп (6), чтобы вытеснить бегуна на втором. Затем шорт-стоп бросает питчеру (1) (который теперь прикрывает первым, потому что игрок с низов был занят подачей мяча), чтобы вытеснить отбивающего.

3-4-3 двойная игра [ править ]

Первый игрок с низов (3) выставляет на поле битый мяч и бросает второму игроку с низов (4), чтобы вытеснить бегуна на втором. Второй игрок с низов затем бросается назад к первому игроку с низов, чтобы вытеснить тесто.

3-6-3 двойная игра [ править ]

Первый игрок с низов (3) выставляет на поле битый мяч и бросает в шорт-стоп (6), чтобы вытеснить бегуна на втором. Затем шорт-стоп отбрасывается назад к первому игроку с низов, чтобы вытеснить тесто.

4 [ править ]

  • Второй человек с низов, в стенограмме.
  • Крик «Четыре!» указывает на то, что мяч должен быть брошен на домашнюю тарелку.
  • «Четыре мешка» - это хоумран.

4-6-3 двойная игра [ править ]

Второй игрок с низов (4) выставляет на поле битый мяч и бросает в шорт-стоп (6), который вытесняет бегуна на втором, а затем бросает первому игроку с низов (3), чтобы вытеснить отбивающего.

45-футовая линия [ править ]

  • Линия между основной пластиной и первой базой, которая начинается на 45 футов ниже первой базовой линии и продолжается за первую базу. Правила гласят, что если отбивающий находится на пути броска, который начинается возле домашней пластины и находится за пределами области, созданной базовой линией и 45-футовой линией, он должен быть вызван, если судья считает, что он мешал игра. Если он остается в пределах линии, его нельзя вызывать для вмешательства. Это правило разработано для того, чтобы дать кетчерам и питчерам возможность выставлять головни и бросать отбивающего, не беспокоясь о том, что он намеренно или непреднамеренно мешает броску.
  • Эта линия также используется, чтобы решить, является ли отрывной ход допустимым или блокировкой. Если питчер шагает ведущей ногой к базе, он намеревается бросить на нее, это считается законным; 45-футовая линия определяет, идет ли этот шаг к основанию или к домашней пластине. Это вступает в игру только тогда, когда отбор осуществляется к основанию, перед которым естественно смотрит питчер, то есть третьим для правши или первым для левши.

4 широких [ править ]

Четыре последовательных веревки, намеренно выходящие за пределы зоны удара. Проповедник Роу резюмировал эту стратегию Стэну Мюзиалу так: «Я бросаю ему четыре широких и сначала пытаюсь отразить его». [1]

5 [ править ]

Третий человек с низов, в стенограмме.

5 лунок [ править ]

  • Между ног игрока (в частности, кетчера). Из хоккейного термина, обозначающего, как шайба проходит мимо вратаря («через пять лунок»).

5.5 отверстие [ править ]

Пространство между третьим игроком с низов (5) и шорт-стопом (6).

5-4-3 двойная игра [ править ]

Третий игрок с низов (5) выставляет на поле битый мяч и бросает второму игроку с низов (4), чтобы вытеснить бегуна, продвигающегося от первого. Второй игрок с низов затем бросает первому игроку с низов (3), чтобы вытеснить тесто.

Игрок с 5 инструментами [ править ]

Позиционный игрок (не питчер), такой как Вилли Мейс , [2] Андре Доусон , [3] Дюк Снайдер , [4] [5] Владимир Герреро [6] или Кен Гриффи-младший , [4] [7], который превосходит всех остальных. в:
  1. ударяя по среднему
  2. бить за власть
  3. базовый бег
  4. бросание
  5. полевая [4]

6 [ править ]

Сокращение в стенограмме.

6-4-3 двойная игра [ править ]

Шортстоп (6) выставляет на поле битый мяч и бросает второму игроку с низов (4), который вытесняет бегуна, продвигающегося от первого, а затем бросает первому игроку с низов (3), чтобы вытеснить отбивающего.

7 [ править ]

Левый полузащитник, в стенограмме.

7-2, 8-2 или 9-2 двойная игра [ править ]

Мяч ловит аутфилдер, и бегун пытается пометить и забить с третьего, но ловит его пометил.

8 [ править ]

Центральный защитник, в сокращенном виде.

9 [ править ]

Правый защитник, в сокращенном виде.

С 9 до 0 [ править ]

Официальный счет проигранной игры в Высшей лиге бейсбола.

12–6 [ править ]

Тип крученого мяча, движение которого напоминает стрелки часов.

30-30 клуб [ править ]

Игроки, которые совершили 30 хоумранов и украли 30 баз за один сезон.

Клуб 40-40 [ править ]

Игроки, которые совершили 40 хоумранов и украли 40 баз за один сезон.

55 футов [ править ]

Уничижительный термин для шага , который отскакивает от коротких 60 12 фута между качающейся резиной и пластиной .

90 футов [ править ]

Когда бегун продвигается на одну базу, он «поднимается на 90 футов» - расстояние между последовательными базами.



A [ править ]

A-Ball или single-A [ править ]

По состоянию на сезон 2021 года «Single-A» является самой низкой группой современной дочерней бейсбольной низшей лиги с подкатегориями «High-A» и «Low-A». Лига «Short-Season A» также существовала до 2021 года. Каждая из лиг High-A и Low-A делится на три региональных лиги: High-A Central , High-A East , High-A West , Low-A East , Low-A Юго-восток и низко-западный .

AA [ править ]

  • "Double-A" (AA) является вторым по величине уровнем бейсбола низшей лиги (ниже AAA), и с 2021 года включает Double-A Central , Double-A Northeast и Double-A South .
  • «AA» также является аббревиатурой Американской ассоциации, которая была названием многочисленных профессиональных бейсбольных лиг: недолговечной высшей лиги 19-го века, низшей лиги на протяжении большей части 20-го века и независимой низшей лиги, которая стал «Партнерской лигой» Высшей лиги бейсбола в 2021 году.

AAA [ править ]

«Triple-A» - это высший уровень бейсбольной низшей лиги. С 2021 года этот уровень включает в себя Triple-A East , Triple-West и Мексиканскую лигу .

AAAA player [ править ]

«Игрок четверки А» (альтернативно «игрок четверки А») - это термин для игрока низшей лиги, который постоянно добивается успеха в высших низших лигах, но не может переводить это в успех на уровне высшей лиги. Плохое руководство может нести ответственность. [8] «AAAA» может также неофициально относиться к высококачественным, но не аффилированным иностранным бейсбольным лигам за пределами Северной Америки, где игра считается менее конкурентоспособной, чем в MLB, но более конкурентоспособной, чем в AAA ; это, как правило , ограничивается описанием Японии «s NPB , но может также включать в себя Южная Корея » s KBO и (редко) Тайвань «s CPBL .[11]

на борту [ править ]

Когда бегун на базе . Когда на базе находятся бегуны, есть и «бегуны на борту».

туз [ править ]

Лучший стартовый питчер в команде, который обычно первым выполняет ротацию подачи.

продвинуть бегуна [ править ]

Безопасное перемещение бегуна на другую базу часто является осознанной стратегией команды, играющей в мелкий мяч . Если отбивающий все-таки выбьет из игры, его внешний вид тарелки будет менее негативным, если у него все еще есть бегун в зачетную позицию ; в определенных ситуациях обидчики даже сознательно жертвуют собой.

впереди по счету [ править ]

  • Термин, обозначающий, имеет ли бэттер или питчер преимущество в бите. Если питчер нанес больше ударов, чем мячей бьющему в бите, питчер идет впереди в счете; и наоборот, если питчер забросил больше мячей, чем ударов, то впереди бьющий.
  • Если питчер идет впереди в счете, бьющий находится в возрастающей опасности нанести удар. Если отбивающий идет впереди, кувшин находится в возрастающей опасности, если он перейдет к нему.

прицелиться в мяч [ править ]

Иногда, когда питчер пытается слишком осторожно контролировать положение поля, говорят, что он «целится в мяч», а не бросает его. Это значение слова «прицелиться» отличается от ситуации, когда питчер нацеливает подачу на отбивающего, пытаясь ударить его.

авиапочта [ править ]

Бросок передается по воздуху над головой игрока с низов " Сан-Франциско Джайентс" Пабло Сандовал .
Сленг для ошибочного броска полевого игрока, который пролетает над игроком, которому он намеревался бросить мяч. Например, если третий игрок с низов должен был перебросить мяч через голову первого игрока с низов на трибуны, то говорят, что он «отправил по почте» этот бросок. «Но Чендлер отправила свой бросок на третье место в блиндаже  ...»

алебастровый взрыв [ править ]

Придуманный диктором Pittsburgh Pirates Бобом Принсом, Baltimore Chop будет подпрыгивать выше обычного из-за чрезвычайно твердой грязи на Forbes Field.

аллея [ править ]

Также «разрыв» или «силовая аллея», пространство между левым и центральным защитником или правым и центральным защитником. Если отбивающий ударяет по мячу «вверх по переулку» с достаточной силой, у него больше шансов продвинуться дальше первой базы, и ему засчитывается удар дополнительной базы. Обычно это подходящий термин для описания линейного привода или заземляющего шара; летающие шары, которые ударяются о стену, обычно так не описываются.

Американская лига (AL) [ править ]

Младший из двух существующих высших лиг .

Серия чемпионатов Американской лиги (ALCS) [ править ]

Финальная серия плей-офф сезона до лучших из семи, которая определяет команду Американской лиги, которая выйдет в Мировую серию . ALCS, как и его аналог, NLCS, появился в 1969 году. Победитель ALCS получает вымпел Американской лиги и титул чемпиона Американской лиги в этом сезоне. Победители серии American League Division встречаются в ALCS с 1995 года.

Серия дивизионов Американской лиги (ALDS) [ править ]

Первый раунд плей-офф лиги. Победители трех дивизионов и победитель Wild Card Game попадают в две серии из пяти игр, победители которых переходят в ALCS.

Энни Окли [ править ]

Бесплатный билет на посещение игры с мячом или на первую базу («свободный проход» или «база на мячей»).

апелляция играть [ править ]

Игра, в которой защита имеет возможность получить благоприятное решение от судьи, исправив ошибку, допущенную нарушением, или добиваясь вмешательства другого судьи. Апелляции требуют от защиты устной апелляции соответствующему судье, или, если апеллируемая ситуация очевидна, игрок может обозначить апелляцию жестом. Ответственность за подачу апелляции лежит на защите; Судьи не будут объявлять о потенциальных ситуациях обжалования, таких как неспособность бегунов коснуться базы, нарушение порядка ударов или неконтролируемые махи, до тех пор, пока не будет подана апелляция.

Осенняя лига Аризоны (AFL) [ править ]

Низшая лига с коротким сезоном, в которой перспективные игроки высокого уровня из всех тридцати клубов Высшей бейсбольной лиги разделены на шесть команд, в которых игроки имеют возможность усовершенствовать и продемонстрировать свои навыки для оценки тренеров, скаутов и руководителей. Такие команды называются «командами разведчиков» и «командами такси».

рука [ править ]

Метоним кувшина («Эй продает два молодых оружия в Канзас-Сити  ...», [12], «...  Антопулос просто накапливает оружие в попытке завлечь торговлю  ...» [13] ).

вокруг рога [ править ]

  • Infielders практика "бросали в мяч друг другу после того, как записываете аут , при условии , нет бегунов на базу. Цель такая же традиционная, как и все остальное, но она также служит для того, чтобы активизировать метательное оружие инфилдеров. Как правило, если аут сделан на первой базе, первый игрок с низов бросает мяч в шорт-стоп , который бросает второму игроку с базы , который бросает третьему игроку с базы , который возвращает мяч питчеру . Шаблоны различаются от команды к команде, но третий игрок с низов обычно является последним полевым игроком, получившим бросок, независимо от схемы.
  • Бросок мяча вокруг рожка также выполняется после аута без бейсраннеров. Зрелище будет бросать мяч в третий человек с низов, который затем бросает его на второй человек с низов, который бросает его приятели, который затем бросает его в первой базы. Некоторые ловцы, такие как Иван Родригес , предпочитают бросить мяч первому игроку с низов, который затем начинает процесс в обратном порядке. Некоторые кетчеры определяют, кому они бросят, в зависимости от руки бьющего (первым для бьющего-правши, потому что линия к первому игроку с низов не заблокирована, и наоборот) или находится ли команда в избыточной смене, когда третий игрок с низов будет играть близко к тому месту, где обычно играет шортстоп, и для этого потребуется более сложный бросок.
  • Дополнительное применение этого термина - когда произошла двойная игра 5-4-3 , которая имитирует бросок мяча вокруг рожка.

поджигатель [ править ]

Неэффективный кувшин для облегчения . Обычно кувшин, который входит в игру без никого на базе, бросает несколько попыток. Напротив пожарного .

ясень [ править ]

Старомодное слово, обозначающее бейсбольную биту, которая обычно изготавливается из дерева ясеня. «Проницательный менеджер заменяет медленного бегуна быстрым и посылает нападающего, когда тот, кого он убивает, так же хорош с пеплом, как и тот, кого он посылает». [14]

аспирин [ править ]

Сленг для фастбола, в который особенно трудно попасть из-за его скорости и / или движения, имея в виду сложность контакта с чем-то таким маленьким, как таблетка аспирина . Может также указывать на отбивающих, которые видят поданный мяч относительно меньшим, чем обычно, что может иметь психологический эффект на отбивающих, находящихся в состоянии спада . [15] [16]

помогать [ редактировать ]

В официальных бомбардиром присуждает помочь каждому защитнику , который полей или касается мяча (после того, как он был удар по кляре) до более putout, даже если контакт был непреднамеренным. Например, если мяч ударяет ногу и отскоки игрока от него к другому полевому игроку , который помечает тег в baserunner, то первый игрок начислено помощи.
Полевой игрок может получить только одну передачу за каждый записанный аут. Полевой игрок также получает результативную передачу, если бы произошла нокаутация, если бы другой полевой игрок не совершил ошибку .

звездочка [ править ]

Сленговый термин для обозначения бейсбольного рекорда, который оспаривается в общественном мнении (т. Е. Неофициально) из-за мнения, что рекордсмен имел несправедливое преимущество в достижении рекорда. Это означает, что запись требует сноски, объясняющей предположительно несправедливое преимущество, а звездочка - это символ, обычно используемый в типографике для обозначения сносок. В последнее время он широко используется в следующих случаях:
  • Считается, что рекордсмен употреблял препараты , улучшающие работоспособность , независимо от того, подтверждено или допущено такое использование. Барри Бондса регулярно встречали транспарантами и знаками со звездочкой в ​​течение сезона 2007 года, когда он побил рекорд Хэнка Аарона в карьере хоумрана. Мяч, который Бондс ударил для рекордного хоумрана, был впоследствии отмечен звездочкой, прежде чем он был отправлен в Зал бейсбольной славы.
  • Обладатель односезонного рекорда совершил подвиг за более длительный сезон и, таким образом, получил дополнительные возможности побить рекорд. Хорошо известным примером этого был случай, когда Роджер Марис побил рекорд Хоумрана Бейб Рут за один сезон в последний день регулярного сезона из 162 игр в 1961 году, в то время как Рут установила предыдущий рекорд в сезоне из 154 игр в 1927 году. ; Использование звездочки проиллюстрировано в названии фильма 61 * , в котором рассказывалось о стремлении Марис побить рекорд Рут. Комиссар по бейсболу Форд Фрик заявил, что запись Марис должна быть указана отдельно от записи Рут (вопреки распространенному мнению, в данном случае звездочка не упоминалась и не использовалась), решение официально не отменялось до 1991 года.

на балу [ править ]

или «атомный шар»; сленг для мяча, отбиваемого прямо в защитника.

в летучей мыши [ править ]

  • Заполненный внешний вид плиты на тесто , которое приводит к основанию удара или не-жертва из . Ат-летучие мыши (или «время на летучей мыши») используются для расчета среднего количества ударов игрока и процента пробивания . Обратите внимание, что появление пластины не записывается как «ат-летучая мышь», если отбивающий достигает первой базы в результате базы на шарах или удара по высоте , а также если он выполняет жертвенную головку или жертвенную муху .
  • Иногда тесто может быть на тарелке, когда третий выход из тайма сделан против бейс-раннера; в этом случае отбивающий начинает следующий иннинг с чистым счетом ударов, и его прерванное появление на тарелке не засчитывается как атака.

у букв [ править ]

Поле, пересекающее пластину на высоте букв названия команды на рубашке формы отбивающего, называется «у букв», «до букв » или «до груди».

съел его [ править ]

Сленговое выражение действия мяча, с которым сложно справиться полевому игроку.

съел мяч [ править ]

Смотрите: съесть мяч

атаковать зону удара [ править ]

Сленг для агрессивной подачи посредством нанесения ударов, вместо того, чтобы пытаться обмануть нападающих, заставляя их делать удары за пределами зоны удара или пытаться «грызть углы» пластины. Эквивалентные фразы - «бей в зону удара» и «бросай вызов нападающим».

автоматический двойной [ править ]

Удар по мячу на территории ярмарки, который выскакивает из игры (например, на сиденья), дает право отбивающему и всем бегунам на базе продвинуться на две базы, но не дальше. Этот термин используется некоторыми комментаторами вместо двойного основного правила , которое относится к основным правилам, действующим на каждом этапе.

автоматическое предупреждение [ править ]

Удар считается "автоматическим", когда питчер наносит удар - обычно при счете 3: 0 - с такой уверенностью, что отбивающий берет подачу, не выполняя ее.

прочь [ править ]

  • Шаг за пределами зоны удара, на противоположной стороне пластины как тесто, называется «вдали», в отличие от шага, брошенного между пластиной и тестом, который известен как «внутри».
  • Сленг аутов. Например, тайм с двумя аутами может быть назван «двумя чужими»; вычеркивание может называться "убирать" тесто.
  • Игры, проводимые на домашнем поле соперника, являются «играми на выезде». Команду гостей иногда называют командой гостей.



B [ править ]

бэкдор, ломающий мяч [ править ]

Разбивающая подача, обычно ползунок , крученый мяч или разрезанный фастбол, который из-за своего бокового движения проходит через небольшую часть зоны удара на внешнем крае пластины после того, как кажется, что он полностью пропустит пластину. Он может не пересекать переднюю часть пластины, а только заднюю и, таким образом, проникнуть через «черный ход». Ползунок является наиболее распространенной версией, потому что ползунок имеет большее боковое движение, чем другие шаги разрыва .

остановка [ править ]

  • Ограждение за домом, предназначенное для защиты зрителей от диких полей или фолов.
  • Кэтчер , иногда «стопорщик».

спина к спине [ править ]

Последовательный. Когда два последовательных колотит попасть домой бежит, они говорят, хит спина к спине Хомерс . Или питчер может проводить прогулки один за другим и так далее.

бадболл нападающий [ править ]

Бэттер, который отлично справляется с бросками за пределами ударной зоны. Известные плохие нападающие включают Йоги Берра и Владимира Герреро .

плохой прыжок [ править ]

Мяч, который неожиданным образом отскакивает от полевого игрока , часто в результате несовершенства поля или вращения мяча.

сумка [ править ]

База. Кроме того, двухбэггер - это двойной или двухбазовый удар; три-упаковщик является тройной или три базы хит; четыре-упаковщик является домой бежать.

залог [ править ]

  • Бэттер, который видит, что к его голове приближается подача, может «выскочить» ( удариться о колоду ).
  • Когда два полевых игрока сходятся на флайболе, один из них может «выскочить», чтобы избежать столкновения с другим.
  • Рельеф кувшин может прийти в игру с мужчинами на базе и под залог предыдущего кувшина отключение от варенья .
В то время как первые два примера являются аналогами спасения самолета с парашютом, последний сродни спасению лодки, находящейся на грани затопления, или, возможно, спасению кого-то из тюрьмы.

балка [ править ]

Решение, вынесенное судьей против подачи , нарушающей правила, предназначено для предотвращения того, чтобы питчер нечестно обманул бейсраннера . Когда называется балка, каждый бегунможет свободно продвигаться на одну базу. В профессиональном бейсболе мяч не сразу становится мертвым. Если подача выбрана, и все бегуны продвигаются на одну базу из-за удара, игра продолжается, и блокировка игнорируется. Это случается редко, потому что, когда объявлен мяч, питчер обычно прекращает подачу, а судья объявляет мяч мертвым и присуждает подачу. В непрофессиональном бейсболе (средняя школа и колледж) мяч мгновенно оказывается мертвым, и бегуны получают свои базы. В правилах указано, какие качки являются незаконными. Обычно называемые «брейки» - это неспособность питчера занять определенную позицию (или наступление нескольких сетов) или неспособность шагнуть в направлении базы, в которую он бросает. Суть забоя в том, что определенные движения означают, что питчер начал подачу, поэтому бегун не может бытьснял . Некоторые препятствия возникают в результате ошибочных или неудачных движений, например, когда мяч выскальзывает из руки питчера. Гораздо более редким является упор кэтчера , когда кэтчер движется из-за зоны тарелки до того, как питчер начинает подачу (применимо только во время преднамеренной прогулки).

мяч [ править ]

Шаг , который не попадает в зону удара и не замахнулся на в кляре . (Чтобы узнать о физическом объекте, используемом в игре, см. Бейсбол (мяч) .)

мяч в игре [ править ]

В саберметрии термины «мяч в игре» и « средний уровень по мячу в игре » (BABIP) имеют определенные технические определения, которые используются для определения способностей питчеров независимо от защиты команды. В этом определении хоумран - это не мяч в игре. См. Статистику подачи независимой защиты . Также смотрите в игре .

Балтиморская отбивная [ править ]

Мяч с силой ударился о землю возле своей тарелки, отскочив высоко над головой полевого игрока. [17] Это дает тестирующему время, чтобы безопасно добраться до первой базы, прежде чем мяч может быть выставлен на поле. Важным элементом Балтимор Иволги тренер Джон McGraw «„s внутри бейсбол “стратегия, техника была популяризировал во время МЛБ » s мертвый мяч эпохи , во время которой бейсбольные команды не могли рассчитывать на бежать домой. [18]
Чтобы придать отбивной в Балтиморе максимальную отдачу, садовник Иволги Том Мерфи плотно уложил грязь вокруг домашней тарелки, смешал ее с твердой глиной и оставил приусадебный участок без полива. [19] Игроки Speedy Orioles, такие как Джон Макгроу , Джо Келли , Стив Броди и Уилли Киллер, чаще всего практиковали и совершенствовали его.
В современном бейсболе балтиморский отбивной встречается гораздо реже, обычно это происходит, когда отбивающий случайно пролетает над мячом. Иногда результат более заметен на бриллиантах с искусственным покрытием . Эта техника все еще находит применение в софтболе . [20]

стебель банана [ править ]

Летучая мышь, изготовленная из древесины низшего качества и низкого качества. [21] См. Также утренний дневник.

Bandbox [ править ]

Приблизительная с малыми размерами , что поощряет преступления, особенно дома работает . Crackerbox . (см .: Baker Bowl и стадион Citizens Bank Ballpark )

взрыв [ править ]

  • Отмена игры из-за плохой погоды: «Я думал, что нас разобьют, но мы сделали пять подач».
  • Сильно бить по мячу, особенно по Гомеру. « Атли ударил по хоумрану».
  • Игроки, получившие удар, получают травмы, но могут продолжать игру. Пример: «Banged up Braves готовы к матчу-реваншу в плей-офф с Астросом».
  • Бах-игра является захватывающей или близко игрой. Пример из спортивного заголовка: «Настоящий взор».
  • Бах бах игра является тот , в котором второе место едва выброшен, очень близкий вызов, как правило , на первой базе. Возможно, это отражение «удара» мяча в перчатке игрока с первой базы, за которым сразу же последовал «хлопок» ноги бейсраннера, попавшего в мешок.
  • Удар внутри - это когда питчер бросает на внутреннюю часть тарелки, и отбивающий не может вытянуть руки настолько, чтобы ударить по мячу, который «бьет» в рукавицу кэтчера. «Это было невероятное чувство, которое я никогда не забуду», - сказал Джавотелла . « Шерцер весь день пытался наброситься на меня. Он бил меня внутрь, и я не мог протянуть руки. Думаю, в тот раз он промазал по тарелке, и я сунул руки внутрь, поднял ее, и она вылетела. парка ". [22]

банджо нападающий [ править ]

Тесто , кому не хватает мощности. Нападающий на банджо обычно попадает в одиночные игры, часто сразу мимо приусадебной земли, и у него будет низкий процент пробивания . Считается, что это название произошло от щелкающего звука летучей мыши при контакте, как у банджо . См. Также удар Панч и Джуди .

голыми руками [ править ]

Относится к тому моменту, когда полевой игрок ловит мяч рукой, не прикрытой перчаткой.

ствол [ править ]

Продвинутая метрика, которая измеряет время, когда отбивающий ударяет по мячу под определенными углами запуска с определенной скоростью выхода. Бочки с большей вероятностью произведут попадания, особенно вне базы, чем не-стволы.

бочка [ править ]

В современном бейсболе это означает сильный удар по полю с помощью бейсбольной биты.
Увидеть золотую середину .

базовый удар [ править ]

Смотрите хит .

базовый удар [ править ]

Сингл . См . Также удары .

Бейсболистка Энни [ править ]

  • Женская « поклонница », известная своей «легкой» бейсболисткой. Сьюзан Сарандон сыграла роль персонажа Энни Савой в американском фильме 1988 года « Булл Дарем ».
  • Печально известная Рут Энн Штайнхаген была первой «Бейсболисткой Энни». Она стала одержима Кабс, а затем Филлис, первым игроком с низов Эдди Вайткус . Она прострела ему грудь, чуть не убив его в 1949 году. Эта история вдохновила на создание романа 1952 года «Натуральный» .

базы загружены [ править ]

Бегуны на первой, второй и третьей базах. Также известны как « базы заполнены », « базы упакованы », « базы заблокированы », « базы слиты », « базы забиты », « базы загрязнены » или « базы выпиты ». Это представляет большой скоринг возможность для ватин команды, но она также представляет собой легкую двойную игру возможность для защиты . Загрузка баз называется загрузкой баз . Тесто часто намеренно ходят когда есть бегуны на 2-й и 3-й базе, чтобы защите было легче записать более одного аута.
Ситуация с нагрузкой на базы - единственный раз, когда на домашней плите присутствует сила .
Так как нет дополнительного места для размещения отбивающего , если он получит первую базу с базы по шарам или попадет по мячу , один забег будет засчитан из-за того, что игрок с третьей базы будет вынужден вернуться домой. Хронологически только игроки высшей лиги Эбнер Далримпл , Нап Ладжуа , Мел Отт , Билл Николсон , Барри Бондс и Джош Гамильтон имеют отличия в том, что их специально ходили с загруженными базами.
Когда выполняется хоумран с загруженными базами, это называется большим шлемом . Он набирает четыре рана, что является наибольшим количеством ранов, которое может быть забито за одну игру.

подвал [ править ]

Последнее место, конец турнирной таблицы. Также подвал .

baserunner [ править ]

Бейсраннер (сокращенно «бегун») - это игрок в атакующей команде (т. Е. В команде с летучей мышью ), который благополучно достиг базы .

корзина улова [ править ]

Ловля мухолового мяча перчаткой, расположенной на талии, а не руками, расположенными над плечами.

летучая мышь [ править ]

  • Бейсбольная бита является гладким фасонным круглым деревянным или металлическим стержнем используется , чтобы отбить мяч , брошенный в кувшине . Диаметр летучей мыши на одном конце (конец ствола ) больше, чем на другом ( рукоять ). Нижний конец ручки - ручка . Тесто обычно пытается ударить по мячу в зоне наилучшего восприятия около середины ствола летучей мыши, иногда называемой жирной частью летучей мыши или мясным концом летучей мыши .
  • Можно сказать, что игрок, использующий его для удара по мячу - бьющий, нападающий или игрок с битой, бьет по мячу .
  • Об игроке, известном как хороший нападающий, можно сказать, что у него хорошая летучая мышь . Заголовок: «Шортстоп сочетает золотую перчатку с твердой битой». [23] Об игроке, который умеет как бить, так и защищаться, можно сказать, что у него хорошая летучая мышь и хорошая перчатка. Заголовок «У Веслианского шорт-стопа Уинна есть летучая мышь и перчатка» [24] не означает, что Уинн владеет битой и перчаткой, это означает, что он очень искусен как в ударе, так и в защите.
  • Можно сказать, что команда с большим количеством хороших нападающих имеет много «летучих мышей» (имея в виду игроков, а не инструмент). «Это потрясающая вещь, когда мы все так начинаем», - сказал Мерфи . «В нашем составе так много летучих мышей, что нас трудно победить, если мы будем продолжать бить». [25]

летучая мышь [ править ]

По словам Диксона Бейсбол словарь , команда имеет «сомкнул вокруг» , когда каждый из девяти колотит в команды линейке сделал пластинчатый внешний вид , и первое тесто приходит снова в течение одного тайма. [26] Dictionary.com , однако, определяет «летучая мышь» как «чтобы каждый игрок в составе играл с битой в течение одного иннинга». [27] Это не официальная статистика. Мнения расходятся относительно того, должны ли девять бьющих получить ат-летучую мышь, или если начальный бьющий должен снова бить, чтобы «бить вокруг» произошло. [28]

летучая мышь [ править ]

Физическое свойство летучей мыши, выражаемое (обычно) отрицательным числом, равным весу летучей мыши в унциях за вычетом ее длины в дюймах. Например, у летучей мыши длиной 34 дюйма (86 см) и весом 31 унции (880 г) падение веса летучей мыши составляет –3. В общем, летучими мышами с большим падением летучей мыши (то есть более легкими) легче качать, а летучие мыши с меньшим падением летучей мыши (то есть более тяжелыми) могут производить более высокую скорость мяча, хотя эти результаты зависят от способности отбивающего.

летучая мышь [ править ]

Праздник, на котором отбивающий, который только что совершил хоумран, драматично переворачивает / подбрасывает биту, а не просто роняет ее, когда начинает бежать. Эта практика противоречива - некоторые игроки, такие как Тим Андерсон и Хосе Баутиста , подвергались репрессиям со стороны противоположной команды, когда они перебрасывались битой после хоумрана против них. [29]

бить мячом [ править ]

Удар по мячу битой - будь то на справедливой территории или нарушение .

тесто [ править ]

Игрок , который находится в летучей мыши и пытается ударить по мячу битой . Также упоминается как «нападающий» или «игрок с битой».

глаз бьющего [ править ]

Сплошная, обычно темная область за центральной стенкой поля, которая является визуальным фоном для отбивающего, смотрящего на питчера . Это позволяет тестирующему видеть поданный мяч на темном и незагроможденном фоне, в большей степени для безопасности тестирующего. Использование фона отбивающего было стандартным в бейсболе (а также в крикете, где они называются «прицельными экранами»), по крайней мере, с конца 1800-х годов.
Одним из примеров фона бьющего является черная область в центре поля первого стадиона Янки . Когда-то в этой секции были сиденья, но из-за того, что они отвлекали внимание, сиденья были убраны, а зона была окрашена в черный цвет.

коробка для теста [ править ]

Прямоугольник по обе стороны от домашней пластины, в котором должен стоять отбивающий для возобновления честной игры. Ноги и руки вне штрафной площадки недостаточно, чтобы остановить игру (хотя питчеры обычно уважают желание отбивающего выйти из штрафной площадки). Судья должен предоставить отбивающему тайм-аут до того, как игра будет остановлена.

батарея [ править ]

Кувшин и ловители рассматривать как единое целое, который также может быть назван batterymen [30] или batterymates друг от друга. Использование этого слова впервые было придумано Генри Чедвиком в 1860-х годах в отношении огневой мощи качающего штаба команды и вдохновлено артиллерийскими батареями, которые тогда использовались во время Гражданской войны в США . [31] Позже термин развился для обозначения комбинированной эффективности питчера и кэтчера. [31] [32]

товарищи по батарее [ править ]

Кувшин и ловец из одной и той же команды. Смотрите "аккумулятор".

средний уровень [ править ]

Среднее количество ударов (BA) - это среднее количество ударов на летучую мышь (BA = H / AB). Идеальный средний уровень - 1.000 (читай: «одна тысяча»). Среднее значение 0,300 («триста») считается отличным, что означает, что лучшие нападающие не получают попаданий в 70% своих атак. Даже уровень .400, который является выдающимся и редким (последний раз был достигнут на уровне высшей лиги в 1941 году), предполагает «провал» в 60% случаев. Базы по мячам не учитываются при расчете среднего показателя. Это одна из причин, по которой OBP теперь считают " figger filberts""как более точная мера ценности нападающего на тарелке. В 1887 году был эксперимент с включением баз на мячах в качестве ударов (и как у летучих мышей) при вычислении среднего количества ударов. OBP, но это было расценено как "маркетинговый трюк" и через год от него отказались. В конечном итоге это поставило Кэпа Ансона в подвешенное состояние относительно его карьерных успехов; отбрасывание баз на мячах из его статистики 1887 года, как это делают некоторые энциклопедии, поставило его в тупик. карьера количество просмотров ниже общей отметки 3000.

практика битья [ править ]

Период, часто перед игрой, когда игроки разминаются или отрабатывают технику нанесения ударов. Иногда относится к периоду в игре, когда нападающие одной команды настолько полностью доминируют над данным питчером, что игра напоминает тренировочную сессию отбивания мяча. В просторечии и сокращенно обозначается как BP.

битва [ править ]

Когда нападающий работает со счетом , проявляя терпение , возможно, намеренно выбивая поля, на которых он не может получить хорошее дерево , он, как говорят, «сражается».

базука [ править ]

Сильная метательная рука. Пушка , пушка , винтовка .

BB [ править ]

  • Линейный драйв бьет так сильно, что полевой игрок не может его догнать. Речь идет о выстрелах из пулемета BB .
  • «BB» - это сокращенное обозначение прогулки , также известное как « основа на шарах ». Прогулки записываются под столбцом «BB» в ячейке счета .

BBCOR [ править ]

Инициализм для коэффициента реституции « Баттед-мяч» , стандарта, которому должны соответствовать все недревесные биты (как металлические, так и композитные ), чтобы их можно было использовать в большинстве любительских бейсбольных лиг, таких как бейсбол в колледжах США . [33]

фасоль [ править ]

Шаг намеренно бросили ударить в тесто , если он не двигается в сторону, особенно когда она направлена на голове (или «боб» в старомодном жаргоне). Слово фасоль также может использоваться как глагол, как в следующем заголовке: « Пьяцца говорит, что Клеменс намеренно избил его». [34]

выбить [ править ]

Кевин Пиллар (справа) выбрасывает мяч на первую базу.
Когда бегун добирается до первой базы перед броском, он отбивает бросок или отбивает его . Сродни ноге . «Бросок Грина на первую базу вытаскивает Гонсалеса из мешка, и Норрис Хоппер достаточно быстр, чтобы выбить его, прежде чем Гонсалес сможет снова поставить ногу на мешок». [35]

бить рэп [ править ]

Происходит, когда отбивающий ударяет мячом о землю, когда бегун идет первым и имеет менее двух аутов. Если игра потенциально может быть двойной , отбивающий может побить рэп, если он достигнет первой базы до броска полевого игрока, записавшего результат на второй базе. Результат игры становится выбором полевого игрока.

позади в подсчете [ править ]

Напротив впереди в счете . Для бэттера: когда в счетчике ударов больше, чем шаров. Для питчера: наоборот.
Если питчер отстает в счете, он находится в возрастающей опасности ходить с отбивающим. Если отбивающий отстает, он находится в возрастающей опасности нанести удар. «В то время как он позволил только три удара, он прошел пять и разбил сзади в счете». [36]

пояс [ править ]

  • Сильно ударить по мячу в сторону дальнего поля или из парка, справедливо или с нарушением правил. "Джонс привязывает тот глубоко налево  ... но просто фол".
  • Фактический пояс, который носит игрок как часть формы, обычно упоминается в связи с расположением поля или мяча в игре. «Бенард делает фастбол, внешний угол у пояса, называется страйк», или «Приземлился резко в яму с короткой дистанции - справа от него Аурилия выполняет прыжок выше пояса и стреляет первой; двумя дальше».

скамейка [ править ]

  • «Скамейка» - это место, где игроки сидят в блиндаже, когда они не бьют битой, в круге на палубе или на поле.
  • «Скамейка» может также относиться к игрокам , которые не входят в состав, но все еще имеют право участвовать в игре. «Скамья ЛаРуссы исчерпана из-за всех обязанностей по бегу на щипцы и щипки, которые он должен был выполнить сегодня вечером».

жокей скамейки [ править ]

Игрок, тренер или менеджер, обладающий талантом раздражать и отвлекать игроков соперника и судей от блиндажа своей команды, устно отчитываясь . Особенно полезно против тех, у кого кроличьи уши . Словесный рыцарский поединок часто называют «верховой ездой» - поэтому «всадник» из блиндажа становится «жокеем». Считается, что искусство управлять игроками противника достаточно, чтобы нервировать их (но недостаточно, чтобы разозлить их и спровоцировать драку), в игре 21-го века быстро исчезает. Бейсболистам Высшей лиги, внесенным в список травмированных, разрешено находиться на скамейке запасных, но не разрешается участвовать в соревнованиях на скамейке запасных. [37]

Бендер [ править ]

Curveball .

большой, как грейпфрут [ править ]

Когда нападающий видит поле так хорошо, что оно кажется больше, чем его фактический размер, он может описать мяч как «большой, как грейпфрут». «После хоумрана 565 футов Микки Мантл однажды сказал:« Я только что увидел мяч размером с грейпфрут ». Во время резкого спада Джо« Даки »Медвик из St. Louis Cardinals сказал, что он « пил аспирин. '. " [38]

большая муха [ править ]

Домой бежать .

большой иннинг [ править ]

Менталитет, противоположный маленькому мячу , если команда думает о «большом иннинге», она сосредотачивается на том, чтобы набирать очки, проходя строго через базовые удары и домашние забеги, в отличие от головок или других жертв. В более общем смысле, «большой иннинг» - это иннинг, в котором нарушение оценивается большим количеством ранов, обычно четыре или более.

Высшая лига [ править ]

Прозвище Высшей лиги бейсбола

большие качели [ править ]

Взмах биты, который производит хоумран. «Пинч-бегун Эрнан Перес заменил Мартинеса, а Перес обошел Диркса , подготовив почву для большого размаха Авилы» . [39]

большие [ править ]

В высшей лиге , Главные Лиги , " The Show ". Если ты в большой лиге, ты член большой лиги, игрок высшей лиги.

бингл [ править ]

Сингл . Базовый удар, который заканчивается тем, что нападающий оказывается на первой базе. «Браун попытался превратить схватку в дубль, но проиграл, Монте Ирвин - Фрэнку Остину». [40] (В настоящее время используется редко.)

взрыв [ править ]

Бежать домой , как правило , один , который хорошо попал.

трибуны [ править ]

Сиденья с трибунами (короче, трибуны ) - это открытые сиденья, которые обычно представляют собой многоуровневые скамейки или другие недорогие сиденья, расположенные за пределами поля или в любой области за пределами главной трибуны. Этот термин исходит из предположения, что скамейки выбелены на солнце. «Отбеливатели» - это сокращение от первоначально использованного термина «отбеливающие доски». Поклонников, сидящих на трибуне, иногда называют бездельниками с трибуны или существами с трибуны .

кровотечение [ править ]

Слабо пораженный наземный шар, который наносит базовый удар. Попадание царапины . «Данн подошел к Морре, который прыгнул на первой же подаче, которую он увидел, и попал в прокачку, которая не покидала приусадебного участка, двигаясь по Градволу». [41]

волдыри [ править ]

Мяч, по которому ударили так сильно, что кажется, что он сам выделяет тепло, можно сказать, что он покрылся волдырями. « Затем Чепмен поразил мяч в направлении левого центра, а Кноблаух отскочил назад, двигаясь плавно, и поймал мяч с вытянутой рукой». [42]

заблокировать тарелку [ править ]

Кэтчер (слева) падает на оба колена, чтобы заблокировать тарелку от бейсраннера соперника во время бейсбольного матча в японской средней школе.
Ловец , который ставит ноги, ногу или все тело между домашней пластиной и бегуном , пытающимся забить, называются «блок пластины». Блокирование тарелки - опасная тактика и может считаться препятствием ( Официальные правила бейсбола, Правило 2.00 (Препятствие) ).

кривая петли [ править ]

Eephus основного тона ( QV ); поле для трюка, брошенное как поле для софтбола с медленным шагом , с высокой траекторией дуги и очень небольшой скоростью (примерно 40-55 миль в час или меньше). В частности, такую ​​подачу якобы бросали как кривую мячом .

ляп [ править ]

  • Блуп или ляп - это слабо пораженный мяч, который попадает в сингл между инфилдером и аутфилдером . Также известен как сингл bloop , умирающий перепел или фырканье утки.
  • Ошибка поля. Заголовок: « Red Sox ролл White Sox после ляпа Контрераса ». [43]
  • Странная или забавная игра, например, когда питчер бросает мяч в кэтчер после того, как бьющий вышел из бокса для бьющего и был объявлен тайм-аут - возможно, удар мячом по голове кэтчера. [44]

удар [ править ]

  • Для того, чтобы взорвать игру потерять его после того , как руководство. «У нас была игра, и мы ее провалили».
  • Для того, чтобы взорвать шаг ( «от» жидкого теста), чтобы бросить одну так быстро Тесто успевать (с ним).
  • Для того, чтобы взорвать ворота потерять лидерство или игру после вступления в игру в « спасти ситуацию ». Это имеет техническое значение в бейсбольной статистике .
  • Хит, как правило, хоумран : « Победа надувных уплотнений Ортиса» .

взорвать [ править ]

Чтобы получить доминирующее преимущество в игре, возможно, после того, как игра стала очень соревновательной или счет остался равным или близким. « Пираты забивают поздно, чтобы взорвать открытую закрытую игру против Стоуни-Брук ». [45]

взорванное сохранение [ править ]

Сбитый спасбросок ( BS ) начисляется питчеру, который вступает в игру в ситуации спасброска, но позволяет засчитанному результату забить. Если питчер и далее позволяет выиграть результативную серию, он получает как проигрыш, так и спасбросок. Если после выполнения спасброска команда питчера восстанавливает лидерство, питчеру также может быть засчитана победа. Унесенные спасброски не являются официально признанной статистикой Высшей бейсбольной лиги, но признаны премией Ролайдского спасителя , которая взимает два очка против рекорда питающего за возможность взорванного спасброска. Часто используется в передачах для характеристики «рекорда» доводчиков.аналогично счетам выигрышей и проигрышей стартеров. «Джонс сделал 31 сейв из 34» или «У Джонса 31 сейв и три сэйва».

воздуходувка [ править ]

Рифмуется со словом «close». Более близкий, который, кажется, получает больше спасбросков, чем спасбросков .

синий [ править ]

Судья , ссылаясь на типичных темно - синий цвет однороднее судейского. Иногда используется насмешливо в профессиональном бейсболе, например, когда жалуется на решение, например: «Да ладно, Блю!»

бомба [ править ]

Домой бежать .

промах [ править ]

Бонер является умственной ошибкой , которая меняет ход игры резко.

бонусный ребенок [ править ]

Молодой игрок, получивший подписной бонус.

бонусный бейсбол [ править ]

Дополнительные возможности . Наиболее широко используется диктором Сан-Диего Падрес (и бывшим Бостон Ред Сокс ) Доном Орсилло . Диктор Янки Майкл Кей также назвал "бонусными песнями" .

загружен [ править ]

Сделал ошибку , ударил ногой - обычно имеется в виду неправильная игра на наземном мяче . « Мигель Кабрера ударил наземным мячом Алексу С. Гонсалесу , который загрузил мяч. Если бы Гонсалес выставил мяч правильно,« Кабс »могли бы закончить тайм двойной игрой ». [46]

конец подачи [ править ]

Вторая половина или « вторая половина» из тайма , в течение которого команда хозяев летучих мышей, полученных от своей позиции в линии надреза .

дно выпало из него [ править ]

Иногда говорят о грузиле или дроп-шаре , имея в виду, что подача внезапно сместилась вниз, как будто через люк . В идеале питчер бросает с той же привычной скоростью руки и точкой выброса только для того, чтобы «дно выпало» в последний момент, оставляя отбивающему в недоумении, что же произошло. [47]

коробка [ править ]

  • Близости от насыпи питчера . Бейсбольные комментаторы иногда ссылаются на то, что мяч, в который отбитый мяч, возвращается через область насыпи питчера, прошел через коробку , или кувшин, удаленный из игры, будет считаться выбитым из коробки . В первые дни игры насыпи не было; питчер должен был выпустить мяч, находясь внутри коробки, нарисованной на земле. Несмотря на то, что курган заменил ящик, эта терминология все еще существует.
  • А также ящик для теста , область, в которой стоит тесто при ударе. Бэттер должен находиться в коробке, чтобы питчер мог подать.

шкала очков [ править ]

Статистическая сводка игры. Линия надрез это сокращенный вариант партитуры коробки, скопированный из поля табло. Создание партитуры приписывают Генри Чедвику .

BP [ править ]

  • б Аттинг р ractice .
  • Сторонники бейсбольных исследований также иногда называют Baseball Prospectus BP.

BR [ править ]

Летучие мыши правильно; используется при описании статистики игрока, например: Джон Доу (TR, BR, 6 футов, 172 фунта).

новая игра с мячом [ править ]

Когда команда забивает гол запуска (ы), довести счет до галстука, он сказал, что «совершенно новая игра с мячом». Фраза была популяризирована телеведущим Зала славы Доджерс Вин Скалли .

разбить мяч [ править ]

Любая высота звука, которая заметно отклоняется от "прямой" или ожидаемой траектории из-за вращения, используемого питчером для достижения желаемого эффекта. Некоторые примеры - это шарнир , ползунок и шарик .

разорвать [ править ]

Чтобы бросить мяч .

открыть игру [ править ]

Когда команда получает преимущество в нескольких забегах, возможно, в одном розыгрыше, который увеличивает их лидерство, можно сказать, что игра «взломана». " Падре открыли игру пятью пробежками в пятом, благодаря трем ошибкам Кабс , которые потеряли 12 из 14." [48]

принести [ править ]

Для подачи ; часто используется для фастбола : подавать газ , подавать тепло , подавать .

сломанная летучая мышь [ править ]

Прилагательное, относящееся к игре, которая начинается с того, что отбивающий ломает биту при контакте с мячом.

Бомбардировщики Бронкса [ править ]

Прозвище, данное « Нью-Йорк Янкиз» из-за их способности играть на поле, удобном для нападающих.

бронкс ура [ править ]

Саркастические возгласы толпы; «малина».

просмотр [ редактировать ]

Бэттер, который выглядит потрясающе, особенно если бэттер вообще не двигал битой. Этот термин в основном используется спортивными комментаторами.

ответная реакция [ править ]

Шаг намеренно брошены близко к кляре , чтобы запугать его, то есть, чтобы «почистить его обратно» от пластины. Также целевая музыка для высоты тона или подбородка . Архаичное употребление: «продувка». [49]

доллар и изменение [ править ]

Игрок, отбивающий между 0,100 и 0,199, считается отбивающим «доллар и сдача» или, более конкретно, эквивалентное среднее значение в долларах (баксов) и центах (сдача). Пример: тестирующий ватин 0,190 считается отбивающим «доллар девяносто». Игроки в высшей лиге с таким низким средним показателем, скорее всего, будут понижены в рейтинге до AAA за добавку или даже сразу отпущены. См. Также линию Мендосы .

ошибка на коврике [ править ]

Фраза, придуманная диктором Pittsburgh Pirates Бобом Принсом в 1970-х годах. Бездельник, который пронесся сквозь щель, особенно на искусственном газоне.

Изменения в Bugs Bunny [ править ]

Смена шага, которая, кажется, прибывает на домашнюю площадку так медленно, что отбивающий может сделать три удара и промахнуться на одной подаче. Whiff-whiff-whiff, три удара, и тесто выключено. Речь идет о Bugs Bunny , анимационном персонаже мультфильма, который изображен с такой подачей в мультфильме Baseball Bugs . Когда замена Хоффмана превратилась в универсальное оружие, его товарищи по команде по питанию трепетали от этого, как и многие нападающие. Им это так понравилось, что они дали ему прозвище. Они назвали это "Багз Банни Питч". «Можно было взмахнуть им трижды, и он все равно не попал бы в рукавицу», - сказал Эшби , вспоминая об этом знаменитом мультфильме. «Клянусь, он мог сказать им, что это приближается, но они все еще не могли попасть в него.[50]

КПЗ [ править ]

"Bullpen" может использоваться для описания области, в которой сидят эти питчеры для помощи Tampa Bay Rays , или как метоним самих питчеров.
  • Зона, используемая питчерами и кэтчерами для разминки перед взятием насыпи, когда игра уже началась. Эта область, как правило , в сторону вдоль левой или правой базовой линии, или позади полевым забором. Он почти никогда не находится на справедливой территории , по-видимому, из-за риска вмешательства в живые выступления. Редкое исключение было на стадионе Polo Grounds в Нью-Йорке, где стойла находились в глубоких левой и правой четверть круга центральной части поля.
  • А команды рельеф качки корпуса (названная так потому , что шнуры в КПЗ во время игры).
Существуют различные теории происхождения термина, более подробно обсуждаемые в основной статье.

КПЗ комитетом [ править ]

Стратегия, при которой клуб не назначает питчеров на смену конкретным ролям, таким как «ближе», «подготовка» или «длительное облегчение», и вместо этого может использовать любого питчера в любой момент времени. На уровне высшей лиги эта стратегия обычно используется, когда ближайший к клубу недоступен.

сессия КПЗ [ править ]

Регулярное мероприятие для начинающих питчеров в течение сезона.

КПЗ [ править ]

Редко используется стратегия , которая предполагает использование строки рельефных кувшинов (некоторые из которых, в этой стратегии, может быть кувшины чаще используются в качестве закуски ) в попадал в не более двух подач вместо того , чтобы полагаться на один кувшин на работу большинство подач . [51]

удар [ править ]

Насыпь кувшинов. "Кто сегодня на шишке?"

бунт [ править ]

  • Преднамеренно слабым ударом по мячу в определенное место на приусадебном участке, удерживая биту почти неподвижно, с одной рукой за зону наилучшего восприятия (см. Под битой ) и позволяя мячу попасть в нее. Обычно головня используется для продвижения других бегунов и затем называется жертвоприношением, или жертвенным ударом, или жертвенной головкой . Если все сделано правильно, у полевых игроков нет игры, кроме как в лучшем случае выбросить бегуна с первой базы.
  • Скоростные бегуны также головни для базовых хитов , когда Infielders будет играть обратно . В такой ситуации нападающие-левши могут использовать перетаскивающую головку , в которой они начинают шагать к первой базе, завершая удар головкой. Даже великий отбивающий Микки Мантл время от времени тащил головню, пользуясь своей 3,1-секундной скоростью от дома до первой базы. В настоящее время Райан Циммерман из Nationals примечателен тем, что он нападающий-правша, успешно использующий перетяжку.

лига кустов [ править ]

Сленговый термин для обозначения игры низшей лиги или непрофессионального качества. В «кустах» или же «палочка» являются небольшими городами , где команды незначительных лиг могут работать. «Бушер» относится к кому-то из «лиги кустарников»: см. Подзаголовок первой книги Ринга Ларднера «Ты знаешь меня, Эл: Письма Бушера».

специальный бизнесмен [ править ]

Дневная игра в будний день.

арестовать его [ править ]

Забросить фастбол в руки нападающему. Кроме того : его связать , на кухне .

мясник [ править ]

Очень плохой полевой игрок.

мальчик-мясник [ править ]

Стратегия, при которой нападающий сначала показывает, что он намеревается бить, отводит биту, когда питчер начинает подачу, и быстро замахивается на поле. Обычно используется более слабыми нападающими, такими как питчеры. Грег Мэддакс был известен тем, что эффективно использовал эту тактику в начале своей карьеры в «Чикаго Кабс» и «Атланта Брэйвз».

гудеть в башне [ править ]

Бросать высокий фастбол вперед и назад нападающему, как правило, с намерением оттолкнуть нападающего от тарелки или сделать заявление . См. Также обратную связь и шаг цели .



C [ править ]

Лига Кактусов [ править ]

Группа команд, которые проводят свои предсезонные весенние тренировочные показательные игры в Аризоне, где кактус растет в изобилии. См. Также Грейпфрутовая лига .

Кэдди [ править ]

Единственная функция кэдди состоит в том, чтобы выступать в качестве замены в поздних иннингах однобокой игры, выступать в качестве защитной замены стареющего мощного нападающего или прижимать ран.

позвонил [ править ]

Команда Высшей лиги может вызывать или повышать игрока из низших лиг в течение сезона, чтобы занять место в ее списке, часто для замены игрока, который был отправлен в низшие лиги или внесен в список инвалидов . Можно сказать, что игроки, которые ранее играли в высшей лиге (и были отправлены в отставку), скорее отозваны , чем вызваны. После 31 августа могут быть вызваны несколько игроков младшей лиги, которые займут место в расширенном составе .

пушка [ править ]

  • Сильная рука. Также пистолет .
  • Бросить сильно. Диктор, следующий за игрой, в которой шорт-стоп выставляет наземный мяч и делает сильный бросок первым: «Гиллен стреляет и достает его».

банка кукурузы [ править ]

Высокий, легкий для ловли мяч попадает в дальнюю часть поля. Говорят, что эта фраза возникла в девятнадцатом веке и относится к старинному способу бакалейщика доставать консервы с высокой полки. С помощью палки с крючком на конце бакалейщик мог наклонить банку, чтобы она упала ему в фартук. Одна из теорий использования кукурузы в качестве консервированного продукта в этой фразе заключается в том, что банка кукурузы считалась самым легким «уловом», поскольку кукуруза была самым продаваемым овощем в магазине и поэтому ее много продавали на самых нижних полках. Другая теория состоит в том, что кукуруза относится к практике в самые ранние дни бейсбола называть периферийное поле «кукурузным полем», особенно в раннем любительском бейсболе, где дальнее поле могло быть фермерским полем. Часто используется Red Barber, вариацию, 'A # 8 CAN OF GOLDEN BANTAM', одобрил Боб Принс , диктор Pittsburgh Pirates. Фраза также использовалась диктором Янки Филом Риццуто , Red Sox, а затем диктором White Sox Кеном «Ястребом» Харрельсоном , а также диктором Blue Jays и бывшим менеджером Баком Мартинесом, озвученным в популярной видеоигре Triple Play 2000 . Также фраза, используемая для обозначения чего-то несложного. Неформально банку кукурузы можно использовать как фразу для описания легкого волнения, личного признания или признания значимости.

Капитан Крюк [ править ]

Тренер, который часто выводит питчера из игры при первых признаках неприятностей. Спарки Андерсон был, пожалуй, лучшим примером «Капитана Крюка» на уровне высшей лиги. См. Крючок .

разделить [ править ]

Когда кувшин быстро разносит тесто с тремя или четырьмя тонами, на которые тесто только нюхает, можно сказать, что кувшин «разрезал тесто» - как шеф-повар, разделывающий индейку. Заголовок: «Как Buehrle поделен Tampa Bay только с одним 90 миль в час шагом.» [52]

наличными [ править ]

Сбить раннера, который уже находится на базе. «Лорен Рребек затем обналичила обоих бегунов с хоумраном через левый забор поля, чтобы сравнять счет со счетом 7–7 с двумя подачами до игры». [53]

сиденье catbird [ править ]

Желательная или благоприятная ситуация. Популяризовал Red Barber , давний телеведущий Brooklyn Dodgers . Джеймс Тербер написал в своем рассказе под тем же названием: «Сидеть в кресле кошачьей птицы» означает сидеть красиво, как отбивающий с тремя мячами и не наносить ударов по нему. Дрозд сказал , чтобы искать самую высокую точку в дереве , чтобы спеть свою песню, так что кто - то в дрозд сиденье высоко.

догнать фастбол [ править ]

Как если бы отбивающий бежал бегом с фастболом, он, как говорят, «догонит» фастбол, если его время реакции и скорость биты достаточно высоки, чтобы поразить фастбол мощным питчером . «Наши отчеты разведки показывают, что он все еще может ударить и все еще догнать фастбол. Пока он может догнать фастбол, он получит деньги». [54]

вмешательство ловца [ править ]

Это вмешательство кетчера, когда кэтчер физически мешает бьющему совершить прыжок на поле. В профессиональном бейсболе игра продолжается, и после прекращения непрерывной игры судья называет время. Наказанием является то, что бьющему предоставляется первая база; любой бегун, пытающийся украсть, получает эту базу, а все остальные бегуны продвигаются только в случае принуждения. Менеджер атакующей команды может оставить результат игры себе. Судьи не предоставят ему право выбора, и он должен прямо заявить об этом до продолжения игры после присуждения баз. Ловец обвиняется в ошибке. Это один из многих типов интерференционного вызова.

поймал на поиске [ править ]

С сайта Open-site.org : термин, используемый, когда бьющему наносится третий удар, но бэттер не пытается замахнуться на поле.

поймал дремлющий [ править ]

Бейсраннер, которого пометили из- за того, что он не обращал внимания на то, что делали защитники, «застал врасплох». Часто это включает в себя игру с отбором мяча, в которой инфилдер подкрадывается к бегуну и выполняет бросок от питчера или, что реже, кетчера.

подвал [ править ]

Последнее место, конец турнирной таблицы. Команда, которая слишком много времени проводит на последнем месте, особенно на протяжении многих лет, имеет тенденцию приобретать нелестное звание обитателя подвала . СИНОНИМ: подвал .

бетономешалка [ править ]

Бейсбольный мяч, поданный с намерением вырваться из зоны удара, который не пробивается и в конечном итоге висит в зоне удара; непреднамеренно медленный фастбол с боковым вращением, напоминающий вращающийся цементный миксер с фиксированной осью, который не перемещается.

стул [ править ]

Конкретно в отношении тесто: место на скамейке, а не доезжать до базы или оставаться в боксе для теста. Например, «брось ему стул». Это выражение является поощрением кувшина нанести удар по бейцу, отправив его обратно в блиндаж, таким образом «бросив ему стул» - заставив его сесть.

бросить вызов нападающему [ править ]

Когда питчер агрессивен и наносит удары, возможно, его лучший фастбол, можно сказать, что он «бросает вызов нападающему». Сродни удару по зоне удара или атаке по зоне удара . «У Джареда выдающиеся качества», - сказала Ми. «Единственное, что я хотел бы, чтобы он делал, - это наносил больше ударов и бросал вызов нападающим. У него много способностей, и когда он идет впереди в счете, ему очень трудно отбивать». [55]

изменить уровень глаз [ править ]

Питчер «меняет уровень глаз» нападающего, бросая удары на разной высоте в зоне удара. Это сделано для того, чтобы нападающий не находился в равновесии или не чувствовал себя комфортно. «Изменение уровня глаз нападающего важно, потому что по мере продвижения вам будет все труднее заставить нападающего двигать ногами в боксе для отбивающего - даже при подаче внутрь - поэтому следующий вариант - переместить глаза нападающего ". [56]

изменение [ править ]

Смена или изменение - это подача, которая должна выглядеть как фастбол, но с меньшей скоростью - сокращение от изменения темпа . Разновидностью этого шага является изменение круга , когда круг формируется большим и указательным пальцами на последней трети шара. Это приводит к тому, что мяч разбивается внутрь и падает на правый отбивающий от правого питчера, что часто приводит к приземлению мяча. Кроме того, можно использовать прямую замену, которую прославил Педро Мартинес . Захват требует использования всех пальцев для удержания мяча, что приводит к большему трению и, таким образом, значительно замедляет мяч.

заряд [ править ]

  • Когда инфилдер бежит к наземному мячу, а не ждет, пока тот к нему прилетит.
  • Считается, что забеги «начисляются» питчеру, который изначально позволил забившему счету бегуну попасть на базу.

зарядка кургана [ править ]

Заряд насыпи означает, что отбивающий нападает на питчера после удара подачей или, в некоторых случаях, после того, как он едва избежал удара. Первый инцидент, когда профессионал зарядил насыпь, не был идентифицирован, но эта практика, безусловно, восходит к ранним дням игры. Нападение на насыпь часто является основной причиной драки на скамейке запасных и, скорее всего, приведет к катапультированию отбивающего .

погоня [ править ]

  • Преследовать (или преследовать) - значит качаться на поле далеко за пределами зоны удара .
  • Питчер, который удален из игры менеджером из-за того, что он отказался от слишком большого количества пробежек, считается «изгнанным из игры» или «изгнанным с холма» противоборствующими игроками. « Петтит был изгнан из игры в седьмом иннинге после сингла RBI Вилли Тавераса и тройного двойного RBI Казуо Мацуи ». [57]
  • Игрок или тренер, которого исключил из игры судья, могут быть названы преследуемыми. « Мартин был подброшен судьей Ли Вейером в четвертой игре Серии 1976 года , через семь лет после того, как Уивер преследовал Шаг Кроуфорд в четвертой игре в 1969 году». [58]

болтовня [ править ]

Устно бросить вызов или подразнить, чтобы отвлечь внимание оппонента. Болельщики и игроки одинаково участвуют в чате. «Heybattabattabatta» - это пример обычной бейсбольной болтовни.

Ущелье Чавеса [ править ]

Псевдоним для Dodger Stadium . Этот стадион был построен в конце 1950-х годов в бывшем жилом районе Чавес Рэвин.

дешевый пробег [ править ]

Бег, вызванный удачей или небольшим усилием со стороны атакующей команды. Заголовок: «Дешевый бег за лучами». Рассказ: « Карлу Кроуфорду повезло с этим ляпом; неплохая подача от Джейми Мойера ». [59]

проверить бегуна [ править ]

Когда питчер или инфилдер, выставляющий мяч, смотрит в направлении бегуна на базе и тем самым заставляет его не брать на себя такое преимущество, как в противном случае.

проверил качели [ править ]

Бэттер проверяет замах, останавливая его до того, как летучая мышь пересечет переднюю часть своей пластины. Если ему не удается остановить его вовремя, судья объявляет страйк, потому что он замахнулся на поле. Часто судье закрывается обзор качелей. Если судья называет поле мячом, защитник, например, кетчер или питчер, может попросить судью домашней площадки спросить другого судью, качнул ли отбивающий на поле. В таком случае судья домашней площадки всегда принимает решение другого судьи. «По сути, Тигры связывали Сокс в узлы на протяжении всей игры - иначе у них не было бы такого количества чековых ударов, как они сделали. Или столько ударов, которые они пытались продать судьям, как мячей». [60]

чеддер [ править ]

Смотрите сыр .

сыр [ править ]

Fastball , особенно тот , который трудно попасть. Фастбол в верхней части зоны удара также называется высоким сыром , а мяч в нижней части зоны может называться сыром на коленях. «Легкий сыр» относится к, казалось бы, легким движениям питчера, когда он бросает фастбол с очень высокой скоростью.

подбородочная музыка [ править ]

Высокий и плотный , и в поле означало стучать тесто обратно от пластины дома , чтобы избежать попадания на подбородке. Также известен как ответный шаг или целевая подача .

Китайский хоумран [ править ]

  • Старый термин для хоумрана, часто высокий мяч, который едва преодолевает забор в той части дальнего поля, которая ближе всего к тарелке. Он часто использовался в отношении таких ударов на стадионе « Поло Граундс» , бывшем доме « Нью-Йорк Джайентс» , где были заведомо короткие линии фола. Его использование уменьшилось после того, как тот стадион был снесен, и даже больше, поскольку он был воспринят как этнически оскорбительный. [61]
  • Второстепенное значение имеет смысл длинного летящего мяча, обычно летящего назад от своей тарелки. Такое использование, по-видимому, ограничивается играми с мячом в песочнице в Новой Англии , где оно могло развиться из предполагаемого "хоумрана Чейни", фола назад, совершенного игроком с таким именем, который в конечном итоге выиграл игру для команды, которая нанесла удар, когда мяч, последний доступный, не может быть найден. Затем судья постановил, что другая команда не предоставила достаточное количество мячей, и таким образом проиграла игру. [61]

тупица [ править ]

Ляп ; умирающих перепелов ; вымогатель .

вертолет [ править ]

Чоппер - это мяч с битой, который сразу же ударяет по затвердевшей области грязи прямо перед домом, заставляя его отскочить высоко в приусадебный участок. Бэттеры, которые умеют быстро бегать, могут превратить такие чопперы в базовые хиты. Также мяч, на который нанесен удар, который отскакивает несколько раз, прежде чем его выставит полевой игрок или достигнет дальнего поля. Бывший телеведущий Braves Скип Кэрей часто причудливо вызывал вышибал на третью базу, когда Атланта защищалась как «вертолет для Чиппера» в связи с давним игроком с третьей базы Braves Чиппером Джонсом .

задыхаться [ править ]

Джои Вотто давится битой во время игры 2015 года
Тесто «дроссели вверх», перемещая руки вверх от конца ручки от летучей мыши , чтобы дать ему больше контроля над его битой. Это снижает мощность и увеличивает контроль. Перед выездом в серии наград хит с Bloop одного в World Series 2001 , Луис Гонсалес задохнулся на летучую мышь. [ необходима цитата ] Таким образом, он прошел, и не " задохнулся " в сцеплении.

Чак [ править ]

Бросать. Питчера иногда называют бросающим мячом или тем, кто действительно может отбросить мяч. В Сан-Франциско фанатов иногда называют взрывозащищенными батареями , имея в виду несколько инцидентов, когда многие фанаты бросали батареи на поле. Эти инциденты относятся, по крайней мере, к началу августа в Сан-Франциско, хотя был, по крайней мере, один более ранний инцидент с участием фанатов Филлис. [62]

круг [ редактировать ]

На палубе круг , официально известный как в поле следующего бьющего .

цирковой улов [ править ]

Выдающийся улов, обычно когда полевой игрок должен встать с ног или сделать искривление, напоминая при этом циркового акробата.

чистый удар [ править ]

Когда отбивающий бьет мячом по приусадебному участку, не касаясь его полевым игроком, можно сказать, что он получил «чистый удар». Точно так же, если отбивающий попадает мячом над головой аутфилдера, он может получить «чистый удар». « Трис действительно любила наносить удары и всегда испытывала острые ощущения, когда получала« чистый »удар, пролетавший над головой аутфилдера». [63]

чистый иннинг [ править ]

Когда команда делает подачу и играет в защите без умственных или физических ошибок или позволяя другой команде легко забивать или продвигать бегунов. «Я хочу видеть чистые возможности», - сказал Купер . «Это время, когда мы должны их увидеть - четкие, чистые подачи. Тем не менее, мы поражаем парней, [которые] пытаются бунтовать, шагающих парней на четырех площадках  ... Это не молодые ребята, которые делают такие вещи. Это смешно. Меня не волнует, кто это. Этого не должно происходить. Мы должны это очистить. Я хотел бы рано или поздно увидеть несколько чистых подач. Мы должны нанести первый удар, второй удар, сделайте несколько шагов. Мы повсюду. Мы даже не приблизились к зоне удара ". [64]

нападающий на уборку [ править ]

Четвертый бьющий в составе, обычно пауэр-нападающий . Стратегия состоит в том, чтобы собрать несколько бегунов на базу, чтобы нападающий по уборке отвез домой . Теоретически, если бы первые три игрока, отбивающего игру, загрузили базы , нападающий № 4 в идеале «очистил» базы с помощью большого шлема .

очистить базы [ править ]

Говорят, что отбивающий, который гонит домой всех бегунов на базе, не забив себе очков, «очищает базы». «Тройка Дикито по зачистке базы привела в бешенство сторонников Соколин». [65]

подниматься по лестнице [ править ]

  • Тактика, при которой питчер выполняет серию ударов за пределы зоны удара , каждая из которых выше предыдущей, в попытке заставить отбивающего качнуться на поле « на глазах ».
  • Когда полевой игрок совершает необычно высокий прыжок, чтобы поймать верхнюю линию , как если бы он поднялся по невидимой лестнице, чтобы поймать

клиника [ править ]

Доминирующее выступление одного человека или команды. «Дэвид Прайс действительно устроил там клинику, поразив ее стороной».

ближе [ править ]

Кувшин рельеф , который последовательно используется для «закрытия» или закончить игру, получить окончательные выходы. Доводчики часто являются одними из самых мощных питчеров , а иногда даже самые неустойчивые. В качестве альтернативы они могут специализироваться на поле, в которое трудно попасть, например на сплиттер или разрезанный фастбол .

закрыть книгу [ редактировать ]

Можно «закрыть книгу» на кувшине, которого заменили, когда его статистика по игре станет окончательной. Если запасной питчер вступает в игру с одним или несколькими унаследованными бегунами , и эти бегуны в конечном итоге набирают очки, они все равно влияют на статистику питчера, который позволил им на базе (например, среднее заработанное количество забегов ). После того, как все бегуны набрали определенное количество очков кувшина или выбиты из игры, или третий аут сделан в иннинге, его статистика больше не может изменяться (за исключением его статуса рекордного питчера ), и его «книга» закрывается.

веревка для белья [ править ]

См. « Бросить бельевую веревку ».

клуб [ править ]

А команды раздевалка , которая также может включать в себя пищу, развлечения и тренировки объектов, особенно на самом высоком профессиональном уровне. Термин «клуб» также часто используется в таких видах спорта, как гольф и чистокровные скачки.

сцепление [ править ]

Хорошая производительность под давлением, когда действительно важна хорошая производительность. Может относиться к такой ситуации (нахождение в сцеплении ) или к игроку (хороший подающий сцепление , или тот, кто «может попасть в сцепление»); или конкретным попаданиям («это был удар сцепления»). Большинство поклонников бейсбола считают, что удары клатчем существуют, но среди руководителей существуют значительные разногласия относительно того, является ли попадание клатчем особым навыком или просто чем-то, чем обычно пользуются хорошие нападающие. Старый синоним сцепления - щипок , как в книге Кристи Мэтьюсон « Подача в щепотку» .

петушиный выстрел [ править ]

Фастбол высотой до пояса, очень удачный, обычно в середине тарелки. Как сказал Боб МакКлюр, бывший тренер по питчингу Red Sox: «Когда вы бросаете фастбол с петушиным выстрелом чуть выше пояса, прямо по центру, вы надеетесь, что он не замахивается. Часто это оказывается неудачным. стадиона ". [66]

воротник [ править ]

Символ безнадежности в игре, предполагаемый его сходством с нулем, а также подразумевается "удушье"; носить воротник : «Если Райт не получить удар здесь, он будет носить в 0  на  5 воротник на день.» Также, чтобы взять ошейник : « Кэмерон Мэйбин взял ошейник в своем дебюте в высшей лиге, дважды нанеся удар». [67]

возвращающийся [ править ]

Линейный мяч или наземный мяч отбили прямо к питчеру .

команда [ редактировать ]

Продвинутое умение питчера бросить подачу туда, куда он намеревается. Противопоставьте контролю, который представляет собой просто способность наносить удары; Командование - это способность поражать определенные точки в зоне удара или за ее пределами . Также см. Расположение .

завершить игру [ править ]

Полная игра (обозначается CG) - это действие питчера, подающего всю игру самостоятельно, без использования вспомогательного питчера. Полная игра может быть как выигрышной, так и проигрышной. Питчеру может быть присуждена полная игра, даже если он подает меньше (или больше) девяти иннингов, при условии, что он подает всю игру.

завершить игру, закрыть [ править ]

Полное закрытие игры (CGSO) происходит, когда питчер завершает игру и не позволяет другой команде забить.

нападающий [ править ]

Нападающий, который не часто наносит удары . Таким образом, он обычно может войти в контакт с мячом и ввести его в игру . Это не значит, что он обязательно нападает на жалкие пощечины . Он может бить для мощи, но обычно с большим количеством удвоений / троек вместо хоумранов. Пит Роуз , Тони Гвинн и Уэйд Боггс - прекрасные примеры контактных нападающих.

контактный питчер [ править ]

См. Шаг к контакту .

контактная игра [ редактировать ]

Когда бегун на третьей базе получает указание от тренера попытаться забить, как только он слышит, как бита касается поля, не дожидаясь, чтобы узнать, какой был контакт (фэйр-мяч или фол-мяч, флай-мяч или земля) мяч). В таком случае бегуну говорят «бежать при контакте». Этот розыгрыш обычно происходит, когда игра близка или базы загружены. В более общем смысле, «Baserunners« бегут при контакте », когда есть два аута, так как нечего терять, если мяч пойман или отбивающий выброшен». [68]

управлять исполнителем [ править ]

Питчер, который отказывается от очень небольшого количества баз на мячах или отлично владеет своей подачей. Также известен как контрольный питчер .

cookie [ править ]

Поле, в которое легко попасть. И наоборот, в случае, когда первая подача является ударом, а вторая подача - мячом, вторая может быть результатом того, что питчер пропустил свою точку; питчер в ответ бросает печенье, чтобы восстановить контроль. [69]

Куперстаун [ править ]

Метоним Зала славы , расположенного в Куперстауне, Нью-Йорк. Игрок или менеджер «на пути в Куперстаун» - это одна мысль, предназначенная для включения в Зал славы.

закупоренная летучая мышь [ править ]

Летучая мышь , в котором пробка (или , возможно , каучук или какой -либо другой эластичный материал) была вставлена в сердцевину деревянного ствола. Хотя подобная модификация летучей мыши может помочь увеличить скорость или управляемость летучей мыши, сделав ее легче, вопреки распространенному мнению, она не передает больше энергии мячу, в который бита бита. [70] Тесто может добиться аналогичного эффекта, подавившись битой или используя более короткую биту. Игрок, уличенный в незаконном изменении своей биты, подлежит отстранению от игры или другим штрафам. Последний такой случай в Высшей лиге бейсбола касался отбивающего Сэмми Соса . [71]

углы [ править ]

  • Когда бегуны находятся «по углам», они находятся на первой базе и третьей базе на бейсбольном ромбе, без бегуна на второй базе.
  • «Углы тарелки» - это внутренние и внешние края домашней тарелки. Некоторые кувшины живут на углах или просто клюют на них. Другие умеют « красить углы ».

угловой аутфилдер [ править ]

Левые крайняя и правые крайние являются угловым Outfielders.

секундант [ править ]

Угол инфилдер , или инфилдер который играет третью или первую базу.

считать [ редактировать ]

Количество шаров и ударов, которое игрок с битой имеет в своем текущем бите. Обычно объявляется парой цифр, например «3–0» (произносится «три и о»), причем первое число - это количество шаров, а второе - количество ударов. Счет 3–2 - один с максимальным количеством шаров и ударов в данной бите - называется полным счетом . Счет 1–1 или 2–2 считается четным , хотя считается, что питчер имеет преимущество на поле 2–2, потому что он все еще может бросить другой мяч без последствий, тогда как другой удар означает, что отбивающий выбыл. Бэттер считается впереди в счете (а питчер позади в счете), если счет составляет 1–0, 2–0, 2–1, 3–0 или 3–1. Говорят, что тесто отстает в счете (и питчер впереди в счете), если счет 0–1, 0–2 или 1–2.

двоюродный брат [ править ]

Питчер, в которого легко попасть определенному бэттеру. [ необходима цитата ]

покрытие базы [ править ]

  • Часть работы инфилдеров - прикрывать базы. То есть встаньте рядом с базой в ожидании получения мяча от другого полевого игрока, затем сыграйте против бейсраннера, который приближается к этой базе. В форсированной игре или апелляционной игре полевой игрок, прикрывающий базу, стоит одной ногой на этой базе, когда ловит мяч.
  • Когда полевой игрок идет, чтобы сыграть на базе, которая не является его позицией (обычно потому, что полевой игрок на этой базе недоступен, чтобы поймать мяч на этой базе, потому что он занят выставлением мяча с битым мячом ). Типичным примером является , когда первый человек с низов поля на отбитый землю мяч , но слишком далеко от основания , чтобы поставить бегун из . Кувшин бежит к «крышка» первой базы принять бросок из первой базы (игра будет забито как «3-1», то есть первый человек с низов к кувшин).

трещина летучей мыши [ править ]

  • Звук удара битой по мячу. Этот термин используется в бейсболе для обозначения «немедленно, без колебаний». Например, бейсраннер может начать бегать «на лету», а не ждать, чтобы увидеть, куда летит мяч.
  • Аутфилдеры часто используют звук столкновения с мячом летучей мыши как ключ к пониманию того, как далеко был нанесен удар по мячу. Как писал физик Роберт Адэр : «Когда бейсбольный мяч попадает прямо в аутфилдера, он не может быстро определить угол подъема и расстояние, которое пройдет мяч. Если он ждет, пока траектория не будет четко определена, он ждал слишком долго и будет не сможет дотянуться до мячей, которые иначе могли бы поймать.Если он начинает быстро, но неправильно оценивает мяч так, что его первый шаг оказывается неверным (в случае длительного полета или назад для короткого полета), время поворота резко сокращает его дальность действия, и он снова будет пропускать улавливаемые мячи. Чтобы помочь своему суждению, опытный аутфилдер прислушивается к звуку ударов деревянной битой по мячу. Если он слышит «треск», он выбегает, если он слышит «лязг», он вбегает ». [72]
  • Точно так же и с металлическими летучими мышами аутфилдеры должны научиться отличать «звук» от «удара».

взломщик [ править ]

Небольшое бейсбольное поле считается удобным для сильных нападающих и недружелюбным для питчеров. Картонка . (см .: Бейкер Боул )

взломщик [ править ]

Игрок или команда с мощью и исключительным мастерством.

хитрый [ править ]

Еще один термин для контрольного кувшина . Грег Мэддакс был искусным питчером.

заводить [ править ]

Удар по мячу за дополнительные базы, обычно хоумран. « Джетер повернул хомер влево, чтобы сделать его 6–5». [73] Кроме того, эвфемизм рубежа веков (19 век) для зрителей бейсбола, относящийся к запуску турникетов, когда они проходят на стадион.

сбой [ править ]

Метод защиты от бунта, при котором первый и третий игроки с низов атакуют бьющего, чтобы выставить мяч, второй игрок с низов покрывает первую базу, а шорт-стоп покрывает вторую или третью, в зависимости от того, куда идет ведущий бегун. Также может относиться в более общем плане к действию любого инфилдера, атакующего бэттера на головке.

кривое число [ править ]

Число, отличное от нуля или единицы, относящееся к внешнему виду фактического числа. Команда, которая может забить два или более рана за иннинг , называется «повесила кривую цифру» на табло или на питчере .

существо [ править ]

Хоум-ран, который явно выходит, как только он попадает. Об этом говорят так, потому что он беспокоит питчера, как какое-то существо.

перечеркнутый [ править ]

  • Когда кетчер требует, чтобы питчер бросил один тип подачи (например, фастбол), а питчер бросает другой (например, крученый мяч), кетчер перекрещивается. Это может привести к передаче мяча , позволяя бегуну на базе продвигаться вперед. « Переданный мяч Барретта позволил последнему из трех забегов забить в пятом, так как« красные » увеличили свой отрыв до 7–2. Уильямс перебил его на поле.« Я искал грузило, и оно ускользнуло от меня », - сказал Барретт. «Я играл с пластиной, но мой щиток застрял в траве. Это был удручающий день». [74]
  • Когда отбивающий настроен ожидать подачи определенного типа, но вместо этого получает другой, он может быть перекрещен, что может привести к слабому удару мяча или замаху и промаху.

толпа нападающего [ править ]

Когда питчер бросает мяч во внутреннюю часть тарелки, он может пытаться «теснить нападающего», затрудняя ему вытягивание рук и полный размах на поле.

толпиться на тарелку [ править ]

Когда тесто устанавливает свою позицию очень близко к пластине , иногда покрывая часть зоны удара . Это разозлит питчеров и, если делать это неоднократно, может привести к отбрасыванию мяча или даже к броску , брошенному в тесто, чтобы очистить тарелку. «Я полностью осознаю, что когда вы толкаете тарелку, вы получите сильный нагрев». [75]

раздавить мяч [ править ]

  • Можно сказать, что отбивающий, который бьет по мячу очень сильно и далеко, раздавливает мяч, как если бы он разрушил бейсбольный мяч или, по крайней мере, изменил его форму. Связанные выражения - хруст мяч или раздавить мяч . Действительно, отбивающего иногда называют машером . Иллюстрация: «Хотя 25-летний футболист произвел впечатление двумя хомерами в пяти играх, он больше похож на нападающего, чем на матроса».
  • Другие типы разрушения бейсбольного мяча включают выбивание начинки мяча и сбивание конской шкуры [покрытия] с мяча .

бить мяч [ править ]

Когда мяч отбивается концом биты, можно сказать, что отбивающий «подал сигнал мячу» (как если бы он ударил его бильярдным кием ). « Кендрик занял третье место после выхода из строя битой битой и забил на первой базе Райана Шили  ...» [76]

чашка кофе [ править ]

Короткое время, проведенное игроком низшей лиги на уровне высшей лиги . Идея состоит в том, что игрок был там достаточно долго, чтобы выпить чашку кофе. Его также можно использовать для описания очень короткого пребывания (меньше сезона) в клубе высшей лиги.

Curveball [ править ]

Шаг , что кривые или разрывы от прямой или ожидаемой траектории полета к домашней плите . Также называется просто «кривой».

вырезать [ редактировать ]

  • Размах летучей мыши.
  • На удаление из состава или из команды.

вырезать фастбол [ править ]

Разрезанный фастбол или каттер - это фастбол с боковым перемещением . « Разрезанный фастбол » похож на ползунок, который более известен своей скоростью, чем его боковым движением.

сократить его качели [ править ]

Когда отбивающий уменьшает амплитуду своего взмаха, либо давясь битой, либо просто начиная свой взмах менее далеко за головой, он «сокращает свой взмах», тем самым помогая ему быстрее передвигать битой. Также «укоротите его замах». « Герреро так сильно раскачивался во вторник вечером 0/5, что выглядел так, как будто он может выскочить прямо из своих шипов. Итак, Хэтчер предложил в среду, чтобы Герреро немного расширил свою стойку, что заставляет нападающих сократить свои удары. немного." [77]

отрезать мяч [ править ]

Когда мяч попадает в промежуток между аутфилдерами, полевой игрок часто должен сделать выбор, бежать ли к забору, чтобы поймать или подобрать мяч, или бежать к мячу и попытаться выставить его на поле, прежде чем он пройдет мимо него и достигнет ворот. изгородь. В последнем случае он сказал «отрезать мяч», потому что он пытается сократить путь мяча. «Когда Грандерсон сместился к левому центру поля на пятом иннинге линии Карлоса Пенья , он не двигался в том направлении, чтобы поймать мяч. Он готовился выставить его на отскок.« Я фактически занимал позицию, чтобы сделать ловушку. вырезать мяч от «Грандерсон сказал после Тигры » 11-7 потери в лучиВ понедельник после обеда. «Я не думал, что у меня будет шанс поймать его». " [78]

отключение [ править ]

Оборонительная тактика , где а Филдер перемещается в положение между аутфилдерами , который выставил на отбитый мяч и базой , где игра может быть сделана. Говорят, что этот полевой игрок «отсекает» бросок или является « отрезанным игроком ». Эта тактика увеличивает точность на больших расстояниях и сокращает время, необходимое для доставки мяча в определенное место. Это также дает отрезанному игроку выбор: выставить отставшего бегуна, пытающегося продвинуться при броске, если он считает невозможным сыграть дома. Отсутствие обрезки (человека) считается ошибкой. аутфилдером (хотя и не засчитывается как ошибка), потому что это может позволить бегуну продвинуться вперед или набрать очки.

отрезанный человек [ править ]

Филдер , который « срежет » длинный бросок к важной цели. Часто шорт-стоп , второй игрок с низов или игрок с первой базы будет «отрезанным» игроком на дальнем броске с дальнего поля на третью базу или домашнюю тарелку . «Попади в отсечку» - частый призыв тренера .

цикл [ править ]

См. Хит для цикла .



D [ править ]

резак для ромашек [ править ]

Старомодный термин для сильно ударяемого по земле мяча, достаточно близко к траве, чтобы теоретически срезать верхушки с любых ромашек, которые могут расти на поле.

танец [ править ]

Неустойчивое движение правильно брошенного шарнирного мяча . «Надеюсь, его кулак не танцует и немного висит , иначе у нас проблемы».

темный [ править ]

Поле, которое трудно увидеть, не говоря уже о попадании. «Брось ему темного» - это поощрение кувшина, которое обычно дается двумя ударами, чтобы нанести удар мимо отбивающего.

мертвая рука [ править ]

Когда обычно эффективный или доминирующий подающий кажется неспособным бросить так сильно, как обычно, о нем можно сказать, что у него «мертвая рука». «Если вы наблюдали за радаром, когда Карлос Самбрано выступал в этом месяце, вы знаете, что что-то не так. Проблема, - сказал в субботу правша« Кабс », в том, что он проходит фазу« мертвой руки »». [79]

мертвый мяч [ править ]

Мяч становится «мертвым» (т. Е. Игра останавливается) после фола, а также в случаях вмешательства болельщика или игрока, вмешательства судьи в ловушку и некоторых других особых ситуаций . Когда мяч мертвый, ни один из бегунов не может продвигаться дальше баз, на которые они имеют право, и ни один из бегунов не может быть выведен из игры. Мяч снова становится «живым», когда судья подает сигнал о возобновлении игры.

эра мертвого мяча [ править ]

Период между 1903 и 1918 годами, незадолго до эры живого мяча , когда состав бейсбола вместе с другими правилами имел тенденцию ограничивать нападение, а основной стратегией отбивания ударов была внутренняя игра . Попадание домой через забор было заметным достижением.

мертвый нападающий [ править ]

Тянуть горькое это жидкое тесто , который обычно попадает мяч в ту же сторону , как летучие мыши , которые он. То есть, если отбивающий правша бьет с левой стороны пластины, мяч попадет в левое поле. Нападающих часто называют мертвой тягой, если они редко делают что-либо, кроме как тянуть мяч. Современный пример мертвого нападающего - Джейсон Джамби .

мертвый красный [ править ]

Если отбивающий "сидит / выглядит мертвенно красным" на поле, это означает, что он искал поле (обычно фастбол) и получил его, обычно выполняя хоумран или базовый удар.

сделка [ править ]

  • Подача подачи , обычно используемая дикторами игры, когда питчер отпускает мяч, например: «Смит делает дело Джонсу».
  • Эффективная подача, например, «Смит сегодня действительно имеет дело».

решено в последний раз в летучей мыши [ править ]

Игры команды, «решенные последним на летучей мыши», - это игры, в которых победившая команда забивает отмашку или выигрышную серию в своем последнем наступательном иннинге. В этом случае «летучая мышь» - это время команды на пластине, составляющее три аута (не путать с отдельным игроком на летучей мыши).

глубоко в счет [ править ]

Каждый раз, когда был объявлен третий мяч ( счет 3-0, 3-1 или 3-2 ), ситуация благоприятствует бьющему. «В своем четвертом старте после пропуска двух месяцев после операции на локтевом суставе Робертсон (2-2) вошел глубоко в счет против многих нападающих, но допустил всего пять попаданий и два заработанных рана за пять подач». [80]

рейтинг эффективности защиты [ править ]

Sabermetric концепция: скорость , с которой шарики положить в игру преобразуются в выходы на Защиту команды. [81] Аналогичная концепция используется при анализе других командных видов спорта, включая баскетбол и футбол. В бейсболе это вычисляется следующим образом: 1 - (((H + ROE) -HR) / (PA- (SO + HBP + HR))), где H = количество ударов разрешено, ROE = достигнутая команда соперника по ошибке, HR = Хоум-раны разрешены, PA = количество выходов на тарелку противоположной команды, SO = аутинговые игры команды и HBP = попадания питчера.

защитное безразличие [ править ]

Когда защита позволяет бейсраннеру продвигаться на одну или несколько баз. Тогда бегун не получает кредит за украденную базу, потому что база была «дана», а не «украдена». Защита может допустить это в девятом иннинге с большим отрывом, где основное внимание уделяется тому, чтобы побудить последних отбивающих сыграть аут .

доставить [ редактировать ]

  • Доставить - значит подать . Диктор: "Куфакс доставляет  ... Третий удар !!! "
  • Подача - это основные углы руки кувшина , например, выдача сверху, выдача оружия. Это контрастирует с крикетом, в котором термин « доставка » сродни типу поля в бейсболе.

предназначено для переуступки [ править ]

Процесс, позволяющий исключить игрока из списка из 40 человек его команды.

назначенный нападающий [ править ]

В Американской лиге назначенный нападающий (DH) - это игрок, который постоянно наносит удар вместо защищающегося игрока (обычно подающего) и чья единственная роль в игре - наносить удары. Национальная лига обычно не использовать назначенные нападающий. Однако в межлиговой игре , когда команды Американской лиги и Национальной лиги противостоят друг другу, правило DH используется обеими командами, когда игра проводится на стадионе Американской лиги, и ни одной из команд, когда игра проводится в национальной лиге. Футбольный стадион лиги.

двойка [ править ]

  • Curveball , потому что знак зрелище , как правило, за счет расширения первые два пальца.
  • Двойная игра .
Из игральных карт , где карту «2» условно называют « двойкой ».

дикие двойки [ править ]

Когда на табло одновременно появляется большое количество цифры «2»: 2 бейсраннера , 2 аута , 2 мяча и 2 удара по бэттеру . Произведено от покерной фразы « двойки дикие ». Часто используется телеведущим Зала славы Вин Скалли .    

DFA [ править ]

Аббревиатура от предназначенного для присвоения .

DH [ править ]

Назначенный нападающий

набирать междугородний [ править ]

Чтобы ударить хоумран . Заголовок: «Слаггеры Сокс набирают дальнюю дистанцию ​​- Рамирес , Ортис. Каждый проворачивает двухпозиционный Гомер». [82] Фраза иногда обозначается как «Набери  9 для междугороднего».

набран [ править ]

Имеется в виду фастбол. «Он набрал эту высоту».

алмаз [ править ]

Планировка четырех баз в приусадебном участке . На самом деле это квадрат 90 футов (27 м) с каждой стороны, но с трибун он напоминает параллелограмм или «ромб».

умереть [ править ]

Говорят, что летающий мяч умирает, если он проходит более короткое расстояние от домашней пластины, чем первоначально ожидалось, из-за ветра или других аэродинамических факторов. Не путать с мертвым мячом .

выкопай [ править ]

  • Для того, чтобы поле с мячом на земле или вблизи земли. Обычно первый игрок с низов получает низкий бросок от другого полевого игрока . Чтобы «выкопать из грязи».
  • Быстро пробежать через первую базу на близком расстоянии, игра с мячом в попытке отбить бросок.

dinged (вверх) [ править ]

Пострадавший; часто используется в отношении стойких легких травм.

dinger [ править ]

Домой бежать .

дон [ править ]

Домой бежать .

дремота [ править ]

Споткнуться или упасть в дальнем поле или на базовых тропах. Проваленное спасение также можно назвать дремотой.

отключенный список [ править ]

Средство, с помощью которого команды Высшей лиги могут временно удалять травмированных игроков из своего активного состава . В это время может быть вызван другой игрок в качестве замены. Термин «список инвалидов» был заменен на «список травмированных» до сезона MLB 2019 года.

блюдо [ править ]

  • Нападающий (Тесто) стоит на тарелке [Домашняя тарелка].
  • Домашняя тарелка . « Ловец устраивается за тарелкой».
  • Основной тон , особенно хороший. «Вот блюдо (подача)» или «Он действительно подает (хорошо подает) сегодня вечером».

нырять над пластиной [ править ]

Когда отбивающий имеет тенденцию наклоняться к пластине, чтобы ему было легче ударить по мячу, находящемуся за пределами зоны удара, говорят, что он «прыгает через пластину» или «ныряет на площадку». Чтобы защитить зону удара, питчер может отреагировать на это, бросив мяч внутрь, возможно, с « целевой подачей ». «Теперь у Главина есть уравнитель со своим резаком. Он может передать его в руки правшей, чтобы они не прыгнули через пластину безнаказанно на его грузило и замену». [83]

DL [ править ]

Список инвалидов . Иногда используется как глагол, например, «Вуд был DL'ed вчера».

лечить мяч [ править ]

Прикладывать к мячу постороннее вещество или иным образом изменять его, чтобы вызвать неестественное вращение поля. Примеры: нанесите вазелин или слюну ( шарик ), потрите наждачной бумагой, наждачной доской ( наждачный шарик ) или энергично потрите, чтобы создать блестящую область шарика ( блестящий шарик ). Все это стало незаконным с сезона 1920 года, что помогло положить конец эпохе мертвого мяча . ( Официальные правила бейсбола, Правило 8.02 (a) .) На практике есть неясности относительно того, какие действия питчер может делать на законных основаниях. [84]
Ряд известных случаев лечения летучей мыши также произошел в высшей лиге. Смотрите закупоренную летучую мышь .

точка [ править ]

Сленговый термин для кувшина, который намеренно или случайно ударяет по бьющему поданным мячом (нокдаун-подача). Если игрок «показывает» питчера (занимает много времени, чтобы кружить вокруг баз или устраивает чрезмерное празднование после хоумрана), если важный игрок команды попадает в поле или игрок нарушает один из бейсбольных мячей неписаные правила, нарушивший игрок может рассчитывать на то, что в следующий раз, когда он будет бить битой, он получит «точку» в качестве формы запугивания или исправления предполагаемого нарушения. Еще одно из «неписаных правил» - это то, что подающий должен ставить точки на бьющем ниже уровня груди, чтобы минимизировать риск травмы, поскольку более высокий шаг может привести к травмам рук или даже головы. Подъем выше известен как «охота за головой» или «жужжание башни» и подвергает питчера риску фактического насилия со стороны другой команды.

двойной [ править ]

Ударил , где тесто делает его благополучно на вторую базу , прежде чем мяч может быть возвращен к приусадебному участку. Тоже двухбазовый хит .

двойное сцепление [ править ]

Когда полевой игрок - обычно полузащитник или кэтчер - дважды отводит руку назад перед броском, он говорит «двойное сцепление». Эта нерешительность часто приводит к отложенному или позднему броску, позволяя бегунам продвинуться вперед. Этот термин заимствован из метода переключения передач на автомобильном транспортном средстве.

двойная парковка [ править ]

Питчер, у которого много быстрых аутов. Подразумевается, что он незаконно припарковал свою машину и пытается вернуться к ней и избежать штрафов, и поэтому он очень хочет быстро выйти.

двойная игра [ править ]

  • Игра защиты, при которой два атакующих игрока выбиты из строя в результате непрерывных действий, что приводит к двум аутам. Типичный пример - двойная игра 6-4-3.
  • Сочетание двойной игры (или DP комбо) в команде состоит из шорт и второй человек с низов, потому что эти игроки являются ключевыми игроками в 6-4-3 или 4-6-3 двойную игру. Их также иногда называют товарищами по мешку, потому что они играют по обе стороны от второй базы (также известной как второй мешок).

«Roll a bump» - это разговорный сленг восточного побережья, обозначающий двойную игру 1-6-3 или двойную игру 1-4-3.

двойная глубина воспроизведения [ править ]

Оборонительная тактика, которая позиционирует центральных полевых игроков так, чтобы они были лучше подготовлены к двойной игре за счет позиционирования для удара по стороне третьей базы .

двойная кража [ править ]

Два бегуна одновременно пытаются украсть базу. Обычно это наблюдается, когда бегуны, находящиеся на первом и втором месте, пытаются украсть второе и третье. Другой распространенный пример - когда бегун, идущий первым, крадет второго, соблазняя ловца бросить второму, чтобы бегун, идущий третьим, мог затем украсть дом.

двойной переключатель [ править ]

Двойной переключатель - это тип замены игрока, который позволяет тренеру производить замену подачи и замену в защите (поле боя), одновременно улучшая состав команды в атаке (бейтинге). Это наиболее эффективно используется, когда необходимо заменить питчера, когда его команда находится в обороне, и его очередь бить битой приближается в следующей атакующей попытке его команды. Вместо замены питчера другим питчером позиционный игрок (тот, кто недавно отбивал последнюю атакующую попытку своей команды) заменяется новым питчером, а уходящий питчер заменяется игроком, способным играть позицию уходящего позиционного игрока. . Затем эти два запасных меняются на свои естественные защитные роли, но сохраняют позиции в порядке отбивания тех, кого они заменили, чтобы, когда команда в следующий раз подошла к биту, именно игрок, занимающий новую позицию на замене, наносит удар во время хода освободившегося питчера, и новый питчер не должен наносить удары до тех пор, пока не наступит очередь игрока исходящей позиции. Двойной переключатель в основном используетсяНациональная лига и Центральная лига Японии , которые не используют назначенных нападающих .

удвоить [ править ]

  • Когда бегун становится вторым игроком в двойной игре , можно сказать, что он удвоился (или удвоился). Это может быть отбивающий, который попал в двойную игру, или бегун, который попадает в ловушку базы, когда полевой игрок ловит мяч и бросает позади бегуна полевому игроку, который касается базы, чтобы завершить двойную игру (отсюда «удвоение» бегун).
  • Команда , которая выигрывает Даблхедер может быть описан как удвоился своего противника: « Royals удвоиться Блю Джейс ». [85]

двойной заголовок [ править ]

Когда две игры играют одни и те же две команды в один и тот же день. Когда в игры играют в конце дня, их называют даблхедером «сумерки-ночь» или «твинлайт». Когда одна игра проводится днем, а другая - вечером (обычно с отдельными входными билетами), это называется даблхедером «день-ночь». Даблхедер также может называться Twinbill. В бейсболе низшей лиги и колледжа игры с двойным заголовком часто назначаются на семь иннингов, а не на стандартные девять для обычной игры .
Согласно словарю Диксона, этот термин произошел от железнодорожного термина, обозначающего использование двух соединенных локомотивов («двойной заголовок») для буксировки исключительно длинного поезда.

парный нападающий [ править ]

Нападающий разрыв .

"вниз" [ править ]

Выводить из себя. «Один аут» означает, что один аут был сделан в иннинге (еще два оставлены в тайме). «Один вверх (и) один проиграл» означает, что выбыл первый отбивающий в иннинге. «Два дауна» означает, что в иннинге было сделано два аута (осталось еще один). «Два вверх (и) два вниз»: первые два игрока, отбивающего подачу, были сняты (разыграны). «Три вверх, три вниз»: сторона удалилась по порядку.

вниз по строке [ править ]

На поле рядом с линиями фола часто подразумевается расположение забитых мячей .

посередине [ править ]

За средней частью домашней пластины часто подразумевается расположение смол. Также называется вниз по трубе , вниз по пике , вниз по главной улице , вниз по Бродвею и, в Атланте , вниз по Пичтри . Очень отличается от середины .

вниз по течению [ править ]

Когда команда приближается к концу сезона в погоне за вымпелом или чемпионством, она движется вниз по отрезку. Возможно, это связано с скачками или автомобильными гонками, в которых участники выходят из последнего поворота трассы и направляются по финишной прямой к финишу. « Детройт предоставил более чем достаточно преступления для Fister , который был потрясающим вниз на участке после того, как тигры приобрел его в торговле с Сиэтле незадолго до 31 июля срок.» [86]

Комбо DP [ править ]

Сленговый термин для комбинации шорт-стопа и второго игрока с низов, как основных исполнителей двойных игр . Их также иногда называют товарищами по увольнению . Вообще говоря, только лучшие наборы средних инфилдеров называются комбинациями DP.

перетащить бунт [ править ]

Головни , в котором левша нападающий ложится головня в недоступном для кувшина и к правой стороне приусадебного участка, в надежде , что он будет благополучно добраться до первой базы. Часто такая головня имеет элемент неожиданности, позволяющий использовать в своих интересах скорость отбивающего и тот факт, что первый игрок с низов и второй игрок с низов отыгрывают свои позиции. Бэттер может даже сделать шаг к первой базе, когда он бьет по мячу, тем самым, кажется, тащит мяч за собой, когда он бежит к первой базе.

рисовать [ редактировать ]

Иногда говорят, что отбивающий, которого называют мячом, «нарисовал мяч» или «нарисовал шаг». "После короткой паузы, чтобы ввести в игру специально отмеченные бейсбольные мячи , Бондс вытащил первый и второй мяч - с улюлюканьем обрушился на Ванден Херк - перед тем, как был объявлен первый удар. Затем фастбол со скоростью 96 миль в час пропал - скорость оценивалась в 420 футов. " [87]

нарисовано в [ править ]

  • Когда крайние поля играют ближе к приусадебному участку, чтобы предотвратить попадание мячей между ними и полевыми игроками, говорят, что они «втянуты». Обычно это происходит, когда игра близка в последнем иннинге и с менее чем двумя аутами, и защитная команда хочет предотвратить попадание в основу атаки, которая могла бы принести выигрышную серию (при этом допуская, что длинный полетный мяч может забить бегать, даже если мяч пойман в дальней части поля).
  • Приусадебный участок также может быть втянут, если есть бегун на третьей базе с менее чем двумя аутами, так что инфилдеры могут выставить наземный мяч и попытаться выбросить бегуна на тарелку.
  • Единственный инфилдер, обычно третий игрок с низов или первый игрок с низов, также может играть "в", когда ожидается, что отбивающий может попытаться принести в жертву головню .

дриблер [ править ]

Плохо пораженный грунт, который набирает небольшое расстояние и состоит из нескольких прыжков; иногда используется как синоним слова « таппер» [88]

пробурено [ править ]

Удар смолой , шлепнул .

диск [ править ]

  • A line drive (имя существительное).
  • Ударить по строчке (глагол). « Маглио перевел мяч в центр».
  • Чтобы делать хиты, которые производят ИКР . « Техада отвез его домой со второй секунды». « Рамирес приехал втроем».

drop [ править ]

  • Проиграть игру. « Тигры проигрывают Блю Джейс четвертым подряд ». [89]
  • Победить другую команду - значит сбросить их. Заголовок: « Уклоняется от одной победы, выйдя из плей-офф после проигрыша на национальном уровне ». [90]
  • Падение летучей мыши .

бросить мяч [ править ]

  • Sinkerball . Также известен как капельница или el droppo .
  • Некоторые экстремальные крученые шары от 12 до 6 также называются «падающими шарами», так как они начинают высоко и ныряют, когда достигают пластины.

бросить стол [ править ]

Скатных мяч , как правило, Curveball , что перерывы очень резко.

упал третий удар [ править ]

Сброшенный третий удар происходит, когда кэтчер не может чисто поймать подачу, которая является третьим ударом (либо из-за того, что отбивающий замахивается и не попадает в него, либо потому, что судья называет это). Площадка считается не пойманной чисто, если мяч касается грязи до того, как его поймали, или если мяч упал после того, как его поймали. При выпавшем третьем ударе назначается удар (и питчеру засчитывается удар), но судья устно указывает, что мяч не был пойман, и не вызывает отбивающего. Если первая база не занята в это время (или, с двумя аутами, даже если первая база занята), бэттер может попытаться достичь первой базы до того, как будет помечен или выброшен. Учитывая это правило, питчер может зафиксировать более трех аута за иннинг.

утиное фырканье [ править ]

Мяч с мягким ударом, который проходит над полевыми игроками и приземляется в дальней зоне для попадания . Первоначально называется «уток пердеть», [ править ] этот термин был популяризировали White Sox диктора Hawk Харрельсон , чтобы сделать его более семейным.

утки на пруду [ править ]

Бегуны на второй или третьей базе, но особенно когда базы загружены . «Его средний показатель составляет 0,350, когда в пруду есть утки».

срок [ править ]

Говорят, что тесто «должно быть», когда он переживает резкий спад , но обычно он достигает удовлетворительного или лучшего среднего. Пример: «Пол Конерко сегодня 0-из-3, он должен нанести удар». Это бейсбольная версия заблуждения Игрока .

землянка [ править ]

Землянка хозяев поля в Ориол-парке на Кэмден-Ярдс в 2017 году.
Блиндаж , где скамейка команды находится. За исключением подающих в стойле , активные игроки, которые не находятся на поле, наблюдают за игрой из блиндажа. Землянка - это область, которая находится ниже уровня поля, как это часто бывает в профессиональном бейсболе. Обычно существует граница, часто окрашенная в желтый цвет, определяющая края блиндажа, чтобы помочь судье сделать определенные запросы, например, считается ли брошенный мяч «на скамейке запасных» или нет. В своде правил по-прежнему используется термин скамейка , поскольку нет требования, чтобы она была «выкопана» или обязательно ниже уровня поля. Оригинальные скамейки обычно былина уровне поля, с крышкой для тени или без нее. По мере развития приблизительного проектирования сиденья-боксы были построены ближе к полю, что снизило высоту перил трибуны и заставило использовать землянку для строительства скамейки.

свалка [ править ]

Можно сказать, что игрок, который бьет по мячу, бросает головной убор. «Поланко бросил головню на третью базовую линию». См. Также лож . Нападающий-правша бросает головку на третью и толкает головку на первую. Нападающий левша тянет мяч к первому и толкает головку к третьему

тряпка, смола для пыли [ править ]

Шаг , часто кисть назад , брошен так далеко внутрь , что тесто падает на землю ( «попадет пыль») , чтобы избежать этого. Несколько противоречиво, можно сказать , что в той же игре питчер «стер пыль» с жидкого теста.

умирающий перепел [ править ]

Отбитый мяч , который падает перед Outfielders для удара , часто неожиданно (как подстреленная птица). Также известен как ляп , в li'l петлителя, в chinker , в Bleeder или Gork.



E [ править ]

ERA [ править ]

См. Средний заработанный пробег .

ранняя подача [ править ]

Первые три иннинга обычной игры с девятью иннингами.

заработанный пробег [ править ]

Любая пробежка, за которую питчер несет ответственность (т. Е. Пробежка не была засчитана в результате ошибки при игре на поле или пропущенного мяча ). В основном используется для расчета среднего заработка . При определении заработанных пробежек ошибка, начисленная питчеру, обрабатывается точно так же, как ошибка любого другого полевого игрока. Некоторые питчеры, особенно Эд Линч , называют заработанные пробежки «заработанными».

средний заработанный пробег [ править ]

В бейсбольной статистике среднее количество забегов - это среднее количество забегов, которые питчер бросил за девять поданных подач. Он определяется путем деления разрешенного количества заработанных ранов на количество поданных иннингов и умножения на девять. Выполнения, возникшие в результате защитных ошибок, записываются как незаработанные запуски и исключаются из расчетов ERA.

заработать [ править ]

Пропущенные очки . «Несчастным неудачником был Карсон Уиллер, который отказался от шести заработков за один плюс подач работы». [91]

легко [ править ]

Напоминание защищающейся команде о том, что при двух аутах для завершения иннинга нужен только один, и поэтому они должны получить как можно более легкий аут. «Пойдем D, два прочь, получи легкое». Легкий аут - это также тесто со слабым ударом, обычно в самом конце очереди.

съесть мяч [ править ]

Действие по подаче мяча с битой (обычно чисто или почти так), но удержание за него, а не попытка бросить на базу, чтобы отстранить бегуна. Обычно это делается потому, что полевой игрок считает, что вероятность выхода бегуна на пенсию мала и что было бы предпочтительнее позволить бегуну беспрепятственно достичь одной базы, чем рисковать совершить ошибку, которая может позволить бегуну продвинуть дополнительные базы. Эта фраза обычно используется только для описания действий инфилдера, кэтчера или питчера. «Этот медленный ролик не прошел мимо ныряющего Скутаро , но он решил съесть мяч, а не рисковать броском, чтобы остановить быстро бегающего Гарднера ». Также часто используется в прошедшем времени. "Атакующий третий игрок с низов Кабрера съел мяч после той большой головной уборы отХуан Пьер . " [ Ссылка ]

Эфус [ править ]

Очень медленный шаг с высокой траекторией дуги. Изобретенный в 1930-е гг. Херлером Pittsburgh Pirates Рипом Сьюэллом , он входит в репертуар питчера Филлис Хосе Контрераса; бросается очень редко, чтобы обмануть нападающего. Лучше всего использовать его экономно, потому что по нему очень легко попасть без элемента неожиданности. Тед Уильямс сказал, что победный хоумран, который он выиграл у Сьюэлла в Матче всех звезд 1946 года, был его самым большим волнением в бейсболе.

извлекать [ редактировать ]

Игрок или тренер, дисквалифицированный судьей из игры за неспортивное поведение . Синонимы включают: бросил, выбросил, изгнали, преследовал, дали большой палец, дали (старый) вздох, выгнали, загрузили, бежали, отправили в здание клуба.

слоновье ухо [ править ]

Когда подкладка карманов игрока торчит из карманов.

аварийный хак [ править ]

Поздний и часто неудобный защитный замах на поле, которое обычно выглядит как мяч, но поздно попадает в зону удара.

аварийный стартер [ править ]

Когда питчер, который обычно играет питчера или играет в низших лигах , вызван к незамедлительному началу игры из-за того, что первоначально запланированный стартер травмирован или болен. Иллюстрация: «Поскольку Чан Хо Пак на неопределенный срок выведен из игры из-за того, что было диагностировано как анемия, ожидается , что Майку Томпсону снова позвонят в качестве аварийного стартера, который прибудет через Портленд , где он провел последние 10 дней с Triple-A Beavers . " [92]

наждачный шар [ править ]

Бейсбольный мяч, истертый наждачной доской . Способ, которым питчер наносит удар мячу ; запрещен с 1920 года. Также известен как схватка.

стереть [ редактировать ]

Бегун, который уже благополучно находится на базе, «стирается», будучи выброшенным.

ошибка [ править ]

  • Ошибка - это неправильная игра полевого игрока, которая позволяет бэттеру или бейсраннеру достичь одной или нескольких дополнительных баз, когда, по мнению официального секретаря , это продвижение могло быть предотвращено обычными усилиями. Ошибка также начисляется, когда полевой игрок не может поймать мяч с нарушением правил полета, который мог быть пойман обычным усилием. Термин «ошибка» также может относиться к игре, в которой была допущена ошибка. Поскольку питчер и кетчер очень много обращаются с мячом, некоторые их неправильные действия называются «дикой подачей» или «пасом» и не считаются ошибками.
  • СИНОНИМЫ: болтун, ляп, халява, промах, промах, пинок или сапог («Лопес пнул землянина»; «Джонсон загрузил его».)

даже считать [ править ]

1-1 или 2-2. Смотри граф .

повседневный игрок [ править ]

  • Позиция игрока , в отличие от кувшина , который может играть только раз в несколько дней. Иногда талантливому потенциальному игроку, который является хорошим питчером, но выдающимся нападающим, рекомендуется сосредоточиться на игре на другой позиции и, таким образом, стать обычным игроком, чтобы воспользоваться своим ударом.
  • Позиционный игрок, который является постоянным игроком в стартовом составе практически в каждой игре, в отличие от любого из:
    • взвод игрок , который играет только против кувшинов противоположной стороны.
    • Запасной игрок, который начинает большинство игр на скамейке запасных или только изредка начинает игры, заменяя обычного стартового игрока на его позиции. Иногда этих игроков называют игроками на скамейке запасных или ролевыми игроками . Они также могут брать на себя щипковые удары или беговые задания.

Империя зла [ править ]

Распространенное прозвище « Нью-Йорк Янкиз» из-за его богатства и победы в большинстве чемпионатов. Это прозвище используют в основном болельщики Boston Red Sox и в меньшей степени болельщики других команд. Известно, что даже некоторые фанаты Янки называют себя и свою команду «Империей зла» в знак почета.

извини качели [ править ]

Когда отбивающий случайно ударяет по мячу во время контрольного замаха . Контраст с качающейся головкой .

расширить зону удара [ править ]

Когда питчер выходит вперед в счете , он «расширяет зону удара», потому что нападающий с большей вероятностью нанесет удар на поле, которое находится на краю или за пределами зоны удара, или в каком-либо другом месте, где он не может попасть в него. . «В идеале питчер должен попытаться вырваться вперед в счете, и когда это произойдет, питчер эффективно« расширил зону удара », так как бэттер теперь находится в обороне и будет более склонен преследовать передачи за пределами зоны удара. " [93]

расширенный список [ править ]

Высшая лига термин для увеличения списка игроков , которые могут быть использованы при определенных обстоятельствах, например, при получении дополнительного игрока в дни двойного заголовка или предыдущего (до 2019) спорной практики , когда основные списки лиги могли бы расширить от 25 до до до 40 игроков 1 сентября  .

протянуть руки [ править ]

Когда отбивающий может ударить по полю, находящемуся на удобном расстоянии от его тела, он, как говорят, «вытягивает руки», что позволяет совершить полный замах и сильнее ударить по мячу. « Джей Ди Мартинес поразил двух хомеров в трех карьерных играх на летучих мышах Аллена , который пытался защитить преимущество 2: 1 против середины хваленого состава Детройта.« Я просто опровергал его », - сказал Аллен. Я делал подачу, когда это было необходимо. Одна подача - Джей Ди Мартинес продлил фастбол и ударил его очень сильно ». [94]

дополнительные базы [ править ]

Любые базы, полученные отбивающим после первой базы при попадании . Таким образом, удвоение считается одной «дополнительной базой», тройное - двумя, а хоумран - тремя. Эти виды ударов называются «дополнительными базовыми ударами» и улучшают процент пробивания отбивающего .

дополнительные возможности [ править ]

Дополнительные иннинги, необходимые для определения победителя, если игра заканчивается после установленного количества иннингов (девять на уровне колледжа / профессионала, семь на уровне средней школы, шесть в младшей лиге). Также известен как бонусный бейсбол или бесплатный бейсбол, потому что платные зрители становятся свидетелями большего количества действий, чем обычно. Иногда, но не часто, это называется «сверхурочной работой», когда речь идет о других командных видах спорта.

дополнительные кадры [ править ]

Смотрите дополнительные иннинги . Также см. Рамку .

дополнительный выход [ править ]

Когда команда допускает ошибку при игре в обороне, которая должна была быть легкой, считается, что команда предоставила своему противнику «дополнительный аут». «Было несколько иннингов, в которых мы давали им дополнительные ауты, - сказал Ведж . - Возможно, это и не ошибки, но мы не играем» » [95].



F [ править ]

осенняя классика [ править ]

  • World Series - чемпионат серии МЛБ , в котором чемпион Американской лиги сталкивается с против чемпиона Национальной лиги . Обычно эта серия проходит в октябре, поэтому играть в октябре - цель любой команды высшей лиги. Прозвище Реджи Джексона «Мистер Октябрь» указывает на то, что он отлично сыграл в Мировой серии для янки . Другой янки, Дерек Джетер , получил прозвище «Мистер Ноябрь» после того, как совершил хоумран в  четвертой игре Мировой серии 2001 года сразу после полуночи.1 ноября по местному времени .  Для сравнения, владелец Yankees Джордж Стейнбреннер назвал другого своего игрока ( Дэйва Уинфилда ) «мистером Мэй», выразив разочарование по поводу выступления этого игрока в Fall Classic.
  • Единственный раз, когда в Fall Classic играли летом, был 1918 год, когда сезон был сокращен из-за Первой мировой войны, и серия была сыграна в начале сентября.
  • Впервые Fall Classic продлили до ноября в 2001 году. Гомер Джетера был первым появлением пластин в ноябре в истории MLB; Сезон 2001 года был отложен на несколько дней после 11 сентября , в результате чего начало Мировой серии пришлось на последнюю неделю октября, а конец серии - на ноябрь. Впоследствии в ноябре в Мировой серии 2009, 2010 и 2015-17 годов будут игры.

упасть со стола [ править ]

Говорят, что подача «падает со стола», когда она начинается в зоне удара или кажется ударной для отбивающего и заканчивается низко или в грязи. Этот термин в основном используется для смены рук и быстрых мячей с разделенными пальцами , а иногда и для кривых мячей сверху .

поклонник [ править ]

«Раздувать» бэттера - значит нанести ему удар , особенно тройной удар .

вмешательство вентилятора [ править ]

Когда болельщик или любое лицо, не связанное с одной из команд, меняет ход игры (по мнению судьи), это является вмешательством болельщика. Мяч становится мертвым , и судья присуждает какие-либо базы или взимает любые ауты, которые, по его мнению, произошли бы без вмешательства. Это один из нескольких типов помех в бейсболе.
Если болельщик касается мяча, находящегося за пределами поля, например, попавшего на трибуну мяча, это не считается вмешательством болельщика, даже если защитник мог успешно выставить мяч на поле. Таким образом, печально известный случай в  6-й игре NLCS, когда фанат « Чикаго Кабс» Стив Бартман попытался поймать мяч на территории, где нарушен закон, что, возможно, помешало левому полузащитнику « Кабс» Моисесу Алу сделать цирковой улов, не был случаем вмешательства болельщиков.

модный Дэн [ править ]

Полевой игрок, который придает дополнительный импульс своим движениям во время игры в надежде получить одобрение зрителей. [96] [97] Уилберт Робинсон был менеджером, когда Аль Лопес начинал как ловец в майорах. Робинсон наблюдал за стилем Лопеса и, наконец, закричал: «Скажи этому панку, что у него есть две руки, чтобы поймать его! Не бери в голову материал Fancy Dan ». Лопес в конечном итоге побил рекорд Робинсона по играм за пластиной.

команда фермы [ править ]

A farm team is a team or club whose role it is to provide experience and training for young players, with an expectation that successful players will move to the big leagues at some point. Each Major League Baseball team's organization has a farm system of affiliated farm teams at different minor league baseball levels.

fastball[edit]

A pitch that is thrown more for high velocity than for movement; it's the most common type of pitch. Also known as smoke, a bullet, a heater (you can feel the heat generated by the ball), or a hummer (the ball can't be seen, only heard).

fastball count[edit]

A count in which the pitcher would be ordinarily expected to throw a fastball, such as 3-1, 3-2, or 2-1, as fast ball are usually easiest to locate in the strike zone. Occasionally a pitcher will pull the string by throwing an off-speed pitch.

fastball happy[edit]

When a pitcher relies too much on his fastball, perhaps because his other pitches are not working well for him during that game, he's said to be "fastball happy". This can get a pitcher into trouble if the batters can anticipate that the next pitch will be a fastball. "Andy is at his best when he trusts his breaking stuff and doesn't try to overpower guys. When he gets fastball happy he gets knocked around."[98]

fat pitch[edit]

A pitch that is located exactly where the hitter is expecting it. The ball may look bigger than it actually is, and the batter may hit it a long way.

feed[edit]

To throw the ball carefully to another fielder in a way that allows him to make an out. A first-baseman who has just fielded a ground ball will "feed the ball" to the pitcher who is running over from the mound to make the force out at first base. An infielder who has fielded a ground-ball will feed the ball to the player covering second base so the latter can step on the base and quickly throw to first base to complete a double play.

fencebuster[edit]

A slugger.

field[edit]

  • A baseball field or baseball diamond upon which the game of baseball is played.
  • A ballfield, ballpark, or stadium (e.g., Dodger Stadium, Wrigley Field, Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome).
  • To field the ball is to capture or make a play on a ground ball or to catch a fly ball.
  • To take the field means the defensive players are going to their positions, while the other team is on the offense or at bat. "The Reds have taken the field, and Jose Reyes is leading off for the Mets."

fielder[edit]

  • Any defensive player (the offense being batters and runners).
  • Often, defensive players are distinguished as either pitchers or position players. Position players are further divided into infielders and outfielders.

field manager[edit]

The head coach of a team is called the manager (more formally, the field manager). He controls team strategy on the field. He sets the line-up and starting pitcher before each game as well as making substitutions throughout the game. In modern baseball the field manager is normally subordinate to the team's general manager (or GM), who among other things is responsible for personnel decisions, including hiring and firing the field manager. However, the term manager used without qualification almost always refers to the field manager.

fielder's choice[edit]

A fielder's choice (FC) is the act of a fielder, upon fielding a batted ball, choosing to try to putout a baserunner and allow the batter-runner to advance to first base. Despite reaching first base safely after hitting the ball, the batter is not credited with a hit but would be charged with an at-bat.

figger filbert[edit]

An old-fashioned and more colorful way of saying "numbers nut", for a fan with a near-obsessive interest in the statistics or "figures" of the game. The first true "figger filbert" was probably Ernest Lanigan, who was the first historian of the Baseball Hall of Fame and prior to that was one of the first, if not the first, to publish an encyclopedia of baseball stats, in the 1920s. In the modern era, Bill James could be said to be the iconic "figger filbert". He is also a founding father of the field of baseball research called sabermetrics.[citation needed]

fight off a pitch[edit]

When a batter has two strikes on him and gets a pitch he cannot hit cleanly, he may be said to "fight off the pitch" by fouling it off. "Langerhans fought off one 3-2 pitch, then drove the next one to the gap in left-center to bring home the tying and winning runs."[99]

filthy[edit]

A compliment for a pitcher, especially one who specializes in breaking balls with a lot of movement. Also for a particularly impressive breaking ball, especially one thrown for a third strike. Synonymous with "nasty." Bert Blyleven was an example of a pitcher with an absolutely filthy curveball.

find a hole[edit]

To get a base hit by hitting the ball between infielders. "The 13th groundball that Zachry allowed found a hole."[100]

find his bat[edit]

When a batter has been in a slump perhaps for no evident reason, but then starts getting hits, he may be said to have "found his bat". "With the Tigers having found their bats for a night, they reset the series and put themselves in position to all but lock up the AL Central."[101]

find his swing[edit]

When a batter has experienced a slump, he may take extra practice or instruction to "find his swing". Perhaps he has a hitch in his swing, or his batting stance has changed. Having "lost his swing", now he must "find it". This phrase is also used in golf.

find the seats[edit]

As if a ball leaving the bat is in search of a place to land, a ball that "finds the seats" is one that leaves the field of play and reaches the stands. It may either be a home run or a foul ball (out of the reach of the fielders).

fireballer[edit]

A pitcher who throws extremely high-velocity fastballs, in excess of 95 miles per hour. A flamethrower.

fireman[edit]

A team's top relief pitcher who is often brought in to end an offensive rally and "put out the fire". The term has been attributed to New York Daily News cartoonist Bruce Stark, who in the 1970s first depicted relievers for the New York Mets and Yankees as firemen coming in to save their teams from danger.[102]

fireplug[edit]

A player, often one of small stature, who is known for his energy, extroversion, and team spirit -- sometimes perhaps more than for his playing ability. "Morgan defied this mold by outworking everybody and employing his moderate athletic gifts to become one of the best all-around players of his era. He hit for power, he hit for average, he stole bases and manufactured runs and he was one of the toughest, smartest defensive second basemen the game has ever seen. He was a relentless fireplug, respected by opposing players and hated by opposing fans."[103]

first-ball hitter[edit]

A hitter who likes to hit the first pitch in an at bat, especially if the hitter often gets a hit on the first pitch.

fisted[edit]

When a batter swings at a pitch that is inside and the ball hits the bat close to his fists (hands). "Following the top half of the first, the Bulls offense struck early when junior leftfielder Junior Carlin fisted a pitch back up the middle on a 1-0 count."[104]

five and dive[edit]

A derogatory term referring to a starting pitcher who is unable to go beyond five innings before wearing out. In the current era in which managers are increasingly aware of the risk of injury to pitchers who have high pitch counts, and in which relief pitching has become a critical part of the game, starters achieve fewer and fewer complete games. Headline: "Vasquez Disputes Five-and-Dive Label".[105]

five o'clock hitter[edit]

A hitter who hits really well during batting practice, but not so well during games. These were formerly known as "ten o'clock hitters" or "two-o'clock hitters" back when there were no night games.

five-tool player[edit]

A position player who has great skill in all the tools or basic skills: hitting for average, hitting for power, base running and speed, throwing, and fielding. See tools for how baseball scouts rate these skills.

FL or F.L.[edit]

Abbreviation for Federal League, a major league that existed from 1914 to 1915. This would be the last "third Major League" to come into existence.

flag down[edit]

To catch or knock down a line drive, as if flagging down a speeding train. "Cody Ross, who singled and moved to second on a ground-out, was stranded when Ramírez's scorched liner ... was flagged down by a diving Jones."[106]

flamethrower[edit]

A fireballer.

flare[edit]

A fly ball hit a short distance into the outfield. "Pudge hit a flare just out of the shortstop's reach."

flashing the leather[edit]

Making an outstanding or difficult defensive play. A player who regularly makes difficult defensive plays may be described as a "leather flasher". See leather.

flip[edit]

  • The act of a fielder's softly tossing the ball to a teammate covering a base when the two are so close that making a regular overhand throw would waste time and/or unnecessarily risk an inaccurate throw.
  • A game played in the bullpen by relief pitchers. There are multiple rules and strategies that can be used.

floater[edit]

A knuckleball. A pitch that may appear to the batter to float or bob up and down on its way to the plate.

fluke hit[edit]

A base hit that results from a weakly batted ball or one that takes an odd bounce.

flutterball[edit]

A knuckleball, a floater.

fly ball[edit]

A ball hit high in the air. See also pop fly, infield fly, and ground ball.

fly ball pitcher[edit]

A pitcher who tends to induce more fly balls than ground balls. Those pitchers are disadvantageous in that they allow more home runs than any other pitcher.

fly out[edit]

  • An out that results from an outfielder catching a fly ball.
  • A batter whose fly ball is caught in the outfield is said to "fly out". "Rodriguez flew out to center fielder Suzuki." (Past tense "flied" is acceptable.)

force play[edit]

When a runner must advance to another base because the batter becomes a runner and, as such, must advance to first base. In this situation, the runner is out if a fielder with the ball touches the base the runner is being forced to; this is considered a "force out". A play when a fly ball is caught and a fielder touches a base prior to the runner tagging up is not a force play, but an appeal play.

forkball[edit]

A type of split-finger fastball or splitter in which the fingers are spread out as far as possible. The ball drops sharply and typically out of the strike zone, maybe even into the dirt.

foul ball[edit]

A batted ball that has gone out of play.

foul lines[edit]

The right field foul line at Rogers Centre
  • Two straight lines drawn on the ground from home plate to the outfield fence to indicate the boundary between fair territory and foul territory. These are called the left-field foul line and the right-field foul line. The foul poles on the outfield walls are vertical extensions of the foul lines.
  • Despite their names, both the foul lines and the foul poles are in fair territory. Any fly ball that strikes the foul line (including the foul pole) beyond first or third base is a fair ball (and in the case of the foul pole, a home run).
  • Note that while the foul lines in baseball are in fair territory, just like the side- and end-lines of a tennis court, in basketball or American football the sidelines are considered out of bounds. In other words, hitting the ball "on the line" is good for the offensive player in baseball and tennis, but stepping on the line is bad for the offensive player in basketball and American football. The situation is slightly different in association football (soccer): the sideline and the goal line are inbounds, and the ball is out of play when it has wholly crossed the side line (touch line) or the goal line, whether on the ground or in the air.

foul off[edit]

Purposely batting a pitch foul with two strikes in order to keep the at-bat going, in part to tire the pitcher and in part to get another, different pitch that might be easier to hit. Luke Appling was said to be the king of "fouling them off". Such a hitter might also be said to be battling or working the pitcher.

foul pole[edit]

A pole located on each foul line on the outfield fence or wall. The left-field foul pole and right-field foul pole are used by umpires to determine whether a batted ball is a home run or a foul ball. The foul pole is a vertical extension of the foul line. The term "foul pole" is actually a misnomer, because the "foul pole" (like the foul line) is in fair territory and a fly ball that hits the foul pole is considered to be a fair ball (and a home run).

foul tip[edit]

A batted ball that is hit sharply and directly from the bat to the catcher's mitt and legally caught by the catcher. It is not a foul tip, as most announcers and journalists mistakenly use the term, if the ball is not caught by the catcher. In this case, it is simply a foul ball. It is also not considered a foul tip if it rebounds off something, like the ground, catcher's mask, the batter, etc. after being struck by the bat but before touching the catcher's mitt. A foul tip is considered in play, not a foul ball, and also counts as a strike, including the third strike (and is also considered a strikeout for the pitcher). It is signalled by the umpire putting his right hand flat in the air and brushing his left hand against it (imitating the ball glancing off the bat) and then using his standard strike call. If the out is not the third out then the ball is alive and in play (unlike on a foul) and runners are in jeopardy if they are trying to advance.

four-bagger[edit]

A home run. Never mind that the 4th "bag" is actually a plate.

four-fingered salute[edit]

An intentional base on balls, from the manager's signal to direct the pitcher to issue one, or to direct the umpire to award the batter first base.

four-seam fastball[edit]

A standard fastball, which does not necessarily break though a good one will have movement as well as velocity and location that makes it difficult to hit. The batter sees the four parallel seams spin toward him. A four-seamer. See two-seamer.

frame[edit]

  • As a noun, a frame is half an inning (either the top or the bottom). Announcer: "Two hits, and two runs scored so far in this frame." Also a bowling term, as suggested by the resemblance of an inning-by-inning scoreboard to a bowling scoresheet.
  • As a verb, framing [a pitch] refers to the positioning and/or movement of the catcher's mitt and body when he catches a pitch and the effect this has on the umpire calling a pitch a strike. The boundaries of the strike zone are clearly defined in the rules; however, with many major-league pitches traveling well in excess of 90 mph (140 km/h), or with "moving" pitches such as the curveball and the knuckleball, it is often difficult for an umpire to judge whether a ball went through the strike zone based solely on watching the ball, particularly at the boundaries of the strike zone. Consequently, umpires sometimes unofficially use the catcher's position and/or movement to help judge whether a pitch is a strike. Framing is a catcher's attempt to use this to his team's advantage. For example, on a pitch near the boundary of the strike zone, a catcher might move his mitt a short, subtle distance toward the strike zone within a split second after catching the ball, with the hope that the umpire will call a strike even if it did not go through the strike zone. Conversely, a pitch near the top of the strike zone might be called a ball if the catcher has to rise from his crouched position to catch it, even if it did go through the defined strike zone. Sabermetricians have developed metrics for how well catchers perform in framing pitches.[107]

free baseball[edit]

Slang for extra innings. The fans get to see extra innings "for free".

free pass[edit]

A base on balls. "Free" because the batter doesn't have to hit the ball to get on base. Also referred to as a "free ticket" and an Annie Oakley.

freeze the hitter[edit]

To throw a strike that is so unexpected or in such a location that the batter doesn't swing at it. "As Cashman spoke, Pettitte fired a strike on the corner, which froze the hitter."[108] "But the right-hander reached in her bag of tricks and threw a tantalizing changeup that froze the hitter for the final out."[109]

friendly confines[edit]

A nickname for Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs.

frozen rope[edit]

A hard-hit line drive. Also a strong throw from the outfield.

full count[edit]

A count of 3 balls and 2 strikes; another strike will result in a strikeout, while another ball will result in a walk. At that point, only a foul ball will extend the at-bat.

full house[edit]

  • Three of a kind (3 balls), and two of a kind (2 strikes): a full count. From the term used in poker. Sometimes called full boat. Instead of holding up fingers indicating the count, the umpire may hold up closed fists, implying "full".
  • Capacity crowd; all seats filled in the stadium. From the theatrical term.

fungo[edit]

A fly ball hit for fielders to practice catching. It is not part of the game, but is accomplished by a batter tossing the ball a short distance up in the air and then batting it himself.

fungo bat[edit]

A lightweight bat with a long, skinny barrel used to hit fungoes. It is not a legal or safe bat to use in a game or even in practice with a live pitcher, because it is too light.



G[edit]

gamer[edit]

A player who plays particularly hard (especially with a willingness to sacrifice his body for the play) and is prone to making the right play at the right time, often in big games. Also used to refer to an excellent piece of equipment, such as a glove or mitt.

gap[edit]

The space between outfielders. Also alley. A ball hit in the gap is sometimes called a flapper or a gapper. "He's swinging the bat right now better than he has all year, and I'm hoping now some of them turns into gappers", Leyland said.[110]

gap hitter[edit]

Hits with power up the alleys and tends to get a lot of doubles. A doubles hitter.

gas[edit]

A fastball. "Give him [the batter] the gas"; as in stepping on a car's gas pedal to accelerate.

gascan[edit]

A pitcher who gives up runs in bunches or in untimely situations. Named as such because he'd be pouring gas over a fire.

gate receipts[edit]

The gross ticket prices paid by all the customers who passed through the entrance gates for a game or a series. Also referred to simply as "the gate". "There's a big gate awaiting the champions ..."[111]

GEDP[edit]

Abbreviation for game ending double play.

general manager[edit]

The general manager (GM) runs the organization of a baseball team (personnel, finance, and operations). Normally distinct from the field manager and the club owner.

gem[edit]

A very well pitched game, almost always a win, in which the pitcher allows few if any hits and at most a run or two. Headline: "Mulder Shakes Off Injury to Pitch Gem".[112]

get a good piece of it[edit]

When swinging a round bat at a round ball, the batter hopes to hit the ball solidly in the center. When he does, he's said to "get a good piece of the ball". "'When you hit in the middle of the order, those are the situations you want', said Cabrera, who leads the major leagues with 116 RBIs. 'He threw me a fastball, and I got a good piece of it.'"[113]

get on one's horse[edit]

When a fielder (usually an outfielder) runs extremely fast towards a hard hit ball in an effort to catch it.

get good wood[edit]

To hit a ball hard. A batter who "gets good wood on the ball" or who "gets some lumber on the ball" hits it hard.

get off the schneid[edit]

To break a scoreless, hitless, or winless streak (i.e., a schneid). According to the Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term "schneid" comes to baseball via gin rummy, and in turn comes from German / Yiddish "schneider", one who cuts cloth, i.e., a tailor.

GIDP[edit]

Statistical abbreviation for grounded into double play.

glove[edit]

  • A baseball glove or mitt is a large padded leather glove that players on the defensive team wear to assist them in catching and fielding. Different positions require different shapes and sizes of gloves. The term "mitt" is officially reserved to describe the catcher's mitt and the first-baseman's mitt. By rule, fielders other than the first-baseman and the catcher can wear only conventional gloves (with individual finger slots), not mitts. There is no rule requiring fielders to wear a glove or mitt, but the nature of the game makes it necessary. A fielder may have to catch a ball bare-handed, if he loses his glove in pursuit of a ball or finds himself at the wrong angle to use it.
  • Most batters nowadays wear leather batting gloves to improve their grip and provide a small amount of padding. Base-stealing artists, especially those who practice the head-first hands-first slide, wear specialized sliding gloves.
  • Players generally keep batting and sliding gloves in their pants pockets when not in use, and their fielding gloves in the dugout. At one time, players would leave their fielding gloves on the field; later they carried them in their pants pockets. This illustrates (1) how much larger and baggier uniforms were and (2) how much smaller the gloves were. The adage "two hands while you're learning" was a necessity in the early years, when gloves simply absorbed shock. The glove has since evolved into a much more effective "trap", and one-hand catches are now the norm.
  • Jokes used in movies and cartoons notwithstanding, the rules forbid throwing the glove to "catch", slow down, or even touch a batted ball. When the umpire calls it, the batter is awarded an automatic triple (meaning all runners ahead of him are allowed to score freely); it is also a live ball, and the batter-runner can try for home. Similarly, it is against the rules to use one's cap as a glove, as "All the Way Mae" (Madonna) did in A League of Their Own. Note that it is only against the rules to actually touch the ball with a thrown glove or other equipment; there is no penalty if the ball is not touched.
  • A player who is very skilled at defense is said to have a good glove.

GM[edit]

An abbreviation for general manager.

go-ahead run[edit]

The run which puts a team which was behind or tied into the lead. Used particularly with runners on base (e.g., "The Phillies have Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino on base down 4–2; Victorino represents the tying run and Chase Utley is the go-ahead run at the plate.").

go deep[edit]

  • To hit a home run. "Richie Sexson and Kenji Johjima also went deep for the Mariners."[114]
  • A starting pitcher who pitches past the 6th inning is said to "go deep into the game". "Against the White Sox on Thursday, Morrow's command wasn't there. He walked six batters in ​5 23 innings, and despite coming one out shy of recording a quality start, he didn't prove yet he's able to pitch deep into games."[115]

go down in order[edit]

  • When the defending team allows no opponent on base in a half-inning, thereby retiring the side facing the minimum three batters, the batting team is said to have gone down in order, the defending team is said to have retired it in order.

go quietly[edit]

  • When a team fails to mount a strong offense, such as going 1–2–3 in an inning, it may be said to have "gone quietly". "Outside of a walk to Mantle after Tresh's clout and a ninth-inning single by Pepitone, the Yankees went quietly the rest of the way."[116]
  • A player who retires without a lot of fanfare or complaining may be said to "go quietly".

go the distance[edit]

See go the route.

go the route[edit]

A pitcher who throws a complete game "goes the route".

go yard[edit]

To "go yard" is to hit a home run, i.e., to hit the ball the length of the baseball field or "ball yard".

going bridge[edit]

One more way to say "hit a home run".

gold glove[edit]

The major league player chosen as the best in his league at fielding his position is given a Gold Glove Award.

golden sombrero[edit]

One who strikes out four times in one game is said to have gotten a "golden sombrero". Three strike outs is called the "hat trick", while the rare five strike outs is called the "platinum sombrero".

golfing[edit]

Swinging at an obviously low pitch, particularly one in the dirt. Also used to describe actual contact with a pitch low in the zone.

gone[edit]

  • A home run. Announcer: "That ball is gone."
  • Conversely, a batter who has just been struck out, especially by a power pitcher, as in "He gone!"
  • An announcer may simply announce "one gone" or "two gone" to indicate how many outs have been made in the inning; likewise "one away" and "two away".

good eye[edit]

A hitter who has excellent awareness of the strike zone, and is able to lay off pitches that are barely out of the strike zone, is said to have a "good eye", "Ortiz and Ramirez are a constant threat, whether it's swinging the bats or taking pitches", Cleveland third baseman Casey Blake said. "They have a couple of the best swings in the game and a couple of the best eyes in the game ..."[117]

good hit, no field[edit]

Said to have been the world's shortest scouting report, and often quoted in reference to sluggers such as Dick Stuart and Dave Kingman, who were notoriously poor fielders.

good take[edit]

An accolade given to a batter who does not swing at a pitch that is close to, but not in, the strike zone; most often said to a batter with two strikes (who is naturally tempted).

Goodbye Mr. Spalding![edit]

Exclamation by a broadcaster when a batter hits a home run. First uttered by an unknown broadcaster in the film The Natural. Spalding is a major manufacturer of baseballs.

goose egg[edit]

A zero on the scoreboard.

gopher ball[edit]

A gopher ball (or gopher pitch) is a pitch that leads to a home run, one the batter will "go for". Illustration from an on-line chat: "He was always that guy who'd go in and throw the gopher pitch in the first inning and he'd be two down." A game in which several home runs are hit by both teams may also be described as "gopher ball".

got a piece of it[edit]

When a batter hits a foul ball or foul tip, perhaps surviving a two strike count and remaining at bat, a broadcaster may say "He got a piece of it."

got him[edit]

Short for "got him out".

got to him early[edit]

When a team's batters gets several hits and runs off of the opposing starting pitcher in early innings the batters are said to "get to him early".

got under the ball[edit]

When a hitter swings slightly under the center of the pitched ball, thereby leading to a high fly ball out instead of a home run, he's said to "get under the ball".

grab some pine[edit]

Go sit on the bench, used as a taunt after a strikeout. Popularized by Giants sportscaster Mike Krukow.

grand slam[edit]

Home run hit with the bases loaded. A "grand salami" or a "grand ol' ding dong".

grandstand play[edit]

Showing off for the fans in the grandstands. Also called grandstanding. Not only players, but managers, owners, and politicians often play to the crowd to raise their public image. An example: "Tellem weighed in with a thoughtful back-page article in this Sunday's New York Times regarding the recent Congressional and mainstream media grandstanding over steroids."[118]

granny[edit]

A grand slam. "Torii Hunter's game-winning grand slam was his 10th career granny and third career walk-off homer."[119]

Grapefruit League[edit]

The group of Major League teams that conduct Spring Training in Florida, where grapefruit trees grow in abundance.

great seats[edit]

A sarcastic term for seats high in the bleachers, a long way from the playing field. The phrase was popularized by Bob Uecker in a series of TV commercials.

green light[edit]

Permission from the manager for a batter or runner to be aggressive. Examples include permission for the batter to swing away on a 3–0 count or for a runner to steal a base. An example: "Instead of the bunt sign, Tigers manager Jim Leyland gave Rodríguez the green light and he hit a three-run homer off Riske to give the Tigers a 3–2 win over Kansas City on Sunday."[120]

green monster[edit]

  • The Green Monster is a popular nickname for the 37.2 feet (11.3 m) high left field wall at Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox baseball team. The wall is 310 feet (94.5 m) from home plate and is a popular target for right-handed hitters. The seats on top of the Monster, installed for the 2003 season, are among the most coveted seats at Fenway.
  • The Red Sox have spring training at JetBlue Park at Fenway South (informally, JetBlue Park) in Fort Myers, Florida. JetBlue is an exact copy of Fenway, including a full-sized Green Monster.
  • The Red Sox' mascot is "Wally, the Green Monster".

groove a pitch[edit]

When a pitcher throws a pitch down the middle of the plate ("the groove"). The result may be predictable. An example: "But in the third, with two out and a man at second and the Cards ahead 2–1, Verlander grooved a pitch that Pujols clobbered for a home run."[121]

ground ball[edit]

A hit that bounces in the infield. Also grounder. A bunt is not considered a ground ball.

ground ball with eyes[edit]

A ground ball that barely gets between two infielders for a base hit, seeming to "see" the only spot where it would be unfieldable. Also seeing-eye single.

ground ball pitcher[edit]

A pitcher who tends to induce more ground balls than fly balls. Often a manager will bring a ground ball pitcher in as a relief pitcher when there are men on base and less than two outs, hoping the next batter hits a grounder into a double play.

ground-rule double[edit]

Under standard ground rules, there are conditions under which a batter is awarded second base automatically. If a ball hit in fair territory bounces over a wall or fence (or gets caught in the ivy at Wrigley Field) without being touched by a fielder, it will likely be declared a double. If a ball hit into fair territory is touched by a fan, the batter is awarded an extra base.

ground rules[edit]

Rules specific to a particular ballpark (or grounds) due to unique features of the park and where the standard baseball rules may be inadequate.[122]

guess hitter[edit]

A hitter who primarily guesses what type of pitch is coming and where it will be located as their approach to hitting rather than just looking for a fastball and then reacting to off speed pitches.

gun[edit]

  • A strong arm. Also, a cannon.
  • To throw hard. Announcer (following a grounder and throw to first): "Guillen guns and gets him."

gun down[edit]

To throw out a runner. "Valentin was erased when he tried to steal second, though, and Posada gunned him down."[123]

gyroball[edit]

A type of curveball with a severe break. Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka is said to throw a gyroball. It was designed by a couple of Japanese scientists to reduce arm fatigue in pitchers. The result was a way to throw the ball with an extreme break. Whether such a special pitch really exists remains the subject of great controversy among experts of various pedigrees.[124]



H[edit]

hack[edit]

To swing awkwardly at the ball. "As his son stood in the batter's box and hacked away, Wolpert came up with the idea of opening his own batting cage in Manhattan."[125] Sometimes said of an aggressive hitter who would swing at any pitch within reach, whether high, low, inside, or outside. "An unrepentant free swinger who hacked at anything in the same area code as the strike zone, Puckett drew just 23 walks that year."[126]

Hall of Fame[edit]

The Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Abbreviated HOF. In popular usage, the terms "Hall of Fame broadcaster" and "Hall of Fame writer" are often used to describe recipients of two annual awards, respectively the Ford C. Frick Award and J. G. Taylor Spink Award. Recipients of these awards are recognized in dedicated Hall exhibits, but are not considered actual Hall of Fame members.

Hall of Very Good[edit]

A tongue-in-cheek expression used to refer to players who had successful careers, but whose stats and/or overall performance are not good enough to put them into consideration for the Hall of Fame. Example of players said to be in the "Hall of Very Good" are Chris Carpenter,[127] Lee Smith (who eventually earned Hall of Fame induction), and Mark McGwire.[128]

hammer[edit]

  • To hit the ball hard, typically for extra bases. "Aaron hammered that pitch."
  • The nickname of Henry Aaron — Hank "The Hammer" Aaron — second all-time in Major League career home runs.
  • A curve ball, usually of the 12 to 6 variety.

handcuff[edit]

  • A hard-hit ground ball that bounces directly at an infielder is difficult for him to get his hands on – he appears to have been handcuffed.
  • A pitch thrown high and inside "handcuffs" a batter because he can't get his hands far enough away from his body to swing the bat.

handle[edit]

Often it's said of a player who has not fielded a batted ball cleanly that he "couldn't find the handle on it". This suggests the fanciful notion that a baseball would be easier to hold onto if it had a handle.

hang[edit]

  • A breaking ball that does not "break", or change direction, and so is easy to hit. A hanging curveball.
  • A pitcher may be hung with a loss if he is responsible for his team falling behind in runs and the team never recovers the lead.
  • A runner may be hung up if he is caught in a rundown.
  • A runner may be hung out to dry if he gets picked off at first base, or if a hitter misses a hit-and-run sign and the runner is easily tagged out at second base. A player may be hung out to dry if his team treats him in an unexpected or disappointing way. (Story: "The Mets got what they needed from pitcher Al Leiter yesterday. Unfortunately, Leiter was hung out to dry again, done in by his team's anemic offense.")
  • A team may hang a (number) on the opposing pitcher or his team by scoring that many runs. May use a literal number or an informal term such as a crooked number or a snowman.

happy[edit]

When a pitcher uses a particular type of pitch so much that he becomes less effective, he's sometimes said to be "happy" with the pitch – fastball happy or curveball happy, for example. "This article is a response, in part, to a Boston Globe sports rumor asserting that Josh Beckett has become 'Curveball Happy' and has changed his release point."[129]

hard hands[edit]

A tendency to mishandle fielded balls. Also stone fingers. Contrast soft hands.

hardball[edit]

Baseball, as opposed to softball.

hat trick[edit]

To strike out three times. Used jokingly, as the same term means to score three times in hockey and other sports. This term is also used to indicate someone who has hit three home runs in a game.

HBP[edit]

Hit By Pitch.

head of lettuce[edit]

When a player breaks their bat after hitting the pitch, and the main portion of the bat (the barrel) lands within the infield, the broken portion can splinter into many pieces. (If the barrel lands either in foul territory or outside the established infield, the event is not a head of lettuce.) The term pays homage to other food-related baseball terms such as "can of corn", "high cheese", "in a pickle", etc. The original use of the term dates to 2006 when Joshua Githens first noted the likeness to striking a head of lettuce with the bat. "That bat exploded like a head of lettuce!"

headhunter[edit]

A pitcher who has a reputation for throwing beanballs.

heart of the plate[edit]

Middle of home plate. "Looking to go up the ladder, Hughes instead missed right over the heart of the plate just below belt high with a 95-mph fastball. As good hitters do, Vladimir Guerrero made him pay with a single up the middle."[130]

heat[edit]

Also heater. A fastball.

heavy hitter[edit]

A power hitter. A player who hits a lot of home runs or other extra-base hits. A batter with a high slugging percentage. A slugger. A term shared with the sport of boxing, referring to a fighter who scores a large number of knockouts.

help his own cause[edit]

Said of a pitcher who knocks in runs as a hitter, thereby helping himself to earn credit for a win.

herky-jerky[edit]

A pitcher with an unusual or awkward wind-up or motion, as if he's not in full control of his legs and arms, may be said to have a herky-jerky motion.

hesitation pitch[edit]

A pitcher who pauses in his wind-up, perhaps at the top of the wind-up, may be said to have a hesitation pitch. If this is part of his regular motion, it may be effective in throwing off the timing of the batter. If it's an occasional motion and used when there are runners on base, the pitcher is at risk of being called for a balk.

hidden ball trick[edit]

A very rare feat in which a fielder has the ball and hides it from a runner, tricking him into believing some other fielder has it or that it has gotten away from them. (There is no rule against such deception except that once the pitcher toes or stands astride the rubber, he must have the ball in his possession or else a balk will be called.) Any baserunner so victimized will be ribbed endlessly by his teammates for having been caught napping.

high and tight[edit]

A location pitch thrown above the strike zone and close to the batter.

high cheese[edit]

A fastball thrown high in the strike zone.

high hard one[edit]

A fastball thrown high in, or above the strike zone.

high heat[edit]

A strike thrown high in the strike zone.

high let it fly; low let it go[edit]

An adage about batting against a knuckleball pitcher. Fluttering knuckleballs are notoriously hard to hit, especially low in the strike zone.

hill[edit]

The pitcher's mound.

hit[edit]

  • The act of safely reaching first base after batting the ball into fair territory. Abbreviated as H, this meaning is synonymous with base hit. See also single, double, triple, home run, extra-base hit, error, fielder's choice.
  • The act of contacting the ball with the bat. "The batter hit the ball right at the second baseman."
  • When a batter is touched by a pitch. See hit by pitch
  • The term sacrifice hit is used by scorekeepers to indicate a sacrifice bunt. It is typically an out, not a base hit (unless the batter beats the throw to first without benefit of an error).

hit a bullet[edit]

To hit the ball very hard, typically a line drive.

hit and run[edit]

An offensive tactic whereby a baserunner (usually on first base) starts running as if to steal and the batter is obligated to swing at the pitch to try to drive the ball behind the runner to right field. Contrast this to a run and hit, where the runner steals, and the batter (who would normally take on a straight steal) may swing at the pitch.

hit away[edit]

After a batter has attempted but failed to lay down a bunt, or in a situation in which he might ordinarily be expected to bunt, he may instead make a normal swing at the ball on the next pitch. In such a case he is said to "hit away" or "swing away". "Smoltz swung away, fouling it off for strike one. Knowing that the bunt had been given away on the first pitch, Braves manager Bobby Cox took off the bunt sign this time."[131]

hit behind the runner[edit]

An offensive tactic where the batter intentionally puts the ball in play to the right side (the first base side) with a runner on second. The intent is to advance the baserunner to third, where a sacrifice fly by the next hitter can score a run.

hit by pitch[edit]

  • When a pitch touches a batter in the batter's box, the batter advances to first base. If the pitch hits him while he is swinging (striking) he is not awarded a base, and if the umpire feels he made no effort to avoid getting hit he simply calls a ball.
  • Colloquially, a batter who is hit by a pitch has been plunked, drilled, nailed, plugged, or beaned.

hit 'em where they ain't[edit]

Said to be the (grammatically-casual) response of turn-of-the-20th-century player Willie Keeler to the question, "What's the secret to hitting?" in which "'em" or "them" are the batted balls, and "they" are the fielders.

hit for average[edit]

Contrary to what might be literally implied, a player who "hits for average" is one who achieves a high batting average.

hit for the cycle[edit]

When a given player hits a single, double, triple and home run in the same game. To accomplish this feat in order is termed a "natural cycle". Hitting for the cycle is a rare enough occurrence that Major League Baseball keeps special statistics on it.[132]

hit it where the grass don't grow[edit]

Hit the ball into the stands for a home run.

hit on Christmas Day[edit]

When a player seems to have a natural aptitude to get hits in all situations. "Magglio can hit Christmas Day", Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "It's an old saying, and he's one of those guys who can. There's nothing fancy. He sees it, hits it and does it pretty damned good."[133]

hit the ball on the screws[edit]

To hit the ball even center with measured force, often resulting in a loud crack of the bat. A slumping batter might be comforted by "hitting the ball on the screws" when not getting a hit. The phrase derives from golf, referring to a well executed shot. Back when "woods" were actually made of wood, manufacturers screwed a plastic insert into the club face as a safeguard against premature wear. When a golfer hit a good shot he would say, "I hit it on the screws."[134] Another source is the fact that early baseball bats usually cracked lengthwise into two pieces; many were repaired using glue and two screws. (Such repairs are now illegal.)

hit the deck[edit]

When a batter drops or dives to the ground to avoid being hit by a pitch. "The third kind of pitch is the one that is coming right at your head. This one you don't even have time to think about. Some part of you sees the ball as it leaves the pitcher's hand, and something about the fact that the ball is coming straight toward your eye makes it almost disappear into a blind spot. You hit the deck before you even know you've done it."[135]

hit the dirt[edit]

To slide. Sometimes used also as equivalent to hit the deck.

hitch in his swing[edit]

When a batter does not swing the bat in a single motion – perhaps he lifts the bat or moves his hands or hesitates before swinging – he may be said to have a "hitch in his swing". Having a hitch may slow down how quickly or powerfully he swings at the pitch. "All winter, Green worked on eliminating a hitch from his swing. He did it by setting up a video camera at a batting cage near his home in Irvine, California, taping swing after swing, and comparing it with video from his days with the Los Angeles Dodgers."[136]

hitter[edit]

Batter.

a person who hits a ball with a bat in baseball.

hitter's count[edit]

When a batter is way ahead in the count (3–0, 3–1, 2–0) he's likely to anticipate that the next pitch will be thrown down Broadway—in the middle of the plate. See count.

hitter's park[edit]

  • A baseball park in which hitters tend to perform better than average. This may be a result of several factors, including the dimensions of the park (distance to the outfield fences, size of foul territory behind the plate and down the lines), prevailing winds, temperature and relative humidity, and altitude. Whether a park is a hitter's park or a pitcher's park (in which hitters perform worse than average) is determined statistically by measuring Park Factors, which involves comparing how well hitters perform in a given park compared with how they perform in all other parks. This measure is regularly reported and updated for Major League Baseball parks by ESPN.com.[137] Baseball Reference [138] and other baseball research organizations also report park factors for major league parks. Baseball Prospectus [139] and other baseball researchers calculate park factors for minor league parks to help in adjusting the statistics of baseball prospects.
  • Whether a park is a hitter's park or pitcher's park may change from day to day. For example, when the wind is blowing "out" at Wrigley Field, it is typically rendered a "hitter's park", and a double-digit score for one or both teams is not unusual.
  • On the other hand, some are hitter's parks, any and all other factors notwithstanding. Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium, Braves home field from 1966-1996, was known as The Launching Pad.

hitterish[edit]

A physical and/or mental state where a player is seeing pitches well and his timing is on, so that observers or the player himself feel he has a good chance at getting a hit. Often used by players and sportscasters. "It's like Charley Lau used to tell us, used to tell me: 'You look very hitterish up there. You look hitterish, you look like you're going to hit the ball hard'", Brett said in camp.[140]

hold[edit]

  • A hold (abbreviated as H) is awarded to a relief pitcher if he enters in a save situation, records at least one out, and leaves the game without having relinquished that lead. To receive a hold, the pitcher must not finish the game (thus becoming the closing pitcher) or be the winning pitcher.
  • Unlike saves, more than one pitcher can earn a hold in a game. It is also not necessary for the pitcher's team to win the game in order to achieve a hold; they merely have to be in the lead at the time the pitcher exits.
  • The hold was invented in 1986 to give credit to non-closer relief pitchers. Holds are most often accredited to setup pitchers, as they usually pitch between the starter and the closer. Holds are not an official Major League Baseball statistic, but are recognized by the MLB in its rules.

hold the runner on[edit]

Jake Bauers (right) holding Yandy Díaz on at first base
When a runner is on first base, the first baseman might choose to stand very close to first base rather than assume a position behind first base and more part-way toward second base (a position better suited to field ground balls hit to the right side of the diamond). When he does this he's said to "hold the runner on (first)" because he's in a position to take a throw from the pitcher and thereby discourage the runner from taking a big lead-off.

hold up on a swing[edit]

When a batter begins to swing the bat at a pitch but stops swinging before the bat makes contact with the ball or the bat passes the front of the plate, he may be said to "hold up on his swing".

hole[edit]

  • One of the nine places in the batting lineup. The leadoff hitter in the first inning is the player in the "one hole". In the four hole, the cleanup hitter is hoping to get to the plate in that inning.
  • Also see in the hole.

hole in his glove[edit]

A tendency to drop fly balls, usually after they hit (and seem to go through) the fielder's glove.

hole in his swing[edit]

A scouting report phrase describing a batter who can't hit strikes in a particular location. "Howard became a star after fixing a hole in his swing."[141]

hole in the lineup[edit]

A team that has one or more weak hitters in its 9-person batting order has a "hole in the lineup" that opposition teams can take advantage of. "There are no holes in that lineup, so to say you're going to pitch around one batter might not be the best thing."[142] "If the team that Shapiro has constructed is going to overtake the Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees or any of the other contenders in the American League, it can't afford another season with a hole in the middle of the lineup that Hafner was from May through the playoffs last season."[143]

home[edit]

Home plate. For a runner to reach home safely is to score a run. Getting a runner who is on base home is the goal of any batter.

home cooking[edit]

  • When a player for the home team gets a favorable or generous call from the official scorer, the players may refer to the scorer's call as "home cooking". For example, the scorer may credit a batter for a base hit on a batted ball that a fielder bobbled briefly and then failed to make a putout.
  • "Home cooking" is sometimes used synonymously with home field advantage. The reference may be to the home team having the advantage of living at home, not just to being able to play in its own stadium.

home advantage|home field advantage[edit]

Teams playing home games have a small advantage over visiting teams. In recent decades, home teams have tended to win about 53.5% of their games.[144] Because teams play the same number of games at home as they do away during the regular season, this advantage tends to even out. In play-off series, however, teams hope to gain from home-field advantage by having the first game of the series played in their home stadium.

home game|home team[edit]

A game played at the home stadium or ballpark of a baseball club. When the Yankees play in Yankee Stadium, they're playing a home game. The team hosting the game is referred to as the home team. In rare instances, the home team plays in a stadium not their own. In 2005, the Houston Astros played a "home" series against the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park in Milwaukee, home of the Brewers, because their home stadium, Minute Maid Park, was rendered temporarily unusable because of Hurricane Rita. In 2010, the Toronto Blue Jays played a "home" series against the Philadelphia Phillies at the Phillies' home park, Citizens Bank Park, because of security concerns due to the G-20 summit being held in Toronto. Despite being in Philadelphia, the Blue Jays wore their home white uniforms and batted last. Also, despite Citizens Bank Park being a National League field, the designated hitter was used in the series.

home half[edit]

The second (bottom) half of an inning, in which the home team is at bat.

home plate[edit]

See also plate.

home run[edit]

A home run (or homer) is a base hit in which the batter is able to circle all the bases, ending at home plate and scoring a run himself.

home run derby[edit]

A batting competition in which the object is to hit the most home runs.[145] The 1960 television series Home Run Derby featured such a competition.[146] A number of amusement parks, entertainment centers and batting cages offer a home run derby type competition.[145] Since 1985, Major League Baseball has hosted an annual Home Run Derby.[147] At least one minor league, the Southern League, has also held a home run derby.[148] In 2007, the Israel Baseball League played 7-inning games, and if the teams were tied at the end of the 7th inning the tie was broken by use of a home run derby.[149]

home run trot[edit]

  • When a batter, realizing the ball he just hit is about become a home run, slows from a run to a celebratory trot. "Well, I've been saying it all year, and it finally happened tonight: David Ortiz became the first player in the 2010 season to take more than 30-seconds to trot around the bases after a home run. With four of the top five slowest home run trots of the year already - all four of which were clocked in at 28.95 seconds or slower - it seemed inevitable that he would be the first to break the half-minute barrier."[150]
  • Sometimes a player mistakenly slows down, however, when the wind or a superb play by an outfielder, turns a home run into a double or single off the outfield wall, or to a long out, or to another odd outcome, as the following case illustrates:

Unfortunately for his personal power totals, Milledge was bamboozled into believing his liner in the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday night had cleared the left-field fence at PNC Park for his first career grand slam. Dead certain he had gone deep, Milledge raised his fist rounding first base, put his head down and went into a trot. Cool. Double-dog certain because the fireworks guy at PNC set off the pyrotechnics that explode every time a Bucs player goes deep. Music also began to blare. What a glorious moment for the Bucs! ... only, the ball had not cleared the fence. It hit the top and stayed in the field of play. As Bucs announcer Bob Walk said, "Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, uh oh — we got a problem here." Milledge was not quite midway between second and third base when he realized the Cubs had him in a rundown. And, yeah, um, he was tagged out. Score that a two-run double and a big ol' base-running blunder.[151]

home stand[edit]

A series of home games. See also road trip.

home team[edit]

The "home team" is the one in whose stadium the game is played against the "visiting team". The home team has the advantage of batting in the second or bottom half of the inning. In case a game is played at a neutral site, the "home" team is usually determined by coin toss.

homer[edit]

  • A home run.
  • Also, a derisive term for a dedicated, almost delusional, fan. Especially used for a broadcaster, in any sport, whose team "can do no wrong". Johnny Most of the Boston Celtics and Hawk Harrelson of the Chicago White Sox were notorious "homers". In a somewhat more humorous example, Bert Wilson used to say, "I don't care who wins, as long as it's the Cubs!" A common "homer" saying is, "My two favorite teams are (my team) and whoever's playing (my team's rival)."

hook[edit]

  • When a manager leaves the dugout with the obvious intention of replacing the pitcher with a reliever, he may be said to be carrying a hook. "Here comes Sparky, and he's got the hook." Such a usage may have come from the large hooks that were sometimes used in Vaudeville to yank unsuccessful acts off the stage if they were reluctant to leave on their own. When he was manager of the Cincinnati Reds, Sparky Anderson's heavy reliance on relief pitching earned him the nickname "Captain Hook", a reference both to the standard usage and to the Peter Pan villain.
  • A pitcher is said to be "on the hook" when he leaves the game with his team behind because of runs that he gave up — a hook on which he may be hung with the loss.
  • A curveball.

hook foul[edit]

When the batter pulls the ball down the line, starting fair but ending foul, resulting in a foul ball. See also slice foul.

hopper[edit]

A batted ball that takes several bounces in the infield, or a single "high hop" after it hits the ground just in front of home plate. Also see "short hop".

horsehide[edit]

  • The ball (a baseball) used in the game of baseball.
  • The leather cover on the baseball (which is now usually made of cowhide, not horsehide). A slugger may be said to "knock the horsehide off the ball". Horsehide was the cover of choice for decades, as it was less prone to stretching than cowhide. This was necessary in part because in the early days, they tried to play the entire game with a single ball, or as few as possible. That became moot in the 1920s, but horsehide continued to be used until the 1980s or so, when horsehide became prohibitively expensive and cowhide was finally adopted as the standard cover for a baseball.

hose[edit]

A strong arm, said typically of an outfielder. To "be hosed" is to be thrown out on the bases, typically from the outfield.

hot[edit]

A batter who is having a hitting streak or a team having a winning streak is said to be "hot". "'Today was pretty impressive', Scioscia said. 'Hitters, they have their times. When they're hot, they're hot. You can't do anything about it.'"[152]

hot box[edit]

The area between two fielders during a rundown.

hot corner[edit]

The area around third base and the third baseman, so called because right-handed batters tend to hit line drives down the third base line. The third baseman is sometimes called a "cornerman".

hot stove league[edit]

An old fashioned term for a "Winter league" with no games, just speculation, gossip, and story-telling during the months between the end of the World Series and the beginning of Spring training, presumably conducted while sitting around a hot stove. One of Norman Rockwell's well-known baseball paintings is a literal illustration of this term.

house by the side of the road[edit]

A batter who strikes out looking. The term was made popular by legendary Detroit Tigers radio broadcaster Ernie Harwell, who would often say, "He stood there like the house by the side of the road, and watched the ball go by."[153] The phrase originates from the title of a poem by Sam Walter Foss.

howitzer[edit]

A very strong arm. A cannon. A gun. Usually applied to an outfielder. Named after the Howitzer artillery piece. Headline: "Roberto Clemente: A Howitzer for an Arm, An Ocean for a Heart".[154]

human rain delay[edit]

A human rain delay is a derisive term for a player who is very deliberate in his play, such as a pitcher who takes a long time between pitches or a batter who constantly steps out of the batter's box. "The Seattle Mariners will announce a new manager today—Mike Hargrove. Hargrove bears a great nickname—'The Human Rain Delay'. The name stems from the fact that, as a player, Hargrove would take about 15 minutes for every plate appearance. He would step out of the batter's box, fidget with his gloves, his helmet, his pants. He drove the pitcher nuts, but that was his plan."[155]

humpback liner[edit]

A ball hit deep in the infield on a trajectory between those of fly balls and line drives.

hurler[edit]

A pitcher.



I[edit]

ice cream cone[edit]

See: snow cone.

I have it. You get it.[edit]

A fielding play, usually where a lofty fly ball is to land equidistant between two fielders. Both are unsure who should catch it, usually resulting in last-second leaps or dives. Often neither does, in which case the one who had the better chance is charged with an error.

immaculate inning[edit]

A half-inning in which the pitcher strikes out all three batters with exactly nine pitches.

in the batter's eyes[edit]

A high fastball, usually at or near the batter's eye level. Above the strike zone, so a ball, and hard to hit, but also hard to lay off.

infield fly rule[edit]

  • The umpire calls the batter out when (a) there are less than two outs in the inning, and (b) the batter hits a fly ball that can be caught with ordinary effort by an infielder in fair territory, and (c) there are runners on first and second or the bases are loaded.
  • The batter is automatically called out in this situation whether or not a fielder attempts to catch the fly ball, assuming it stays fair. The rule states that the umpire is supposed to announce, "Infield fly, if fair." If the ball will be almost certainly fair, the umpire will likely yell, "Infield fly, batter's out!" or just "Batter's out!"
  • This rule is intended to prevent the fielder from intentionally dropping the ball and getting force outs on the runners on base. The rule is a little mystifying to casual fans of the game, but it has been a fundamental rule since 1895, allegedly to prevent the notoriously tricky Baltimore Orioles from intentionally dropping the ball.

infielder[edit]

First baseman, second baseman and third baseman, plus the shortstop, so called because they are positioned on the infield dirt. The pitcher and catcher are typically not considered infielders, but instead as the battery. However, for purposes of implementing the Infield Fly Rule, the catcher, pitcher, and any player stationed in the infield when the pitch is delivered are included as infielders.

inherited runner[edit]

Inherited runners or inherited baserunners are the runners on base when a relief pitcher enters the game. Since a previous pitcher has allowed these runners to reach base (or was simply pitching when the runners reached base, such as in the case of a fielding error), any inherited runners who score when the relief pitcher is pitching are charged to the previous pitcher's runs allowed and/or earned runs allowed total, depending on how each runner reached base. Modern box scores list how many runners each relief pitcher inherits (if any), and how many of those inherited runners the relief pitcher allows to score, called inherited runs allowed (IRA).

in jeopardy[edit]

In general, a baserunner is in jeopardy at any time the ball is live and he is not touching a base, unless he overran first base on a fair ball or is advancing to a base he was awarded, e.g., on a base on balls or hit batsman. A baserunner who is in jeopardy may be tagged out by a fielder at any time while in jeopardy. A baserunner is also in jeopardy, regardless of whether or not he is touching a base, if the ball is live and any of the following conditions apply:
  • He is touching a base he was forced to vacate, i.e. his teammate hit a fair ball;
  • He failed to tag up on a caught fly ball;
  • He failed to touch a base when he last passed it, or failed to touch the bases in order; or
  • He is touching a base that a preceding baserunner is also touching.

injured list[edit]

Major league teams may remove injured players from their active roster temporarily by placing them on the injured list. Another player can then be called up as a replacement during this time.

inning[edit]

An inning consists of two halves. In each half, one team bats until three outs are made. A full inning consists of six outs, three for each team; and a regulation game consists of nine innings. The first half-inning is called the top half of the inning; the second half-inning, the bottom half. The break between the top and bottom halves is called the middle of the inning. The visiting team is on offense during the top half of the inning, the home team is on offense during the bottom half. Sometimes the bottom half is also referred to as the home half.

innings eater[edit]

A pitcher who may or may not be a starter or a closer but who can be relied on to pitch several innings either to keep his team in contention or sometimes when the game is no longer close, is an "innings eater". Headline: "Appetites never diminish for 'innings-eating' pitchers".

The success of most pitchers is based on statistics such as won-loss record, ERA or saves, but the unsung "innings eater" is judged by how many innings he pitches and the impact his work has on the rest of the staff. "I don't have a whole lot of goals going into the season. I don't shoot for a certain ERA or a certain strikeout number or certain number of wins," says Blanton, entering his second full season. "I try to go out and get a quality start every time, six innings or more, and not miss any starts. I feel if I can do that, I'll get my 200 innings in a year and everything else falls into place with that."[156]

inside baseball[edit]

The inside baseball is an offensive strategy that focuses on teamwork and good execution. It usually centers on tactics that keep the ball in the infield: walks, base hits, bunts, and stolen bases. This was the primary offensive strategy during the Dead Ball Era. Inside baseball is also a common metaphor in American politics to describe background machinations. The equivalent modern term is small ball.

inside the ball[edit]

Proper mechanics of a baseball swing, in which the hitter rotates his body while keeping his hands and the bat close to his body, with the bat coming across the plate after the body has almost fully rotated 90 degrees from his initial stance. Sometimes the phrase used is that the hitter "keeps his hands inside the baseball", and sometimes that the hitter himself "keeps inside the ball" – never mind the connotation of a player's literally being inside a baseball. "He's staying inside the ball so good, man", Dunn said. "For big guys like us, that's a hard thing to do. You always want to get the head [of the bat] out. His right hand is staying inside, so good. That's why he's able to hit the ball to left, to center, to right. He's in a good place right now."[157]

inside-out swing[edit]

When the batter swings at a pitch with his hands ahead of the end of the bat. For a right-handed hitter, this often leads to balls being hit toward the right side of the diamond. One of the most famous "inside-out" hitters is Derek Jeter: "While Jeter became known over his two decades for rising to the occasion and delighting fans with his heroics, he was above all a technician, slashing at pitches with his trademark inside-out swing."[158]

inside-the-park home run[edit]

A play where a hitter scores a home run without hitting the ball out of play.

insurance run[edit]

A run scored by a team already in the lead. These surplus runs do not affect the game outcome but serve as "insurance" against the team giving up runs later.

intentional pass/intentional walk[edit]

Additional terms for the intentional base on balls.

interference[edit]

Interference is an infraction where a person illegally changes the course of play from what is expected. Interference might be committed by players on the offense, players not currently in the game, catchers, umpires, or fans; each type of interference is covered differently by the rules.

interleague play[edit]

Regular-season games between teams in different major leagues, which allow natural rivals and crosstown rivals to play each other more often, not just in play-offs.

Internet baseball awards[edit]

While Major League Baseball calls on the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWA) to name the most valuable player, rookie of the year, and Cy Young Award winner each year, since 1997 Baseball Prospectus has conducted an on-line poll to make Internet Baseball Awards in those categories as well as manager of the year.[159]

interstate[edit]

A batting average below .200. A player with a batting average of .195 is said to be on I-95, a reference to the numbering on the Interstate Highway System. See also the Mendoza Line.

in the books[edit]

The game is over. Long-time New York Mets radio broadcaster Howie Rose (first on WFAN, now on WOR) ends every Mets win with the catchphrase, "Put it in the books!" (Rose's memoir is entitled Put It In The Book!)

in the hole[edit]

  • The spaces between the first baseman and second baseman and between the shortstop and the third baseman, one of the usual places where a ground ball must go for a hit. "Ozzie went deep in the hole" but, despite Ozzie's best effort, the ball "found a hole" through the infield and into the outfield. See also up the middle and down the line.
  • Due up to bat after the on-deck batter. Probably derived from boating, where it was originally "in the hold", the place prior to being "on deck".
  • An unfavorable count. A pitcher would be "in the hole" 3-0 and a batter would be "in the hole" 0-2.

in the (his) kitchen[edit]

Pitching in on the hitter's hands.

in play[edit]

  • A game is in play when the umpire declares "play ball" at the beginning of the game or after a time-out.
  • Any batted ball is "in play" until either the play ends, the umpire calls the ball foul, or there is fan interference or some other event that leads to a dead ball. A ball hit into foul territory but in the air is in play (a fielder may attempt to catch it for an out and runners may attempt to advance after such a catch), but only before it hits the ground or the fence.
  • In sabermetrics, a special definition of "ball in play" is the calculation of "batting average on balls in play" (BABIP), which excludes home runs even though they are fair balls.
  • Also see play.

IO (in and out)[edit]

Infield and outfield practice. "Everyone take your positions for a quick IO"



J[edit]

J-run[edit]

The run the pitcher takes from the mound to first base in order to cover for the first baseman who has just fielded the ball.[citation needed]

jack[edit]

A home run or to hit a home run. "Hitting a jack" or "Jacking one out of here".

jake[edit]

Half-hearted or lazy effort by a player, i.e. "He jaked that play."

jam[edit]

  • To pitch far enough inside that the batter is unable to extend while swinging. "The pitcher jammed the batter." The batter was "handcuffed" or "shackled" by the pitch.
  • When runners are in scoring position with less than two outs and good hitters coming up. "The pitcher is in a jam."
  • The "bases are jammed" (or loaded or full) when there are runners on all three.

janitor throw[edit]

When an outfielder, trying to throw hard, spins or falls down.

jelly legs[edit]

A batter's legs are "made out of jelly" when he departs from a good stance. "His curve ball ... it jelly-legs you." - Phillies First Baseman Jim Thome, referring to Barry Zito's curve.[160]

jerk[edit]

To hit the ball hard, typically used to refer to pulling the ball over the fence for a home run. "Derrek Lee jerked one of his patented doubles into the left-field corner to lead off the fourth against Minnesota lefty Johan Santana, the reigning Cy Young winner."[161]

Judy[edit]

A Punch and Judy hitter who hits with little power.

juiced[edit]

  • "Bases juiced" means bases loaded.
  • A player who is said to be juiced is thought to be taking performance-enhancing drugs. "It is now assumed, of course, that Bonds may well have been juiced on steroids at the time; the previous year he had set the all-time single-season record of 73 home runs, and his musculature was almost freakishly swollen."[162]
  • A baseball that is juiced has been modified in some way that makes it travel farther when hit. "Spectacular increases in home runs have often raised the question: Has the ball been juiced up to travel farther, in order to increase the number of home runs?"[163]

jump[edit]

  • A fielder is said to get a good jump on the ball when he anticipates or reacts quickly to a batted ball and is thereby able to make a good play by fielding or catching it.[164] Also see crack of the bat.
  • A baserunner gets a good jump when he is able to leave the base well before the pitch reaches the plate. "Upsetting the timing of the baserunner can effectively prevent him from getting a good jump ... Base runners often read a pitcher's look and get their jump, or start, based on the pattern the pitcher establishes."[165]

Junior Circuit[edit]

The American League, so-called because it is the younger of the two major leagues. The American League was founded in 1901, while the National League – the Senior Circuit – was founded in 1876.

junk[edit]

breaking balls and knuckleballs, pitches that are hard to hit due to movement rather than velocity. "I couldn't believe he threw me a fastball because he had me down 1-2", Thames said. "He's usually a junk pitcher and he tried to sneak a fastball past me, and he left it up."[166] See also: Eephus pitch

junkball pitcher[edit]

A pitcher who throws predominantly junk, usually due to a weak (or slow) fastball. A junkballer or a junk artist: "Like all junk artists, Trujillo will have to prove himself at the higher levels before getting a shot at a major league job."[167] See also: Eephus pitch



K[edit]

K[edit]

The traditional abbreviation for a strikeout. A backwards K is often used to denote a called strikeout. Invented by Henry Chadwick by taking the "most prominent" letter and reinforcing it with an inferred knockout, the connotation still exists when an announcer says the pitcher "punched out" the batter, a play on words that also refers to punching a time clock and to the motion a home plate umpire usually makes on a called third strike.

keep off the boards[edit]

Also singular, "keep off the board". Keep a team from scoring, and hence off the scoreboard. "Wainwright has kept runs off the board at a better rate than Lester."[168] "After loading the bases with one down in the fourth, the Gators were kept off the board by Barham."[169]

keep the hitter honest[edit]

A pitcher needs to mix up his pitches and thereby "keep the hitter honest" by making it difficult for the hitter to anticipate the type, speed, and location of the next pitch. Sometimes this means throwing a brushback pitch to keep the batter from leaning over the plate to reach a pitch on the outer part of the plate. "Partially with Boston in mind, Wang focused this spring on expanding his repertoire to keep hitters honest and move them off the plate."[170]

keep the line moving[edit]

A reference to a series of batters getting on base safely and advancing runners on base, alluding to an assembly line. "Beltran's popout tore apart a rally that had shaken the Hall of Fame-bound Rivera, molding a game out of what moments before had been a five-run rout. Instead, Beltran couldn't keep the line moving, leaving an eager David Wright awaiting on deck."[171] The 2015 Kansas City Royals were one of the most notable examples of "keeping the line moving" during their postseason run, which led to a World Series title.[172][173]

keystone[edit]

  • Second base.
  • Together the shortstop and second baseman – the fielders nearest second base, often combining on double plays – are sometimes referred to as the keystone combination.

kicked[edit]

A player who makes an error fielding a ground ball may be said to have "kicked the ball" or "kicked it".

kill[edit]

  • A batter who hits the ball very far may be said to have "killed the ball".
  • A pitcher who stifles a rally by the opposing team may be said to have "killed the rally".

knee-buckler[edit]

A breaking ball (usually a curveball) that breaks very sharply, so much so that it freezes the hitter. It starts out directly at the batter (knees buckling out of fear) and then drops into the strike zone.

knock[edit]

  • Knock in: To score an RBI. "Kenny Lofton knocked in the go-ahead run with a 10th-inning single Thursday afternoon as the Cleveland Indians beat Detroit, 3-1."[174]
  • A hit: as in "a two-base knock".
  • Knocks: Hard hits or extra-base hits, not necessarily producing RBIs or referring to a specific type of hit. "Curtis had some solid knocks today."
  • Knocked around: A pitcher who gives up a lot of hits and gets removed from the game is said to have been knocked around or knocked out of the box or knocked out of the game. Example headline: "Toronto 7, Detroit 4: Phil Coke knocked around; Tigers' bats don't respond".[175]
  • Knock down: an infielder who stops a line drive from getting through the infield "knocks it down", perhaps then picking up the ball and throwing the runner out.
  • Knock off: to knock off an opponent is to win the game. "Hawai'i knocks off Santa Clara."[176]
  • Knock the cover off the ball: to hit a baseball extremely hard. See also tore the cover off the ball.

knuckleball[edit]

A pitch thrown with no spin, traditionally thrown with the knuckles, but also with the fingertips. It tends to flutter and move suddenly and erratically on its way to the plate. Also refers to a batted ball that flutters "like a knuckleball". SYNONYMS: knuckler, flutterball, butterfly ball, floater, bug.



L[edit]

lace[edit]

To reach base by hitting a ball between infielders. "McCann laced it through the shift on the right side of the infield."

Lady Godiva[edit]

A pitch delivered with nothing on it. A nod to the legend of Lady Godiva running naked on horseback.[177]

LAIM[edit]

An acronym for League Average Inning Muncher. A LAIM is generally a starting pitcher who can provide around 200 innings over the course of a season with an ERA (Earned Run Average) near the league average. A LAIM is counted on to consume innings, keeping his team in the game but not necessarily shutting down the opposition. The term was coined by baseball blogger Travis Nelson, but is used by other writers as well.[178]

large sausage[edit]

A slang term for a grand slam home run. It is a takeoff from the term "grand salami" which some people use to refer to a grand slam.

laser show[edit]

A batting performance with a high number of base hits, particularly line drives. Also, the nickname of Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia.

late innings[edit]

The seventh, eighth and ninth innings of a regulation nine-inning game.

laugher[edit]

A game in which one team gets a large lead, perhaps early in the game, and it appears the other team has no chance at all of catching up. With nothing to worry about, the manager and team can relax. An easy win; a romp; a blowout.

launch[edit]

  • To hit a long fly ball, as if launching a rocket. "Orso, who recently signed with Alabama Southern to play college baseball next season, launched several rocket shots and by far hit the furthest home runs of anyone in the competition ..."[179]
  • It is also said that a pitcher "launches" the ball when he throws a wild pitch that gets away from the catcher, and that a fielder "launches" the ball when he throws it wildly out-of-reach of the intended receiver.

launch angle[edit]

The angle, with respect to the ground at home plate, at which a batted ball leaves the bat.[180]

launch pad[edit]

A term for a ballpark in which many home runs are hit.

Lawrence Welk[edit]

A (rare) 1-2-3 double play ("... an a one, an a two, an a ...").

lay down[edit]

A player who bunts the ball is said to lay down a bunt. Also see dump.

lay off[edit]

If a batter decides not to swing at a pitch, especially if he deliberately avoids swinging at certain types of pitches, he may be said to "lay off" a pitch. Pitchers tempt hitters to swing at pitches they cannot hit; batters try to lay off such pitches. "Batters can't seem to lay off his slider, just as his parents can't seem to lay off his carrot cake — they're nearly addicted to it."[181]

lead[edit]

  • When a baserunner steps off a base before a pitch is thrown in order to reduce the distance to the next base he takes a lead.
  • The player who is first in the batting order for a given team in any given inning is said to lead off the inning.

leadoff hitter[edit]

  • The first batter listed on a team's lineup card (in the 1-hole or the "leadoff spot" on the line-up card). When the announcers read the starting line-up they might say, "Leading off, and playing short-stop, is Sammy Speedyrunner. Batting second, playing second base, Carlos Contacthitter. Batting third, in the pitcher's spot, is designated hitter Burt "Biggie" Brokenleg. Batting clean-up, playing left field, Thor Thunderbat ..."
  • The first batter in an inning (who could be in any hole on a team's line-up card). If that batter gets a single, or a home run, or a walk, the announcer would say he has a "leadoff single", a "leadoff home run", or a "leadoff walk" respectively.

leaning[edit]

A baserunner is said to be "caught leaning" or "leaning the wrong way" when he is picked off a base while shifting his weight toward the next base.

leather[edit]

  • Referring to a fielder's glove, a player with good leather is a good defensive player (typically an infielder).
  • Flashing the leather means making an outstanding defensive play.
  • A leather player refers to a player who is outstanding on defense but only average or even less on offense. Ron Karkovice is one example of a "leather player".

left-handed bat[edit]

Although baseball bats are symmetrical in shape, and thus there is no such thing as a left-handed baseball bat (or a right-handed baseball bat), in colloquial language a hitter who bats left-handed may be referred to as a "left-handed bat" or "left-hand bat". Headline: "Giants look to acquire left-handed bat".[182]

left-handed hitter[edit]

Also "left-hand hitter". A batter who, paradoxically, bats from the right-side of the plate. Typically, an individual who is left-handed in most activities, including throwing a baseball, stands in the right-hand batter's box, the one closest to first base.

left-handed specialist[edit]

A left-handed relief pitcher specializing in getting one out, often in critical situations. See also LOOGY.

left on base[edit]

A baserunner is said to have been left on base (abbreviated LOB) or stranded when the half-inning ends and he has not scored or been put out. This includes a batter-runner who has hit into a fielder's choice, causing another runner to be put out as the third out.[183] It also includes runners on base at the end of a game, as when the home team scores a winning run in the ninth or a subsequent inning. Thus a batter who hits a single in the home half of the tenth inning in a tied game with the bases loaded drives in one run and leaves three on base (runners who were at first and second, and himself).
  • Team LOB totals are commonly reported in a baseball box score. It counts only those left standing on the bases when the third out of each inning occurs. Team LOB is used in "proving" a box score. The number of a team's plate appearances is to equal the sum of that team's runs, that team's LOB, and the opposing team's putouts. In other words, every batter who completes a plate appearance is accounted for as a run scored, putout, or LOB.
  • Individual LOB totals are sometimes reported in baseball box scores. This is a more recent statistic that is computed for each player who is at bat at least once in a game and is calculated on how many baserunners were "left on base" when the player was at-bat and caused an out, no matter how many outs there were at the time. Note that "at bat" does not include other plate appearances such as sacrifice bunts or flies made by the batter, third outs caused by pickoffs or caught stealing, or games ended with the winning run scoring on a successful steal, etc. Two common misconceptions of the individual LOB are that the individual LOB is the number of times the player was left on base as a baserunner (this is a "runner's LOB" and is not usually recorded), or that the individual LOB applies only when the at-bat player caused the third out. Note that the total of the individual LOBs for all players on a team will usually exceed the team LOB.
  • A related statistic is "left on base in scoring position", which includes only those LOB where the runner was occupying second or third base. Yet another related statistic is "left on base in scoring position with less than two out". The intent of these statistics is to measure the tendency of a team or player to waste opportunities to score.

leg out[edit]

To run hard to get safely on base or to advance a base: "Podsednik legged out an infield hit, stole second and scored when Everett legged out a double."[184]

letter high[edit]

A letter-high pitch is one that crosses the plate at the height of the letters on the batter's chest. Also see at the letters. Equivalent term: "chest high". "Dietrich fouled off a couple of pitches before Porcello put him away with a letter-high fastball at 94."[185]

lift[edit]

To remove a player from the lineup in the middle of a game. "Casey was lifted for a pinch runner."

lights-out[edit]

A pitcher who so dominates the hitters that the game is effectively over once he takes the mound — so they can turn out the lights and go home. The pitcher retires the batters in order without allowing a single run. "Putz pitched lights-out baseball once he took over the job for good from Guardado."[186]

Linda Ronstadt[edit]

A fastball the pitcher delivers with such velocity that the hitter has no time to respond — it "blew by you." A pun on the song title "Blue Bayou," originally recorded in 1961 by Roy Orbison but popularized through Linda Ronstadt's 1977 cover version.[177]

line drive[edit]

  • Also known as a liner, a line drive is a batted ball that is hit hard in the air and has a low arc. See also rope.
  • A line drive may also be said to be "hit on a line".
  • A batter may be said to have "lined out" if the liner was caught by a fielder.
  • Line drives can be dangerous to baseball players and spectators. For example, on July 22, 2007, Tulsa Drillers first base coach Mike Coolbaugh was killed in a line drive accident at an away game with the Arkansas Travelers. Though the ball hit his neck, his death was the impetus for base coaches to start wearing helmets.[187]

lineup[edit]

The batting order, which also lists each player's defensive position. An announcer reading the starting lineup for a game will typically begin something like this: "Batting first, playing second base ..."

lineup card[edit]

A lineup card from a 2001 spring training game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves
A form kept by each manager listing the starting players and all other players who are on the active roster and available to play in the game. Typically this form will be taped to the wall inside the dugout for the manager and coaches to consult when they need to make substitutions during a game. Before the game starts the manager hands a lineup card to the home plate umpire. This lineup will change throughout the game as starting players are removed and substitutes inserted.

live arm[edit]

A strong arm, usually describing a pitcher who has a great deal of velocity on his pitches. "That pitcher has a live arm."

Live Ball Era[edit]

The time since 1919 or 1920 when several rule changes moved teams to adopt offensive strategies that favored power hitting over the inside game that was common in the Dead Ball Era.

live on the corners[edit]

A pitcher who "lives on the corners" throws most of his pitches on the inside or outside edges of home plate. He's not inclined to try to overwhelm the hitter with hard pitches down the center of the plate. Many of his pitches will appear to barely nibble the plate.

lively fastball/life on the ball[edit]

A fastball that seems to be not just fast but also hard to hit because it may have some movement on it or it may appear to speed up as it gets closer to the plate. "'His fastball has got more life to it', Jays catcher Rod Barajas said. 'It's finishing. What I mean by that is the last 10 feet [to home plate], it seems that it picks up speed.' According to Barajas, that has particularly helped Ryan against right-handed hitters. "They end up being late, because that last 10 feet, it seems like it picks up a couple miles per hour," Barajas said.[188]

load the bases[edit]

A succession of plays that results in having runners on all three bases. See also bases loaded or bases full.

LOB[edit]

Abbreviation for left on base.

locate[edit]

A pitcher's command is reflected in his ability to locate the ball — to throw it to an intended spot. A pitcher with "good location" not only has command but makes the right choices about where to throw the ball against particular batters.

lock him up[edit]

  • To sign a player to a long-term contract, thereby keeping him off the free-agent market. "Come on Uncle Drayton, you have to lock this guy up for a few years. He is one of the best in the league and along with Berkman, is the new face of the Astros."[189]
  • To throw a pitch that keeps the hitter from making any effective swing. For example, when a left-handed pitcher throws a roundhouse curve or an inside fastball to a left-handed hitter, the hitter may appear to freeze in place. "We had him 0-2. We were trying to go in with a fastball, hopefully lock him up."[190] Also see "freeze the hitter".

lollipop[edit]

A soft, straight pitch with a lot of arc.

long ball[edit]

A home run. A team is said to "win by the long ball" after a walk-off home run or the team hits several home runs to win. Headline: "Phillies Use the Longball To Take Game 1 from the Dodgers".[191]

long ones[edit]

Home runs. "He ravaged Pacific Coast League pitching for seven more long ones before being recalled by the Reds later the same month."[192]

long out[edit]

A ball that is hit deep into the outfield (and caught) is a "long out".

long reliever[edit]

A type of relief pitcher. Long relievers enter early in a game (generally before the 5th inning) when the starting pitcher cannot continue, whether due to ineffective pitching, lack of endurance, rain delay, or injury.

long strike[edit]

A foul ball which finishes particularly close to being fair, often where a fair ball would have been a home run. So named as despite the good effort of the hitter, the result is a strike against him if the count before the pitch was less than two strikes.

LOOGY[edit]

A mildly derogatory nickname for a left-handed specialist. An acronym for "Lefty One Out GuY", a left-handed pitcher who may be brought into the game to pitch against just one or two left-handed batters to take extreme advantage of platoon effects. An example is Javier Lopez, who was a key component of the Giants' World Series winning bullpen in the 2010s. Starting in 2020, MLB instituted a new rule that any pitcher who enters the game in the middle of an inning must face at least three batters or finish the inning before he can be replaced, unless he is injured. This rule intends to reduce the length of a game by limiting pitching changes, but also reduces the benefit of a LOOGY on the roster, since most of the time he would also have to face a right-handed hitter, who is much more likely to get a hit off him.

look the runner back[edit]

  • When there is a runner on first base, a pitcher who has already gone into the stretch may step off the rubber and either threaten a throw toward first base or just stare at the runner to encourage him to step back toward first. In either case he's said to "look the runner back" to first (rather than throwing over to first in an effort to pick the runner off).
  • When there is a runner on second or third base (but not first) with fewer than two outs, an infielder fielding a sharp ground ball briefly stares at the runner to discourage him from trying to advance. The fielder then throws to first to force out the batter.

looper[edit]

A softly hit Texas leaguer that drops in between the infielders and outfielders. Also blooper. A fielder may make a superior defensive play, however, and turn a looper into an out. "Sacramento's Lloyd Turner ended the fourth with a sprinting, sliding snag of Alvin Colina's looping liner to left that sent the stands into a frenzy."[193]

Lord Charles[edit]

A slang term for a "12-to-6" curveball. Similar to Uncle Charlie.

lose a hitter[edit]

When a pitcher gives up a walk, especially when he gets ahead in the count or has a full count but gives up a walk, he is said to have "lost the hitter".

losing record[edit]

During the regular season, the team lost more games than it won. For a modern Major League team, this means a team lost at least 82 games out of 162 games played in what is called the losing season.

losing streak[edit]

A series of consecutive losses.

loss[edit]

See Win–loss record (pitching).

lost his swing[edit]

See find his swing.

lost the ball in the sun[edit]

When a player attempting to catch a fly ball is temporarily blinded by the glare of the sun in his eyes, he may "lose the flyball in the sun".

loud out[edit]

When a batter hits a long fly ball that is caught in the outfield, perhaps when a crowd reacts loudly thinking it will be a homer, the announcer may say the batter made a "loud out". "Home runs are already overrated. A home run in one park is a loud out in another."[194] "Long, loud out as Garciaparra takes Green to the warning track. But the former Dodger makes the catch easily and we're in the bottom of the third."[195]

lumber[edit]

A baseball bat. Sometimes used in reference to a powerful offensive showing, "The Yankees busted out the lumber tonight with a 10–0 victory." Also timber.



M[edit]

Maddux[edit]

Colloquial term for a game in which the pitcher throws a complete game shutout, on 99 or fewer pitches. Named after Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux, who threw 13 such shutouts in his career.

Magic number[edit]

A number that indicates how close a front-running team is to clinching a division or season title. It represents the total of additional wins by the front-running team or additional losses by the rival team after which it is mathematically impossible for the rival team to capture the title.

magic words[edit]

Specific words directed towards an umpire that are almost certain to cause immediate ejection from the game.

make a statement[edit]

When a player does something to catch the attention or make an impression on the other team, he may be said to "make a statement". Perhaps he makes a spectacular fielding play, hits a home run, slides hard into second base, or throws a brushback pitch. This phrase is also used in other sports when a team seeks to show up or to demonstrate its power against an opponent. "There were a lot of times where we could have given up, but no one gave up. We made a statement here tonight".[196]

make the pitcher work[edit]

When an offensive team tries to make the opposing pitcher throw a lot of pitches and tire them out by working the count, or taking pitches or fouling off pitches, it is said to be making the pitcher work. "We've got a lot of good hitters up and down this lineup, but the key is to make the pitchers work", Laird said. "Tonight we made Saunders work. Then we got to their bullpen and were able to string some key hits together."[197]

make-up call[edit]

When an umpire makes a bad call on a pitch, he may implicitly acknowledge it on a later pitch by making another bad call to "make up" for the first. For example, say an umpire mistakenly calls a strike on a pitch that is out of the strike zone; he may later call a ball on a pitch that is in the strike zone so the hitter gets back what was initially taken away. Umpires typically, and understandably, deny there is any such thing as a "make-up call".

make-up game[edit]

When a game is canceled because of a rainout or some other reason, a make-up game is usually scheduled later in the season. Late in the regular season if the outcome of that game would not affect which teams would reach the play-offs, then the game might not be made up.

manager[edit]

See field manager. Different from the general manager.

manufacturing runs[edit]

Producing runs one at a time, piece by piece, component by component by means of patience at the plate, contact hitting, advancing runners, taking advantage of errors, alert baserunning including stealing a base or advancing on an out or a mistake by a fielder. In other words: small ball.[198]

masher[edit]

A home run hitter. See crush the ball.

matchsticks[edit]

A string of ones on the scoreboard, indicating successive innings in which exactly one run was scored. Also referred to as a picket fence.

meat[edit]

  • On the barrel (fat end) of the bat, but not the very end, is the "meat" of the bat where a hitter tries to make contact with the ball.
  • The "meat (of the order)" is the middle of the lineup, usually the strongest hitters.
  • A rookie, popularized by the baseball movie, Bull Durham; implies more brawn than brain.
  • An easy out, typically evident during a strikeout.
  • A baserunner easily thrown out at a base.
  • Throwing hand, typically meaning a pitcher's. "Glavine started to reach for the ball with his meat hand but then thought better of it."

meatball[edit]

An easy pitch to hit — down the middle of the plate.[199]

Mendoza line[edit]

A batting average of .200. Named (most likely) for Mario Mendoza, a notoriously poor hitter but decent shortstop who managed to have a 9-year major league career from 1974 to 1982 with a life-time batting average of .215.[200]

men in blue[edit]

Little League umpires wearing blue
The umpires.

metal bat swing[edit]

A long swing that does not protect the inside part of the plate. Generally used to describe college players adjusting to professional ball and wooden bats.

middle infielders[edit]

The second baseman and shortstop.

middle innings[edit]

The fourth, fifth and sixth innings of a regulation nine-inning game.

middle of the inning[edit]

The time between the top half and bottom half of an inning when the visiting team takes the field and the home team prepares to bat. No gameplay occurs during this period and television and radio broadcasts typically run advertisements. See also seventh-inning stretch.

middle of the order hitter[edit]

A batter who hits with power, and who thus may be suited to be in the third, fourth, or fifth slot in the batting order. "I think Brett Jackson looks a lot more like a top of the order guy right now than a middle of the order guy, and he seems like a viable leadoff hitter based on his performance as a professional".[citation needed]

middle reliever[edit]

A relief pitcher who is brought in typically during the middle-innings (4, 5, and 6). Since they are typically in the game because the starting pitcher allowed the opponents a lot of runs, the middle reliever is expected to hold down the opponents' scoring for an inning or two in hopes that their own team can close the gap.

midnight[edit]

Used during the early days of racial integration to refer to any African-American player.

miscue[edit]

An error. A word from billiards, when the cue stick slips or just brushes the cue ball thereby leading to a missed shot.[201]

miss some bats[edit]

A pitcher who excels at getting batters to swing but miss is said to "miss some bats". A relief pitcher who is good at missing bats may be brought into a game when the other team already has runners in scoring position.

miss some spots[edit]

A pitcher who does not have good command of their pitches and is not able to throw the ball where they intend to is said to "miss some spots". "Angels Manager Mike Scioscia agreed. 'He missed some spots on a couple of hitters', Scioscia said, 'and they didn't miss their pitches'."[202]

mistake[edit]

  • A "mistake" is poor execution, as distinguished from an error. It could be throwing to the wrong base, missing the cut-off, running into an obvious out, or throwing a pitch into the batter's "hot zone" instead of where the catcher set up for it.
  • There may be such a thing as a mistake hitter (a mediocre hitter who occasionally gets a pitch he can drive), but a "mistake pitcher" does not last long in the big leagues.
  • When asked how the mighty Yankees lost the 1960 World Series, Yogi Berra remarked, "We made too many wrong mistakes."

mitt[edit]

"Mitt" (derived from "mitten") can refer to any type of baseball glove, though the term is officially reserved to describe the catcher's mitt and the first-baseman's mitt. Those mitts (like a mitten) have a slot for the thumb and a single sheath covering all the fingers, rather than the individual finger slots that gloves have. By rule, mitts are allowed to be worn only by the catcher and the first baseman. See the entry on glove.

mix up pitches[edit]

To be successful, most pitchers have to use a variety of pitches, and to mix them up tactically (not randomly) to keep hitters off balance. "Jackson was overwhelming. 'I was just trying to come out and be aggressive and mix my pitches up', he said. 'I've seen them in the past and I know what they can do. You have to mix it up to keep them honest'."[203]

MLB[edit]

Commonly-used abbreviation for Major League Baseball, the organization that operates the two North American major professional baseball leagues, the American League and the National League.

money pitch[edit]

A pitcher's best pitch, or the one he throws at the most critical time. They are said to earn their pay – their money – with that pitch. Headline: "The Outlawed Spitball Was My Money Pitch".[204]

money player[edit]

A man who is good in the clutch. Someone you can count on (or bet on) when it really matters. Sometimes the term used is simply "money", as in "Alex has really been money these last few games".

moneyball[edit]

An often misused term. It refers to Michael Lewis's 2002 book. "Moneyball player" most often refers to one who has a high on-base percentage, and does not steal a lot of bases. However, the essence of the book is about running an organization effectively by identifying inefficiencies and finding undervalued assets in a given market. As an example, the so-called Moneyball teams have shifted their focus to defense and speed instead of OBP which is no longer undervalued. "Moneyball" is often seen as the antithesis of "smallball", where teams take chances on the basepaths in an attempt to "manufacture" runs. In more traditional baseball circles, evoking Moneyball to describe a player or team can be a term of derision.

moonshot[edit]

A home run that is hit very high. When the Brooklyn Dodgers relocated to Los Angeles and played in the L.A. Coliseum, Wally Moon took advantage of the short distance to the left-field fence—251 feet (77 m) from home plate down the left-field line, compared to 440 feet (130 m) to the right-field fence[205]—to hit high home runs.[206][207] The ball had to be hit high in order to clear the 42-foot (13 m) high fence. For comparison, Fenway Park's famous Green Monster is 37 feet (11 m) tall. Dodgers broadcaster Jerry Doggett seems to have coined the phrase in 1959,[208] and the rest of the media picked it up.[206]

mop up[edit]

A mop-up pitcher or "mop-up man" is usually the bullpen's least effective reliever who comes in after the outcome of the game is almost certain. Sometimes other position players also come in to mop up in the last inning in order to gain playing experience as well as give the regulars a rest. "La Russa said Hancock's final outing was typical of a reliever whose role frequently called for mop-up duty."[209]

morning journal[edit]

A bat made from low-quality wood, its effectiveness similar to hitting the ball with a rolled-up morning newspaper.[210]

motor[edit]

  • A player who gets an extra-base hit, or who is on base when a teammate gets one, is sometimes said to "motor" for an additional base – to continue running without hesitation. "This allowed Loehrke to score, and then a miscue by Ranger right fielder Drew Orbergfell allowed Lounsbury to motor to third base".[211]
  • "Pinch runner Brandon Varnell used his blazing speed to motor down the third base line on the fielding error by Memorial reliever Garrett Hill and slide head first into home plate to tie the game at 5-5".[212]

mound[edit]

The pitcher's mound is a raised section in the middle of the diamond where the pitcher stands when throwing the pitch. In Major League Baseball, a regulation mound is 18 feet (5.5 m) in diameter, with the center 59 feet (18 m) from the rear point of home plate, on the line between home plate and second base. The front edge of the pitcher's plate or rubber is 18 inches (46 cm) behind the center of the mound, making it 60 feet 6 inches (18.44 m) from the rear point of home plate. Six inches (15.2 cm) in front of the pitcher's rubber the mound begins to slope downward. The top of the rubber is to be no higher than 10 inches (25 cm) above home plate. From 1903 through 1968 this height limit was set at 15 inches, but was often slightly higher, especially for teams that emphasized pitching, such as the Los Angeles Dodgers, who were reputed to have the highest mound in the majors.

mound visit[edit]

A Lansing Lugnuts mound visit including a pitcher, catcher, pitching coach and infielder
Mound visits occur when the pitching team's coaches, manager or players (most often the catcher) go out to the mound between pitches to consult with the pitcher, generally to discuss strategy. Beginning in 2016, Major League Baseball limited the amount of time allowed for individual mound visits. Beginning in 2018, MLB limited the number of mound visits per team per game.[213]

moundsman[edit]

A pitcher.

movement[edit]

Deviations from the expected flight of a pitch that make the ball harder to hit. Can be used to refer to both fastballs and breaking balls.

mow 'em down[edit]

A pitcher who dominates the opposing hitters, allowing few if any to get on base, is said to have "mowed them down" as if they were just so much hay being cut down by a mower.

muff[edit]

To make an error, typically on an easy play. "He muffed it. The ball went right through his legs."

murderer's row[edit]

Murderers' Row was the nickname given to the New York Yankees of the late 1920s, in particular the 1927 team. The term was actually coined in 1918 by a sportswriter to describe the pre-Babe Ruth lineup, with quality hitters such as Frank "Home Run" Baker and Wally Pipp who led the A.L. in home runs. In subsequent years, any lineup with a series of power hitters who represent a daunting challenge to pitchers might be dubbed by the press as a "murderer's row".

mustard[edit]

Refers to a high amount of velocity on a throw or pitch. A player may be exhorted to "put some (extra) mustard on it", with "it" usually referring to a pitcher's fastball or fielder's throw.

MVP[edit]

Abbreviation for Most Valuable Player. At the end of every season, the Baseball Writers' Association of America chooses an MVP from each Major League. Typically an MVP is also chosen for each major play-off series, the World Series, and the All-Star Game.



N[edit]

NA[edit]

  • (NABBP) - the 1857-1870 first governing body of baseball, the National Association of Base Ball Players
  • (NA) - the 1871-1875 first professional league (in any sport), the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players
  • (NAPBL) - the 1901-to-date trade association of minor leagues, the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues — officially renamed Minor League Baseball in 1999 [15].

nail-biter[edit]

A close game. Nervous fans may be biting their nails.

nailed[edit]

  • Hit by a pitch, drilled, plunked.
  • The last pitches or last play of a winning game nail down the win or put the nails in the coffin of the opposing team.
  • To throw a runner out. "Laureano nailed him at the plate."

nails[edit]

A relief pitcher who is as "tough as nails" or very effective at nailing down a win is sometimes said to be "nails". "As the season has progressed, you can see that he looks forward to that 9th inning and he has been nails lately."[214] "This guy has been nails for us," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said.[215] Phillies and Mets center fielder Lenny Dykstra was known as "Nails" for his all-out style of play.

neighborhood play[edit]

An informal rule that used to apply to double plays. As long as the defensive player covering second base was in the "neighborhood" of second base when he caught the ball and threw it on to first base, the runner would be called out. The rule was designed to compensate for runners who slid into second too hard, making it dangerous for the defensive player. In recent years, umpires have required the defensive player to have a foot actually on second base, not just in the neighborhood, and have penalized runners who slide toward the defensive players too aggressively, so neighborhood plays are rarely seen today.

next batter's box[edit]

The official name of either of the two on-deck circles. Each team has its own circular area, five feet (1.5 m) in diameter, which is designated for unencumbered use by the on-deck batter (the next batter due to bat after the current batter); the on-deck batter may wish to stretch, run in place, or take practice swings immediately prior to taking his turn in the batter's box (which actually is rectangular in shape). Especially during finals and semifinals, each circle is typically painted with the corresponding team logo. The location of the next batter's box is specifically defined in MLB rules, and the most common method to locate it was granted a patent.[216]

nibble[edit]

When a pitcher focuses on pitching just at the left or right edges of home plate rather than throwing a pitch over the heart of the plate where a batter can get the meat of the bat on the ball, he's said to nibble at the edges. Tigers manager Jim Leyland praised Scherzer for his aggressiveness against such a powerful lineup: "The one thing you can't do against the Yankees is get behind in the count. If you do, they'll just sit on pitches and hit a lot of them hard. Max went after them. He understood he couldn't nibble around the edges of the plate, and he did a heckuva job."[217]

nickel curve[edit]

A slider. Also used to mean an average or possibly "hanging" slider. Hitters look at the spin on a ball when it is released by the pitcher, so the "dot" (circle which is created from the pitcher's rotation on the ball that the batter sees to identify a pitch as a slider out of the pitcher's hand) is said to be "nickel sized". Also, it could be used to mean a pitch with more lateral movement (closer to a slurve than to a slider) rather than velocity.

nightcap[edit]

The second game of a doubleheader.

NL or N.L.[edit]

Abbreviation for National League, the older of the two major leagues.

NLCS or N.L.C.S.[edit]

Abbreviation for National League Championship Series: the final, best 4 out of 7, playoff series to determine the National League champion. The winners of the National League Division Series play in this series. The winner of the NLCS is the winner of the National League pennant and advances to the World Series against the pennant winner from the American League.

NLDS or N.L.D.S.[edit]

Abbreviation for National League Division Series: the first round of the league playoffs, to determine which two teams advance to the National League Championship Series (NLCS). This round pits the winners of each of the three league divisions plus the winner of the wild-card slot (the team that wins the most games in the regular season without winning a division) in two pairings, each of which plays a best three out of five series to determine who advances to the NLCS.

no decision[edit]

Any starting pitcher who earns neither a win (W) nor a loss (L) is said to have a "no decision", which has no special meaning in official baseball statistics; however, it has become conventional to note whether he made a quality start.

no-doubter[edit]

A home run whose landing destination in the stands is in no doubt from the moment it leaves the barrel of the bat. A no-doubter will be seen/heard to "leap" off the bat, usually having a launch angle between 20 and 40 degrees and high exit velocity.

no-hitter[edit]

  • A game in which one team does not get any hits, a rare feat for a pitcher, especially at the major league level. Also colloquially called a "no-no". If no batter reaches base safely by any means (walk, error, etc.) the pitcher is said to have pitched a perfect game, which is much rarer than a "normal" no-hitter.
  • It is a superstition that when a pitcher is working on a no-hitter (or perfect game), his teammates stay far away from him (sometimes even a whole bench length) and will not say anything to anyone about the no-hitter. Some play-by-play on-air announcers will also avoid mentioning the no-hitter until either an opposing batter gets a hit or the no-hitter is completed; others however will mention one in progress and are sometimes blamed for jinxing no-hitters.[218]

no man's land[edit]

  • The area of the outfield between the middle infielders and outfielders, where a fly ball can fall for a hit (a Texas leaguer).
  • A baserunner caught in a pickle is said to be in "no man's land".
  • The portion of a ballpark's spectator area, usually the front row of seats, where a fielder may legally reach into to catch a fly ball, while a spectator or other personnel may legally touch same fly ball even if it interferes with the fielder's attempt to catch it. A ball touched by a spectator in this manner is not spectator interference.

no room at the inn[edit]

Sometimes said by a play-by-play announcer when the bases are loaded, i.e., there is no open base. Usually means that intentionally walking and pitching around the batter are poor strategies for the fielding team, as a walk will score a run for the batting team. Also "no place/nowhere to put [the batter]".

no-no[edit]

A no-hitter and a shut-out. Thus no hits, no runs. Headline: "Start of something good: Verlander's no-no may foreshadow future greatness".[219]

northpaw[edit]

A right-handed pitcher. See southpaw.

NRI[edit]

A Non-Roster Invitee (NRI) is a player invited to Spring training who is not yet on a Major League team's 40-man roster. He may be a young prospect, a veteran who has been released from or retired from a previous contract with a team, perhaps someone who left baseball after an injury. If he performs well, he has a chance to be placed on the roster and assigned to a minor league team or even join the major league team.

nubber[edit]

A batted ball that travels slowly and not very far, typically because the ball is hit with the very end of the bat.



O[edit]

obstruction[edit]

When a fielder illegally hinders a baserunner. He does not need to "get out of the way" while he is fielding the ball or actually has it (and can tag).

OBP[edit]

See on-base percentage.

O-fer[edit]

A batter who goes hitless in a game, as in 0 for 4 (spoken as oh fur). Also wears the collar or "takes the collar."

official game[edit]

A game that can be considered complete. If more than half the game has been played before being ended, or "called", by an umpire, it is considered official and all records from the game are computed in the players' and teams' statistics. For a nine-inning game, five innings need to be played, or ​4 12 if the home team is winning. An incomplete game can be either suspended or replayed from the first inning.

official scorer[edit]

The official scorer is a person appointed by the league to record the events on the field and to send this official record to the league offices.[220] The official scorer never goes on the field during a game (but typically watches from the press box). The official scorer's judgments do not affect the progress or outcome of the game but they do affect game and player statistics. For example, only umpires call balls and strikes, whether a batted ball is fair or foul, whether a hit is a home run, and whether runners are safe or out. But it is the official scorer who determines whether a pitch that got by the catcher is a wild pitch or a passed ball, and whether a batted ball is a hit or an error (or a combination of the two); likewise whose errors, put-outs and assists are whose.

off day[edit]

  • A day when a player performs below his normal level, whether due to illness, bad luck, or other factors. "Bonderman had an off-day and didn't have good command of his breaking pitches."
  • A day when a team does not have a game scheduled. During the regular season, Major League Baseball teams almost always have games scheduled on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and they may need to travel between series. Off-days tend to occur on Mondays and Thursdays.

off-speed pitch[edit]

A pitch that is significantly slower than a given pitcher's fastball. Typically, a curveball or a change-up.

off the hook[edit]

When a team that is behind ties the game or takes the lead, the pitcher who would otherwise have been credited with the loss is said to be "off the hook".

off the trademark[edit]

When a player hits the ball off the middle of the bat, where the manufacturer's trademark is usually placed, resulting in a weakly hit ball. Usually the result of a pitcher jamming the hitter.

OFP[edit]

Overall Future Potential (OFP) is a scouting assessment of a young player's potential as a future major leaguer, scored from 20 to 80. The criteria are different for pitchers and position players. See also tools.[citation needed]

ol' number one[edit]

A fastball. From the sign the catcher gives for that pitch.

Olympic rings[edit]

When a batter strikes out five times in a game. This same dubious achievement is also called a platinum sombrero.[citation needed]

on a line[edit]

When an outfielder throws the ball directly to an infielder or the catcher without relaying it or bouncing it, he's said to "throw the ball on a line". Usually used when a strong throw beats the runner and gets him out. "Jack Barry, however, made a running stab to grab the ball and threw on a line to McInnis for an out."[221]

on-base percentage (OBP)[edit]

Percentage of plate appearances where a batter reaches base for any reason other than an error or a fielder's choice.

on deck[edit]

The next batter due to bat after the current batter. The area designated for the on-deck batter is a circle five feet (1.5 m) in diameter, officially called the "next batter's box" and commonly called the "on-deck circle". Ironically, the on-deck batter rarely stands in the on-deck circle.

on his horse[edit]

Running at full speed, especially in reference to an outfielder tracking down a fly ball.

on the black[edit]

  • The edge of home plate, derived from its black border, which is buried if the plate is properly installed.
  • A pitch that just nicks the edge of the zone for a called strike.

on the board[edit]

A team is "on the board" (the scoreboard) when it has scored one or more runs. "After being shut out for six innings, the Sox are finally on the board." White Sox announcer Hawk Harrelson also uses the phrase as part of his home run call: "You can put it on the booooard ... YES!"

on the farm[edit]

When a player is playing in the minor leagues, he is said to be spending time "on the farm". It refers to a team's farm system.

on the interstate[edit]

A player batting between .100 and .199 is said to be "on the interstate". The term refers to the fact that a batting average in the .100s can resemble an interstate name (e.g., .195 looks like I-95, especially on older scoreboards). A hit to put an average above .199 gets a batter "off the interstate." A batter whose average is below .100 is sometimes said to be "off the map". See also Mendoza line. Players in the majors who spend too much time "on the interstate" will most likely be demoted to Triple-A.

on the ropes[edit]

When a pitcher appears to be tired or lost command of his pitches, he may be said to be "on the ropes" and about to be replaced by another pitcher. The term likely derives from the sport of boxing, in which a fighter who is being beaten up or dominated by his opponent may lean against the ropes to keep from falling to the mat.

on the rug[edit]

A player is said to be "on the rug" while playing a ball in the outfield on artificial turf.

on the throw[edit]

  • A defensive attempt to put out a baserunner attempting to reach more bases than the type of hit would typically allow, such as a runner on first attempting to advance to third on a single.
  • Also refers to the successful advance of a baserunner while such a play is being attempted on his teammate. See also: fielder's choice.
  • A batter who safely reaches first base but is tagged out attempting to reach a subsequent base on the same play is credited with a hit for the number of bases he safely reached, but is said to be out on the throw.
  • Example: With Abel on first base, Baker hits a base hit to center field. Abel easily reaches second and tries to advance to third, but the throw from the outfield is in time and he is tagged out by the third baseman. Meanwhile, Baker has safely reached second base. Abel is out at third base on the throw. Baker has a single and advanced to second on the throw. The next batter, Charlie, hits a double to the center field wall, allowing Baker to score from second. Charlie safely rounds first and second base and attempts for third, but the throw from center field is in time and Charlie is tagged out at third base. Charlie is credited with an RBI double, but is out at third base on the throw.

one-game wonder[edit]

A player who appears in just one major league game, plays respectably, and then is either demoted to the bench or back to the minors.

one-hitter[edit]

A game in which one team was limited to one hit, a great feat for a pitcher. Batters may have reached base via walks, errors, or being hit by a pitch. See also no-hitter and perfect game.

one-two-three inning[edit]

Side retired in order. Three up, three down.

opener[edit]

A traditional relief pitcher who starts a game for strategic reasons and is replaced early in the game, usually after the first inning, by a pitcher who is expected to last as many innings as a true starter.[222]

opposite field hit[edit]

A hit to the "opposite" side of the field from the direction of a player's natural swing, i.e., a left-handed batter who hits to left field or a right-handed batter who hits to right field. Also known as going the other way. See pull hitter.

OPS (On-base Plus Slugging)[edit]

A term recently invented by statheads to measure of a batter's ability to produce runs. Obtained by adding slugging average and on-base percentage.

ordinary effort[edit]

Defined in MLB Rule 2 as "the effort that a fielder of average skill at a position in that league or classification of leagues should exhibit on a play, with due consideration given to the condition of the field and weather conditions." A defensive player's ordinary effort is considered by the official scorer in making certain judgment calls, such as hit vs. error or wild pitch vs. passed ball.

out pitch[edit]

The type of pitch that a pitcher relies on to get an out, often his best pitch. Headline: "Angels Notebook: Rodriguez embraces change as out pitch".[223]

outfielder[edit]

An outfielder is a player whose position is either left field, center field, or right field. See position.

outside corner[edit]

The location of a strike that travels over the far edge of home plate from the batter.

overpower the hitter[edit]

To throw a pitch that is so fast the batter cannot catch up to it with his swing. "And eight runs were more than enough offense to back Wolfe, as he continually overpowered hitters with his blazing fastball. Santa Clara hitters just couldn't catch up to it."[224]

overshift[edit]

A baseball vernacular term synonymous with "shift", either an infield or outfield shift. The fielders shift to occupy the areas a particular batter is thought to typically hit.

overthrow[edit]

  • When a fielder throws the ball so high that it sails over the head and out of reach of his target. "Sean Halton struck out, but the catcher couldn't hold onto the pitch, and then overthrew first base, which allowed both Martin and Greene to score."[225]
  • If a thrown ball goes over the head or wide of the infielder and sails off the field of play into the dugout or the stands, the umpire will rule an overthrow and allow the runner to advance one base.
  • A pitcher who throws the ball too hard to control it well is said to be "overthrowing the ball". "Gardenhire said Crain, demoted to Class AAA Rochester earlier this season, is pitching with more confidence and, most importantly, he's not trying to overthrow the ball."[226]



P[edit]

paint[edit]

To throw pitches at the edges of the strike zone. A pitcher who can "paint" consistently may be said to paint the black or paint the corner.

pair of shoes[edit]

A batter who strikes out looking. "He was left standing there like nothing but a pair of shoes."

paper doll cutter[edit]

A hard hit line drive that is hit so “square” and powerfully, that it has little or no spin. (Like a knuckleball) This results in the ball suddenly and sharply cutting left or right as it speeds past defenders. It is said that if such a hit were to strike a defensive player or runner, they would be left “cutting paper dolls” for the rest of their lives.

parachute[edit]

A fly ball, perhaps driven into a strong wind, that appears to drop straight down into the fielder's glove.

park[edit]

To hit (a home run) "out of the park"; reference to the parking lot may be inferred.

park effects[edit]

See hitter's park.

passed ball[edit]

A catcher is charged with a passed ball (abbreviated PB) when he fails to hold or control a legally pitched ball which, in the opinion of the official scorer, should have been held or controlled with ordinary effort, and which permits a runner or runners to advance at least one base; and/or permits the batter to advance to first base, if it's a third strike (with first base unoccupied and/or two outs). A run that scores because of a passed ball is not scored as an earned run. Neither a passed ball nor a wild pitch is charged as an error. It is a separately kept statistic.

paste[edit]

To hit the ball hard. Often used in the past tense: "He pasted the ball."

patient hitter[edit]

Doesn't do a lot of first-pitch swinging, swinging at pitches out of the strike zone, or even swinging at strikes he can't hit because of their location and/or type. Generally gets a lot of walks.

patrol[edit]

  • An outfielder may be said to be "patrolling the outfield" (like a good soldier or police officer patrolling his assigned territory),
  • A catcher who keeps runners from stealing bases is said to be good at "patrolling the basepaths".

payback[edit]

If after the pitcher from one team tries to bean or otherwise hit a batter, the opposing pitcher retaliates by trying to hit a batter from the first pitcher's team, it's a "payback". Such retaliation often happens when it is one of a team's stars who is the initial target; in such a case the opposing pitcher is likely to target the star player on the other team when he gets his first opportunity. Umpires may issue a warning if they think a pitch is intentionally thrown at a batter, and if such an attempt happens again by either team's pitcher, the pitcher is likely to be ejected from the game.

payoff game[edit]

The decisive one in a series, e.g. the third of five (if one team has already won two) or the fifth (if both have won two).

payoff pitch[edit]

A pitch thrown with a full count. The implication is that much effort has gone into reaching this point (this is at least the sixth pitch of the at-bat), and the pitch will either pay off for the pitcher (a strikeout) or the batter (a hit or a walk). However, a foul ball can extend the at-bat. The term is most often used when a hit will score a run and a strikeout will end the inning.

PCL[edit]

A AAA minor league that formerly had "open" classification (between AAA and major league) from 1952 to 1957.

pea[edit]

A pitched ball thrown at high speed. "Clem can really fling that pea."[citation needed]

pearl[edit]

A brand new baseball that has been rubbed down with ball mud, causing the ball to no longer be bright white and instead is a pearl white color.

pearod[edit]

A hard line drive batted back at the pitcher.[citation needed]

PECOTA[edit]

A system for forecasting pitcher and hitter performance developed by Nate Silver of Baseball Prospectus. A player's "PECOTA" may be the forecasted range of his performance on a variety of indicators for the current or future seasons.

peeking[edit]

When the batter tries to see the catcher's signals to the pitcher.

peg[edit]

To throw the ball to one of the bases. "The fielder pegged the ball to first."

pen[edit]

The bullpen.

pennant race[edit]

The competition to win the regular season championship in a baseball league. To win the pennant or flag, a major league baseball team must first win enough of the 162 games in the regular season to reach the playoffs. Then it must win the league division series (LDS) and the league championship series (LCS). See American League Division Series (ALDS), American League Championship Series (ALCS), National League Division Series (NLDS), and National League Championship Series (NLCS).

pepper[edit]

A common pre-game exercise, where one player bunts to a nearby group of fielders; they throw it back as quickly as possible.

percentage points[edit]

If Team A is in first place by less than half a game over Team B, Team B is said to be "within percentage points" of Team A.

perfect game[edit]

A special type of no-hitter where each batter is retired consecutively, allowing no baserunners via walks, errors, or any other means. In short, "27 up, 27 down". A "perfect game" could involve multiple pitchers with one pitcher relieving another, but in the major league they are defined as being thrown by a single pitcher.

perfect inning[edit]

An inning in which a pitcher allows no runners to reach base.

permanently ineligible[edit]

Major League Baseball's designation for someone who is banned from MLB or affiliated minor league clubs, for misconduct. Permanently ineligible players are also ineligible for induction into the Hall of Fame. Banned individuals may be reinstated at the discretion of the Commissioner of Baseball.

PFP[edit]

A commonly used acronym for Pitchers' Fielding Practice. A session in which pitchers practice fielding bunts and other ground balls, throwing to a base, and covering first base and home plate.

phantom ballplayer[edit]

Someone who is incorrectly listed in source materials as playing in a Major League Baseball game, although they did not actually play.

phantom tag[edit]

an erroneous call by an umpire in which a baserunner is ruled as having been tagged out when in fact the fielder never legally tagged the runner.

pick it clean[edit]

To field a sharply hit ground ball without bobbling it.

pick me up[edit]

Having made a mistake or failed an attempt, a player may ask a teammate, "Pick me up." Said in praise by a pitcher, "The guys picked me up with a lot of runs today."

pick up the pitch[edit]

A batter's ability to detect what kind of pitch is being thrown.

picket fence[edit]

A series of 1's on the scoreboard, resembling a picket fence.

pickle[edit]

A rundown.

pickoff[edit]

A quick throw from the pitcher (or sometimes the catcher) to a fielder covering a base when the ball has not been hit into play.

pill[edit]

The baseball.

pimping[edit]

Acting ostentatiously or showboating to gain the attention or approval of the fans. See grandstand play.

pinch hitter[edit]

A substitute batter, brought in during a critical situation ("a pinch").

pinch runner[edit]

A substitute baserunner, brought in during a critical situation ("a pinch").

pine tar[edit]

Pine tar, which is notoriously sticky, improves a batter's grip on the bat. See Pine Tar Incident.

pink hat[edit]

A fan of a team who is perceived to be merely "jumping on the bandwagon" as opposed to a more loyal, knowledgeable fan (of either gender).[citation needed]

pinpoint control[edit]

A pitcher who is able to throw the ball to a precise spot in the strike zone has "pinpoint control". See control pitcher.

pitch[edit]

A baseball delivered by the pitcher from the pitcher's mound to the batter as defined by the Official Rules of Baseball, Rule 2.00 (Pitch) and Rule 8.01.

pitch around[edit]

To repeatedly miss the strike zone hoping the batter will "chase one". Also, deliberately walking him.

pitch count[edit]

How many times a pitcher has thrown thus far (this game).

pitch to[edit]

The opposite of pitching around, i.e. throwing every pitch into the strike zone.

pitch to contact[edit]

A pitcher who doesn't try to strike out batters but instead tries to get them to hit the ball weakly, especially on the ground, is said to pitch to contact.

pitcher[edit]

The fielder responsible for pitching the ball. Prior to 1884, the rules specified that the ball was to be "pitched, not thrown to the bat", i.e. underhand.

pitcher of record[edit]

See win.

pitcher's best friend[edit]

Nickname for a double play.

pitchers' duel[edit]

A very low-scoring game in which both starting pitchers allow few batters to reach base.

pitcher's mound[edit]

The mound, or colloquially the hill or the bump.

pitcher's park[edit]

A park in which pitchers tend to perform better than they perform on average in all other parks; inverse of hitter's park. See park factor.
  • When the wind is blowing "in" at Wrigley Field, it is typically rendered a "pitcher's park", and a low score for one or both teams is not unusual. Under those circumstances, no-hitters also become possible at a park many fans normally think of as a "hitter's park".
  • Because of its large foul area (recently shrunk to add more seating), symmetrical outfield walls, and small "corners" near the foul poles, Dodger Stadium is traditionally known as a pitcher's park, especially at night, when fly balls tend to die more quickly than they do during the day.

pitcher's pitch[edit]

The pitch the pitcher wants hit because he knows it will still most likely result in an out.[227]

pitcher's spot[edit]

In games where the designated hitter rule is not in effect, or in DH rule games where a team has forfeited its DH, this term refers to the pitcher's turn in the batting order; its usage usually implies there is some possibility that the pitcher will not actually take his turn batting and instead will be replaced by a pinch hitter and by rule a relief pitcher.

pitching from behind[edit]

When a pitcher frequently falls behind in the count, he finds himself pitching from behind.

pitchout[edit]

A defensive tactic used to pick off a baserunner, typically employed when the defense thinks a stolen base play is planned. The pitch is thrown outside and the catcher catches it while standing, and can quickly throw to a base.

pivot man[edit]

Generally refers to the second baseman. A second baseman often has to turn or pivot on one foot in order to complete a double play. A short-stop also sometimes pivots to complete such a play.

PL or P.L.[edit]

Abbreviation for Players' League, a one-year (1890) major league.

place hitter[edit]

A batter who has skill in controlling where he hits the ball.

plate[edit]

  • As a noun, plate usually connotes home plate. There is also a pitcher's plate, but it is more commonly referred to as the rubber.
  • As a verb, plate means to score a run. "In the fourth our defense continued to hold and we managed to plate a couple runs in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game at 3."[228]

plate appearance[edit]

Any turn at bat is considered a plate appearance for computing stats such as on-base percentage, and for determining whether a batter has enough of them (minimum 3.1 X number of scheduled games) to qualify for the batting average championship. Plate appearances consist of standard at-bats plus situations where there is no at-bat charged, such as a base on balls or a sacrifice. However, if the batter is standing in the batter's box and the third out is made elsewhere (for example, by a caught-stealing or by an appeal play), then it does not count as an appearance, because that same batter will lead off the next inning.

plate discipline[edit]

A batter shows "plate discipline" by not swinging at pitches that are out of the strike zone, nor at pitches that are in the strike zone but not where he knows he can hit it. Such a batter might be described as a patient hitter.

platinum sombrero[edit]

When a batter strikes out five times in one game. Also called Olympic Rings.

platoon[edit]

  • The practice of assigning two players to the same defensive position during a season, normally to complement a batter who hits well against left-handed pitchers with one who hits well against righties. Individual players may also find themselves marked as a platoon player, based on their hitting against righties vs. against lefties. Casey Stengel brought some attention to the system by using it frequently during his New York Yankees' run of five consecutive World Series champions during 1949–1953.
  • "Platooning" sometimes refers to the in-game strategic replacement of batters in the line-up based on the handedness of a newly inserted relief pitcher, or conversely the strategic insertion of a relief pitcher to face a batter of the same hand. This is the logic behind having a LOOGY on the roster, for example. The LOOGY is to pitching what a pinch-hitter is to batting: put into the line-up for short-term strategic advantage.

platter[edit]

Home plate.

play[edit]

  • Any small sequence of events during a game, never lasting long enough to contain more than one pitch, during which at least one offensive player could advance, or score a run, or tag up, etc., or could be put out. This includes, for example, a pop foul, during which it is possible for the batter to be put out, but advancing is not possible and neither is scoring. This term, "play", is mentioned (appears) in the article about the definition of an error.
  • Where the action is focused at a given time, in particular where a runner is about to reach a base or reach home, and the defense is attempting to get him out. An announcer might declare "There's a play at home", for example, if a runner is attempting to score and the catcher is about to receive a throw and attempt to tag the runner out.
  • Also see in play.

play by the book[edit]

To follow the conventional wisdom in game strategy and player use. For example, when to bunt or when to bring in the closer.

player to be named later[edit]

When two baseball clubs make a trade, part of the publicly announced deal may involve an unspecified "player to be named later" who is not one of the headline players in the deal. In some cases, the PTBNL is simply a financial payment equal to the annual salary of a base-level major league baseball player ($300,000 as of 2007).

players' manager[edit]

A manager who is close to his players and whom the players consider a peer and a friend. The knock on players' managers is that they tend to not be disciplinarians and find it hard to make a tough decision in the team's best interest. Thus the term is not always complimentary, and many managers find they must maintain some aloofness in order to be effective. Joe Torre is often referred to as a player's manager; his approach can be effective with mature players who take their responsibilities seriously. Casey Stengel used to say the secret to managing was "to keep the guys who are neutral about you away from the guys that hate your guts."

playing back[edit]

The usual position depth taken by infielders when they're not anticipating a bunt or setting up for a double play.

playing in[edit]

When the infield is shallower than normal in order to attempt to throw out a runner on third-base on a ground ball. This does not allow the infielders to cover as much ground however, and can turn a routine ground ball into a base hit.

playoffs[edit]

  • All the series played after the end of the 162-game regular season. This includes the American League Division Series, National League Division Series, American League Championship Series, National League Championship Series, and the World Series.
  • Any short set or series of games played after the regular season to determine a division or league champion. Also called the "post-season". Technically speaking, if a one-game playoff is required to determine who wins the regular season or the wild card (and thereby qualifies for the post-season) is counted as part of the regular season.

plunked[edit]

Hit by a pitch.

plus[edit]

The plus sign (+) is an indicator that a starting pitcher began an inning and faced at least one hitter without recording an out. In the box score, the pitcher is said to have pitched x+ innings, where x is the number of innings completed in the game. For example if the starter gives up two walks to lead off the sixth inning and is pulled for a reliever, "5+" innings is recorded in the box score.

plus pitch[edit]

A pitch that is better than above average when compared to the rest of the league. Often the strikeout pitch.

plus plus pitch[edit]

A pitch that is among the best of its type in the league and is essentially unhittable when thrown well. Often a breaking pitch.

plus player[edit]

A player with above-average major league skills. A term from baseball scouting and player evaluation. See tools.

poke[edit]

A hit. Referring to an extra-base hit or home run, a fan or announcer might exclaim, "That was quite a poke." A reporter might record a line drive as "Cameron pokes a shot into left field."[229]

pop[edit]

  • A batter with "pop" has exceptional bat speed and power. "Reggie popped one" implies that Reggie hit a home run. Example in baseball writing: "Ian Kinsler Proves He Has Pop to Center".[230]
  • A pop-up is a batted ball that is hit very high and stays in the infield. Called a pop-foul when it falls or is caught in foul territory. Example: "Rondini popped it foul out of play" implies that Rondini hit a pop-up or pop-foul that went into the stands where a defender couldn't reach it.
  • Brendan C. Boyd and Fred C. Harris, in their impish commentary in The Great American Baseball Card Flipping, Trading and Bubble Gum Book, discussed a player who was known for hitting sky-high popups and said that "he could have played his career in a stovepipe".[231]

portsider[edit]

A left-handed pitcher, so named because "port" refers to the left side of a ship. Synonym: southpaw

position[edit]

  • One of the nine defensive positions on a baseball team, consisting of (in scorekeepers' numerical order): (1) pitcher, (2) catcher, (3) first baseman, (4) second baseman, (5) third baseman, (6) shortstop, (7) left fielder, (8) center fielder, (9) right fielder. Positions 3 through 6 are called infield positions. Positions 7, 8, and 9 are outfield positions. The pitcher and catcher are the battery. For purposes of the infield fly rule the pitcher and catcher are counted as infielders, and such a broader definition of infielders is commonly used, if only to differentiate them from outfielders. Players in positions 2 through 9 — all positions except the pitcher — are position players.
  • A defensive player also positions himself differently — sets up in a different location on the field while playing his position — depending on who is pitching, who is at bat, whether runners are on base, the number of outs, and the score of the game.

position player[edit]

Any defensive player other than the pitcher.

post-season[edit]

The playoffs.

pound the batter inside[edit]

To pitch the ball over the inside of the plate, in on his hands, typically with a fastball.

pound the strike zone[edit]

See attack the strike zone.

powder river[edit]

A fastball with extreme velocity.[citation needed]

power alleys[edit]

Either of the two areas in the outfield between the outfielders, i.e. left-center field and right-center field. The furthest dimensions may not be marked on the wall.

power hitter[edit]

A powerful batter who hits many home runs and extra base hits, but who may not have a high batting average, due to an "all or nothing" hitting approach. Dave Kingman is perhaps the best example of a "all power, low batting average" slugger. See slugger and slugging percentage.

power outage[edit]

When a batter with a high slugging average suddenly appears to have lost that ability, he is "having a power outage".

power pitcher[edit]

A pitcher who relies heavily on his fastball. Control pitchers and contact pitchers rely more on variety and location than velocity.

power stroke[edit]

A hitter with a good power stroke is one who typically gets extra bases.

power surge[edit]

When a batter with a low slugging average suddenly appears to have gained that ability, he is "having a power surge".

pow wow[edit]

A meeting on the mound between a coach and players to discuss strategy. See tea party.

prep[edit]

A prep player is a draft prospect who is still in high school, e.g. "Nationals select prep right-hander Lucas Giolito 16th overall."[232]

pro ball[edit]

Used to refer to both major and minor leagues, especially on trading cards. For example, "Complete Professional Record" would include major and minor league seasons while "Complete Major League Record" would not. (Minor league players consider it an insult if asked when they'll "get to the pros".)

probable pitcher[edit]

A pitcher who is scheduled to start the next game or one of the next few games is often described as a "probable pitcher".

productive out[edit]

When a batter makes an out but advances one or more runners in the process, he has made a productive out. In contrast, a strikeout or other out in which no runners advance is unproductive.

projectable[edit]

A scouting term for a young player with excellent tools who appears likely to develop into a productive or more powerful player in the future.

protested game[edit]

A manager may protest a game if he believes an umpire's decision is in violation of the official rules. An umpire's judgment call (i.e., balls and strikes, safe or out, fair or foul) may not be protested.

pull[edit]

  • To pull the ball is to hit it toward the side of the field usually associated with a full swing: a right-handed hitter pulls it left and a left-handed hitter pulls it right.
  • To pull a hitter is to substitute a pinch hitter.
  • To pull a pitcher is to relieve him. See hook.
  • A pitcher has "pulled the string" (think marionette) if the batter swung where the pitch was going instead of where it went.

Punch and Judy[edit]

A "Punch and Judy hitter" has very little power.

punch out[edit]

A strikeout. Named such because the umpire will typically make a punching-like signal on the third strike, especially if the batter does not swing at the pitch.

purpose pitch[edit]

A brushback, intended to make the batter move away from home plate. A batter targeted by such a pitch is sometimes said to get a close shave. 1950s pitcher Sal Maglie was called "the Barber" due to his frequent use of such pitches. A sportswriting wag once stated that its "purpose" was "to separate the head from the shoulders".

push[edit]

  • A right-handed batter who hits the ball toward right field, ditto left, has "pushed" it.
  • The best situation for a "push bunt" is runners at first and third with one out (or no outs); if successful, the result will be a run scored, a runner on second, and two outs (or one).

put a charge on the ball[edit]

To hit the ball very hard, typically for a home run.

put a hurt[edit]

  • To hit the ball extremely hard.
  • To beat another team, especially by a decisive score.

put away[edit]

  • A fielder who catches a fly ball, or who tags a runner may be said to "put away" his opponent. Similarly, a pitcher may "put away" a batter by striking him out.
  • A team may "put away" its opponent by making a decisive play or out, or by breaking open the game and gaining a substantial lead.



Q[edit]

quality at bat[edit]

An at bat in which the batter is productive, whether that involves advancing a runner with a sacrifice bunt (or even a ground ball out), getting on base, or just making the pitcher throw a lot. Thus a quality at bat is not measured simply by the standard batting statistics such as batting average, on-base percentage, or slugging average. Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer: "Seeing a lot of pitches, fighting bad pitches off – basically, just waiting for a pitch you can handle. Whether you're a power guy, or more of a slap hitter guy, if you find a pitch you're comfortable in handling, that's a quality at-bat. If you get on base or drive a ball up the gap, you pretty much know you had a good plate appearance. But it's mostly about making sure you get your pitch."[233]

quality start[edit]

When a starter pitches at least six complete innings and allows three or fewer earned runs – even in a loss. A pitcher can perform well yet not be involved in the win-loss "decision". This statistic was developed by sportswriter John Lowe to capture an aspect of pitcher performance that is not part of the standard statistics collected by Major League Baseball.[234] It is catching on among baseball players and management, but also has some skeptics. Former Houston Astros manager Jimy Williams was said to hate this statistic. "Quality start?" he would harumph. "Quality means you win."[235]

quick pitch[edit]

An illegal pitch where the ball thrown is before the batter is set in the batter's box. (Official Rules of Baseball, Rule 8.05(e))[236] If there is no one on base, the pitch is called a ball, but if there are any number of runners on base, it is ruled a balk. The ruling of a quick pitch is always up to the umpire.

quiet bats[edit]

When a pitcher prevents the opposing hitters from getting a lot of hits, or big hits, he's said to have "quieted some bats". "Iowa's starting pitcher, Jarred Hippen, was able to quiet the Spartans' bats the rest of the way to seal the victory."[237] Headline: "Miscues, Quiet Bats, Cost D-Backs".[238]

quiet swing[edit]

A batter who holds his head, hands, and bat very still while awaiting the pitch may be said to have a quiet swing. "Hideki Matsui's quiet swing and stance are a big part of the reason why he is able to hit for both power and average."[239]



R[edit]

rabbit ears[edit]

Indicates a participant in the game who hears things perhaps too well for his own good. A player who becomes nervous or chokes when opposing players or fans yell at or razz him is said to have rabbit ears. Also, an umpire who picks up on every complaint hurled at him from the dugouts is described this way.

rag arm[edit]

A player, typically a pitcher, with a weak arm. "I hope the Cardinals did not give up an actual Major League player for this rag-arm home-run machine."

railroad[edit]

To run into and knock over the catcher when running home from third base, or to run into a first-baseman when running from home to first. In either case, neither the catcher nor the first baseman may be able to duck out of the way because he must play the ball and stay in position in order to make an out.[240]

rain delay[edit]

Rain delay refers to situations when a game starts late due to rain or is temporarily suspended due to rain. A game that is suspended after it has begun may be resumed either the same day or at a later date. A game that never begins, or that is canceled after it begins, due to rain is a rainout and in most cases will be rescheduled for a later date – a make-up date. In the event of a non-tie game past the 5th inning with heavy inclement weather, the game may be called with the winner being the team that was ahead at the end of the last completed inning (except during the MLB postseason).

rainbow[edit]

A curveball with a high arc in its path to the plate.

rainout[edit]

A rainout refers to a game that is canceled or stopped in progress due to rain. Generally, Major League Baseball teams will continue play in light to moderate rain but will suspend play if it is raining heavily or if there is standing water on the field. Games can also be delayed or canceled for other forms of inclement weather, or if the field is found to be unfit for play. If a game is rained out before play begins, a make-up game is rescheduled for a later date. If a game is called after play begins but before 4½ innings have been completed (if the home team is ahead) or five innings have been completed (if the visitors are ahead or the game is tied), the game is not an official game. The umpire declares "No Game", the game is played in its entirety at a later date, and statistics compiled during the game are not counted. Games that are stopped after they become official games count in the standings (unless the game is tied, in which case it is replayed from the beginning), and statistics compiled during the game are counted. In the MLB postseason, however, games that are called before ​4 12 innings have been completed are treated as suspended games, and fans are usually given a rain check to attend another game.

rake[edit]

To hit the ball really hard, and all over the park. When you're raking, you're hitting very well. "Mike Gosling allowed one run on five hits over ​6 13 innings and Alex Terry raked Pawtucket pitching for 14 hits as the Bats defeated the Red Sox, 7-1, in an International League game Wednesday."[241]

rally[edit]

To come back from a deficit. This typically occurs in the final innings of a game.

rally cap[edit]

A cap worn backwards, sideways, or inside-out by fans or players to bring a rally. Said to have originated by fans of the New York Mets during the 1985 baseball season, when the Mets captured several dramatic come-from-behind victories, and spread to the players themselves some time during the 1986 season. It rose to national awareness during the 1986 World Series. The Mets were down three games to two and losing the deciding game to the Red Sox, when in the seventh inning, television cameras showed some of the New York Mets players in the dugout wearing their caps inside-out. The team rallied to win the game and the series.

range[edit]

A fielder's ability to move from his position to field a ball in play.

RBI[edit]

  • An RBI or "run batted in" is a run scored as a result of a hit; a bases-filled walk or hit-by-pitch or awarding of first base due to interference; a sacrifice; or a single-out fielder's choice (not a double play).
  • Official credit to a batter for driving in a run.

RBI situation[edit]

Runners in scoring position.

receiver[edit]

Another term for catcher. Also backstop, signal caller.

regular season[edit]

  • The 162-game schedule that all Major League Baseball teams usually complete. However, if a special one-game playoff is required to determine which team goes to the league division championship series (the ALDS or the NLDS), this 163rd game is also counted as part of the regular season. All team and player statistics from this game are also counted as regular season statistics. For example, if a pitcher wins his 20th game in the 163rd game played in the one-game playoff, he would be a "20 game winner" for the season. Similarly, a batter's performance in that extra game might determine whether he wins the title for best batting average or most home runs in the season.
  • On occasion, teams do not complete every game of the regular season, as when playing a make-up game and the outcome of that game could not possibly help either team reach the playoffs.

regulation game[edit]

A standard baseball game lasts nine innings, although some leagues (such as high school baseball) use seven-inning games. The team with the most runs at the end of the game wins. If the home team is ahead after eight-and-a-half innings have been played, it is declared the winner, and the last half-inning is not played. If the home team is trailing or tied in the last inning and they score to take the lead, the game ends as soon as the winning run touches home plate; however, if the last batter hits a home run to win the game, he and any runners on base are all permitted to score.
If both teams have scored the same number of runs at the end of a regular-length game, a tie is avoided by the addition of extra innings.[242] As many innings as necessary are played until one team has the lead at the end of an inning. Thus, the home team always has a chance to respond if the visiting team scores in the top half of the inning; this gives the home team a small tactical advantage. In theory, a baseball game could go on forever; in practice, however, they eventually end (although see Longest professional baseball game).

rehab assignment[edit]

When a Major League player recovering from injury or illness plays a short stint with one of the team's minor-league affiliates before coming off the disabled list. The particular affiliate may be chosen based on its proximity to the club's home town rather than the level of play. A rehab assignment does not carry the same stigma as being sent down to the minors for poor performance.

relay[edit]

A defensive technique where the ball is thrown by an outfielder to an infielder who then throws to the final target. This is done because accurate throws are more difficult over long distances and the ball loses a considerable amount of speed the farther it must be thrown. Also cut-off. Also the second throw during a double play. As in "They were only able to get the lead runner because the relay was not in time."

relief pitcher[edit]

A relief pitcher or reliever is a pitcher brought in the game as a substitute for (i.e., "to relieve") another pitcher.

reliever[edit]

A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, ejection from the game or fatigue.

replacement-level player[edit]

A player of common skills available for minimum cost to a major league baseball team. A team of replacement-level players would be expected to win a baseline minimum number of games, typically 40-50, per 162 game season.

replacement player[edit]

A player who is not a member of the Major League Baseball Players Association but plays during strikes or lockouts.

restricted list[edit]

A roster designation for players who are not available because of the player's own doing, e.g. declining to play or getting arrested, which allows a team to remove a player from both their active roster and their payroll indefinitely while retaining their rights to the player.[243][244]

retire the batter[edit]

To get the batter out.

retire the runner[edit]

To throw the runner out at a base.

retire the side[edit]

See side retired.

rhubarb[edit]

An argument or fight in a baseball game. Hence, Rhubarb, a novel by H. Allen Smith. The term was popularized by famed baseball broadcaster Red Barber.

ribbie, ribeye[edit]

Slang for a run batted in (RBI).

rifle[edit]

  • A very strong arm. A cannon, a bazooka, a gun. Also used as a verb, "He rifled the ball home to catch the runner."
  • A batter can also be said to rifle a ball when he hits a hard line drive. "Griffey rifles the ball ... foul, just outside first base."

right-handed bat[edit]

A baseball bat is symmetrical, thus there is no such thing as a right-handed or left-handed one. A player who bats right-handed may be referred to as a "right-handed bat" or "right-hand bat". Headline: "Can That Right Handed Bat Play Third Base?"[245]

right-handed hitter[edit]

Also "right-hand hitter". A batter who, paradoxically, bats from the left-side of home plate.

ring him up[edit]

A strikeout. The phrase is drawn by analogy from cashiers, and from the "cha-ching" motion of a plate umpire. "Outside corner, ring him up, strike three called!"

rip[edit]

  • To hit a hard line drive, as in "He ripped a single through the right side."
  • A hard swing that misses the ball: "Reyes took a good rip at that pitch."

RISP[edit]

Acronym for Runners In Scoring Position. See Runner In Scoring Position.

RLSP[edit]

Acronym for Runners Left in Scoring Position, typically seen in the box score of a game. This is the sum of the number of runners left occupying second and third bases (scoring position) when the batting side has been retired.

road game[edit]

A game played away from a baseball club's home stadium. When a team plays away from home, it's on a "road trip" and is the "visiting team" at the home stadium of another team.

road trip[edit]

A series of road games or away games occurs on a road trip, a term derived from the days when teams indeed traveled from one town to another by roadway or railroad.

robbed[edit]

  • When a fielder makes a spectacular play that denies a hit or a home run, the batter may be said to have "been robbed" by him. Headline: "A-Rod robbed of HR, Joba will join rotation".[246]
  • If an umpire has made a questionable call, the losing team or fans may complain they "were robbed". "Braves Robbed of a Win ... was Beltran Out at 3rd in the 9th?"[247]

rocking chair[edit]

The position occupied by the third base umpire, likely because the third base umpire does not generally have to make as many calls as the other umpires. For example, "Jim Joyce is in the rocking chair at third base."[citation needed]

ROOGY[edit]

A slightly derogatory acronym for a right-handed relief specialist. "Righty One Out GuY".

rookie[edit]

Conventionally, rookie is a term for athletes in their first year of play in their sport. In Major League Baseball, special rules apply for eligibility for the Rookie of the Year award in each league. To be eligible, a player must have accumulated:
  • Fewer than 130 at bats (for hitters) and 50 innings (for pitchers) during the MLB regular season, or
  • Fewer than 45 days on the active rosters of MLB clubs (excluding time on the disabled list or any time after rosters are expanded on September 1).

roll a pair[edit]

Reference to someone's saying the next play will be a double play. Also, "roll it".

room service[edit]

A ball hit directly to a fielder such that he hardly has to move to get it, or a pitch that is easy to hit.[248]

rooster tail[edit]

A ball rolling on wet grass, kicking up water behind it.[citation needed]

rope[edit]

A hard line drive. Also see frozen rope. Sometimes used as a verb, "He roped one up the middle."

roster[edit]

The official list of players who are eligible to play in a given game and to be included on the lineup card for that game. Major League Baseball limits the regular-season active roster to 25 players during most of the season, but additional players may be on the disabled list, and the roster can be expanded to as many as 40 active players after August 31st by bringing up players on the 40-man roster.

rotation[edit]

A starting pitcher in professional baseball usually rests three or four days after pitching a game before pitching another. Therefore, most professional baseball teams have four or five starting pitchers on their roster. These pitchers, and the sequence in which they pitch, are known as "the rotation" or "starting rotation". In modern baseball, a five-man rotation is most common.
Often a manager identifies pitchers by their order in the rotation, "number 1", "number 2", etc. "Discussions over whether Jason Schmidt or Brad Penny is more deserving to occupy the No. 2 spot in the starting rotation behind Derek Lowe can cease, as least temporarily."[249]

roughed up[edit]

An offense has "roughed up" the opposing pitcher when it hits his pitches hard and scores several runs. Headline: "Hill Roughed Up in Loss to Pirates."[250]

roundhouse curveball[edit]

A curveball that instead of breaking sharply makes a more gradual loop. "One Boston writer in the late-'40s summed up Joe Dobson's roundhouse curveball this way: 'It started out somewhere around the dugout and would end up clipping the outside corner of the plate. There are curveballs, and there are curveballs.'"[251]

round-tripper[edit]

A home run. The analogy is to a commuter who buys a round-trip ticket from home plate to second base and back.

rubber[edit]

The rubber, formally the pitching plate, is a white rubber strip the front of which is exactly sixty feet six inches (18.4 m) from the rear point of home plate. A pitcher will push off the rubber with his foot in order to gain velocity toward home plate when pitching.

rubber arm[edit]

A pitcher is said to have a "rubber arm" if he can throw many pitches without tiring. Relief pitchers who have the ability to pitch consecutive days with the same effectiveness tend to be known as "rubber arms". Examples of these include Justin Verlander and Aroldis Chapman.

rubber game[edit]

A term used for the last game of a series or match when the two teams have evenly split the previous games. See also rubber bridge / best-of-three playoff. Another Name for a pitchers Duel.

run[edit]

  • A player who advances around all the bases to score is credited with a run; the team with the most runs wins the game.
  • A manager "runs his players" when he calls on them to steal bases and to be generally aggressive in trying to advance extra bases when the ball is in play.
  • A player or coach may be "run" by an umpire by being ejected from a game.

run on contact[edit]

See contact play.

rundown[edit]

A play in which a runner is stranded between two bases, and runs back and forth to try to avoid fielders with the ball. The fielders (usually basemen) toss the ball back and forth, to prevent the runner from getting to a base, and typically close in on him and tag him. Also called a hotbox or a pickle. Sometimes used as a baserunning strategy by a trailing runner, to distract the fielders and allow a leading runner to advance.

rung up[edit]

Being ejected from the game. Also, slang for having struck out looking.

runners at the corners[edit]

runners on 1st and 3rd, with 2nd base open.

runners in scoring position[edit]

Runners on 2nd or 3rd base are said to be in scoring position, i.e., a typical base hit should allow them to reach home. Batting average with runners in scoring position (RISP) is used as an approximation of clutch hitting. Game announcers are apt to put up and comment on the latter statistic during a broadcast to set the stage for an at bat.

Ruthian[edit]

Having the qualities of Babe Ruth, typically describing the flight of a long home run.



S[edit]

sabermetrics[edit]

Sabermetrics is the analysis of baseball through objective evidence, especially baseball statistics. The term is derived from the SABR – the Society for American Baseball Research. The term was coined by Bill James, an enthusiastic proponent and its most notable figure.

sack[edit]

  • Synonymous with bag — 1st, 2nd, or 3rd base.
  • A player who plays a particular base might be called a sacker. Most often this is the second sacker (second baseman). Together the second sacker and the short-stop may be referred to as sackmates because they often coordinate or share the coverage or play at second base. See double play.

sacrifice bunt[edit]

A sacrifice bunt (also called a sacrifice hit or simply a "sacrifice") is the act of deliberately bunting the ball in a manner that allows a runner on base to advance to another base, while the batter is himself put out. If the sacrifice is successful, the batter is not charged with an at bat (AB). But he is credited with an SAC or S or SH.

sacrifice fly[edit]

When a batter hits a fly ball to the outfield which is caught for an out, but a runner scores from 3rd base after tagging up or touching the bag following the catch. The batter is credited with an RBI and is not charged with an at bat. Also referred to as "sac fly", abbreviated as SF.

safety[edit]

A base hit or "base knock". Getting "safely on (first) base" after hitting the ball without the interposition of a fielding error.

safety squeeze[edit]

A squeeze play in which the runner on third waits for the batter to lay down a successful bunt before breaking for home. Contrast this with the suicide squeeze.

salad[edit]

An easily handled pitch.

salami[edit]

A grand slam.

Sally League[edit]

The South Atlantic League ("SAL"), a Class A minor baseball league with teams located mainly in the southeastern United States.

sandwich round[edit]

A round of drafts that occurs between the first and second rounds, and again between the second and the third, comprising solely compensatory drafts granted to teams that failed to sign their first or second round draft picks of the year before.

save[edit]

In baseball statistics, save (abbreviated SV, or sometimes, S) is the successful maintenance of a lead by a relief pitcher, usually the closer, until the end of the game. A save is credited to a pitcher who fulfills the following three conditions:
  1. The pitcher is the last pitcher in a game won by his team;
  2. The pitcher is not the winning pitcher (For instance, if a starting pitcher throws a complete game win or, alternatively, if the pitcher gets a blown save and then his team scores a winning run while he is the pitcher of record, sometimes known as a "vulture win".);
  3. The pitcher fulfills at least one of the following three conditions:
    1. He comes into the game with a lead of no more than three runs.
    2. He comes into the game with the potential tying run being either on base, at bat, or on deck.
    3. He pitches effectively for at least three innings after entering the game with a lead and finishes the game.
  • If the pitcher surrenders the lead at any point, he cannot get a save, even if his team comes back to win. No more than one save may be credited in each game.
  • If a relief pitcher satisfies all the criteria for a save, except he does not finish the game, he will often be credited with a hold.
  • The third rule can be contentious, as it is subject to the judgment of the official scorer.
  • The last criterion in that rule can lead to ludicrous results. On August 22, 2007, the Texas Rangers beat the Baltimore Orioles by a score of 30 to 3. The winning pitcher, Kason Gabbard, pitched six innings, and left the game with a 14-3 lead. The Rangers' relief pitcher, Wes Littleton, pitched three scoreless innings, while his team went on to score another 16 runs, including six runs in the 9th inning. In return for protecting his team's lead for the last three innings, Littleton was awarded a "save".[252]
  • Generally, a save situation is when a pitcher enters the game in the seventh inning or later with a lead of three runs or fewer, or with the potential tying run in the on-deck circle. Most of the time, the saving pitcher pitches one or more innings. Also called a save opportunity.

saw off[edit]

When a pitcher gets a batter to hit the ball on the handle, and the batter hits the ball weakly or even breaks his bat, the pitcher may be said to have sawed off the bat. "If the bat handles are getting "sawed off" in players' hands or shattering into splinters, it's because players are ordering bats too thin to withstand the impact of a 90 mile-per-hour fast ball."[253]

scoring position[edit]

A runner on 2nd or 3rd base is in scoring position, as he is presumed to have a good chance to score on a base hit to the outfield.

scratch hit[edit]

A weakly hit ground ball that eludes the infielders and leads to a base hit. A bleeder.

screaming line drive[edit]

Also a screamer. A line drive that is hit extremely hard, perhaps hard enough to knock the glove out of the hand of a fielder or to be so hard that the pitcher cannot get out of the way before he is hit by the ball. "I distinctly remember watching the game where Jon Matlack was hit in the head by a screaming line drive off the bat of Marty Perez and it bounced off his head. I also remember watching the night Cal Ripken hit a screamer right into Andy Pettitte's mouth. Both were a nauseating sight but this one must have been much worse. Baseball can be a dangerous game for the players and also the spectators."[254]

screwball[edit]

A pitch that curves to the same side as the side from which it was thrown. For a right-hand pitcher, the ball would break to the pitcher's right — it would break "in" to a right-hand hitter. SYNONYMS: reverse curve, fadeaway, fader, screwgie, scroogie, reverse curveball.

seal the win[edit]

To finish off the opposing team and end the game. "Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon nearly blew the game with a walk and an error, so he had plenty to celebrate when he then whiffed the dangerous Tampa Bay trio of Carlos Peña, B. J. Upton and Carl Crawford to seal the win".[255] See also nailed and shuts the door.

seamer[edit]

  • two-seamer – a "two seam fastball" where the ball is held by the pitcher such that, when thrown, its rotation shows only two seams per revolution
  • four-seamer – like a two-seamer, but the rotation shows four seams per revolution.

season[edit]

The period from the first to the last scheduled game of a year. Typically, the major league baseball season runs from about April 1 until the end of October, including the "regular season" 162 games that each team plays and the play-offs, including the World Series. Baseball team and player records are also kept on a "seasonal" basis. "Sandy Koufax ended his career with four of the best seasons in history".[256]
The post-season, including divisional and league series plus the World Series, is sometimes called the "Second Season."

seasoning[edit]

The time-period when a struggling major-league player is temporarily sent down to the minors (most likely AAA) in the hope that the player can improve his skills enough to return to the major-league club. This can also refer more broadly to the time that a team keeps a young up-and-coming player in the minor-leagues, so as to give the player time to continue to develop their skills, before they are brought up to the major leagues.

seed[edit]

Any hit that is hit so hard it barely has an arc on it. See rip. Also refers to any thrown ball with the same characteristic, typically in the infield.

seeing-eye ball[edit]

A batted ground ball that just eludes capture by an infielder, just out of infielder's range, as if it could "see" where it needed to go. Less commonly used for a ball that takes an unusual lateral bounce to elude an infielder. Sometimes called a seeing-eye single. See ground ball with eyes.

send a runner[edit]

If a coach signals for a runner to attempt to steal a base, he is "sending" a runner. Similarly, a third-base coach who signals to a runner who is approaching third base that he should turn toward home plate and attempt to score, the coach is "sending" the runner home.[257]

senior circuit[edit]

The National League, so-called because it is the older of the two major leagues, founded in 1876. As opposed to the Junior Circuit, the American League, which was founded in 1901.

sent down[edit]

A major league player may be sent down or demoted to a minor league team either before or during the season. When this occurs during the season, another player is usually called up or promoted from the minor leagues or placed on the active roster after being removed from the disabled list.

sent to the showers[edit]

When a pitcher is removed from the lineup, he is sometimes said to be "sent to the showers" because his work for the day is done. Theoretically it is possible for him to be removed as pitcher and kept in the lineup as a designated hitter or even as a position player. But this is a very rare occurrence in the professional game, and is more frequent in the amateur game, especially in NCAA competition.

series[edit]

  • A set of games between two teams. During the regular season, teams typically play 3- or 4-game series against one another, with all the games in each series played in the same park. The set of all games played between two teams during the regular season is referred to as the season series. For games played between teams in a single league, the regular season series includes an equal number of games in the home parks of each team. Its purpose is to minimize travel costs and disruptions in the very long major league baseball season.
  • In the playoffs, series involve games played in the home stadiums of both teams. Teams hope to gain from having a home field advantage by playing the first game(s) in their own ballpark.

serve[edit]

To throw a pitch that gets hit hard, typically for a home run (as if the pitcher had intentionally "served up" an easy one).

set position[edit]

The posture a pitcher takes immediately before pitching. His hands are together in front of him and he is holding the ball in his pitching hand. His rear foot is on the rubber.

set the table[edit]

To get runners on base ahead of the power hitters in the lineup.

setup pitcher[edit]

A relief pitcher who is consistently used immediately before the closer.

seventh-inning stretch [edit]

The period between the top and bottom of the seventh inning, when the fans present traditionally stand up to stretch their legs. A sing-along of the song "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" has become part of this tradition, a practice most associated with Chicago broadcaster Harry Caray. Since the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States, "God Bless America" is sometimes played in addition to, or in lieu of, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the attacks, especially at home games of the New York Yankees and New York Mets. This occurs on Opening Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, September 11th, Sundays and during the All-Star Game, and post-season including the World Series. In Milwaukee, fans often sing "Roll Out the Barrel" after the traditional song, while Boston fans sing "Sweet Caroline" and Baltimore fans sing along to "Thank God I'm a Country Boy". At Kaufmann Stadium, Royals fans sing "Friends in Low Places". "OK Blue Jays" is sung at Toronto Blue Jays home games.

shade[edit]

A player (usually an outfielder) who positions himself slightly away from his normal spot in the field based on a prediction of where the batter might hit the ball he is said to "shade" toward right or left.

shag[edit]

Catching fly balls in the outfield when not involved in actual baseball games. "While the other pitchers looked bored just shagging flies, he was busting a few dance moves to the music coming over the loudspeakers."[258]

shake off[edit]

  • A player, typically a pitcher, who has a bad game or series, may be said to be trying to shake off the experience and regain his usual performance level. Detroit News headline: "Miner Tries to Shake Off Poor Start".
  • A pitcher who disagrees with the catcher's call for the next pitch may shake off the sign by shaking his head "no", thereby telling the catcher to call for a different pitch. If the pitcher shakes off several signs in a row, the catcher may call time out and walk to the mound to talk to the pitcher.

shell[edit]

A pitcher who is giving up numerous hits, especially extra-base hits, is said to be getting shelled – as if under siege by enemy artillery.

shift[edit]

Where all infielders and/or outfielders position themselves clockwise or counter-clockwise from their usual position. This is to anticipate a batted ball from a batter who tends to hit to one side of the field. Also shade. In the case of some batters, especially with left-handed batters and the bases empty, managers have been known to shift fielders from the left side to the right side of the diamond. The most extreme case was the famous "Ted Williams shift" (also once called the "Lou Boudreau shift"). Cleveland Indians manager Boudreau moved six of seven fielders (including himself, the shortstop) to the right of second base, leaving just the leftfielder playing shallow, and daring Teddy Ballgame to single to left rather than trying to "hit it where they ain't" somewhere on the right side. Williams saw it as a challenge, a game within The Game, and seldom hit the ball to left on purpose in that circumstance.

shine ball[edit]

One way for a pitcher to doctor the ball is to rub one area of the ball hard to affect the ball's flight toward the plate.

shoestring catch[edit]

When a fielder, usually an outfielder, catches a ball just before it hits the ground ("off his shoetops"), and remains running while doing so.

short hop[edit]

A ball that bounces immediately in front of an infielder. If the batter is a fast runner, an infielder may intentionally "short hop the ball" (take the ball on the short hop) to hasten his throw to first base. Balls may be short-hopped to turn a double play, but it may backfire sometimes. For example, Carlos Guillén had a ground ball that bounced to him, and he short hopped it, however, it went off his glove and went high in the air.

short porch[edit]

When one of the outfield walls is closer to home plate than normal, the stadium may be said to have a short porch. For example, Yankee Stadium has long had a short porch in right field.

short rest[edit]

When a pitcher starts games with just a three- or four-day break, instead of the typical five between starts, he is said to have had a short rest. "The big story Tuesday night, by a long shot, was Dallas Keuchel pitching six shutout innings. In the Bronx. On short rest".[259]

shorten his swing[edit]

See "cut down on his swing".

shorten the game[edit]

A team that has a strong staff of relief pitchers is sometimes said to have the ability to shorten games: "The Tigers will be fearsome postseason opponents because of their bullpen's ability to shorten games."[260] If the team gets ahead in the first six innings, its bullpen can be counted on to hold the lead; thus the opponent needs to grab an early lead to still have a chance in the last few innings to win the game.

shot[edit]

  • A home run, as in "Ryan Howard's 2-run shot gives him 39 home runs for the year."

the show[edit]

The major leagues. Particularly "in the Show". Or in "the Bigs" (big leagues, major leagues).

show bunt[edit]

When a batter changes his stance so that he appears ready to bunt the ball, he's said to "show bunt". Sometimes this move is intended to make the infielders creep in toward home plate, but the hitter swings away instead. And sometimes it's intended to cause the pitcher to change his pitch. See also butcher boy.

show me[edit]

An easy-to-hit ball thrown by a pitcher to a batter who has fouled off many balls in that particular at-bat, so risking an excessive pitch count. While the likelihood of an extra-base hit is high, there is also a chance that the batter will strike out or put the ball in play where it can be fielded. Either way, a show-me pitch usually finishes the at-bat quickly.

shutout[edit]

According to the Dickson dictionary, the term derives from horseracing, in which a bettor arrives at the window too late to place a bet, due to the race already having started, so the bettor is said to be "shut out" (this specific usage was referenced in the film The Sting).
  • A team shuts out its opponent when it prevents them from scoring any runs in a given game.
  • "Santana shut out the Royals with a 3-hitter" means that the Royals went scoreless as Santana pitched a complete-game shutout. The pitcher or pitchers on the winning team thus get statistical credit for an individual shutout or a combined-to-pitch-shutout, respectively.

shuts the door[edit]

When a pitcher, generally the closer, finishes the ballgame with a save or makes the last out (or fails to do so): "No one from the Brandeis bullpen was able to shut the door in the top of the ninth in Tuesday's game."[261] Also used more generally to refer to a victory: "Thomas, Halladay slam door shut on Dodgers."[262]

side retired[edit]

When the third out of an inning is called, the "side is retired" and the other team takes its turn at bat. A pitcher or a defensive team can be said to have "retired the side". The goal of any pitcher is to face just three batters and make three outs: to "retire the side in order", have a "one-two-three inning", or have "three up, three down".

sidearmer[edit]

A pitcher who throws with a sidearm motion, i.e., not a standard overhanded delivery.

sign[edit]

Non-verbal gestures used by catchers and coaches to communicate team strategy:
  • A catcher is said to call the game by sending signs to the pitcher calling for a particular pitch. After he moves into his crouch, the catcher gives the sign by placing his non-glove hand between his legs and using his fist, fingers, wags, or taps against his inner thigh to tell the pitcher what type of pitch to throw (fastball, curve, etc.) as well as the location. A pitcher may shake off (shake his head "no" to) the initial sign or nod in agreement when he receives the sign that he wants before going into his windup. If there is a runner on second base, a catcher may change the location of his glove (from his knee to the ground, for example) to signal the pitcher that he is using an alternate set of signs so that the runner won't be able to steal the sign.
  • A coach sends signs to players on the field, typically using a sequence of hand movements. He may send signs to offensive players, including batters and runners, about what to do on the next pitch — for example, to sacrifice bunt, to take or to swing away at the next pitch; to steal a base; or to execute a hit-and-run. He may send signs to the catcher to call for a pitchout or to intentionally walk the batter.

single[edit]

A one-base hit.

sinker[edit]

A pitch, typically a fastball, that breaks sharply downward as it crosses the plate. Also see drop ball.

sitting on a pitch[edit]

A batter who is waiting for a particular type of pitch before swinging at it. He may be sitting in wait for, say, a curveball or a change-up, or a pitch thrown in a certain location, and he won't swing at anything else even if it's down the middle of the plate. Sometimes hitters who know a pitcher's pattern of pitches, or what type of pitch he likes to throw in a given count, sit on that particular pitch. This approach stems from the advice Rogers Hornsby gave to Ted Williams, telling him that the secret to hitting was simply to "wait for a good pitch to hit".

situational hitting[edit]

When a batter changes his strategy depending on the game situation: the inning, number of outs, number of men on base, or the score. He may not swing for the fences or even try to get a base hit, but instead make a sacrifice bunt or try to get a sacrifice fly or make contact with the ball in some other way.

skids[edit]

A team that is on the skids is having a losing streak, perhaps a severe one that threatens to ruin their chances at the playoffs or to drop them into the cellar. Headline: "Yankees Remain on the Skids".[263] Also used in the singular, skid, for a losing streak or hitless streak: "Peralta's single in the fourth ended an 0-for-26 skid."[264]

skip[edit]

A manager. Taken from the boating term skipper, the captain or commanding officer of a ship.

sky[edit]

Used as a verb: to hit a fly ball. "Sizemore skies one. . . .Caught by the right fielder."

skyscraper[edit]

A very high fly ball. Sometimes referred to as a "rainmaker" because it is so high it may touch the clouds.

slap hitter[edit]

A hitter who sacrifices power for batting average, trying to make contact with the ball and "hit it where they ain't". Prime examples: Willie Keeler, Ty Cobb, Tony Gwynn, Pete Rose, Rod Carew, and Ichiro Suzuki.

slash line[edit]

A representation of multiple baseball statistics separated by the slash, for example .330/.420/.505. The typical data represented are batting average / on-base percentage / slugging percentage.[265] Also known as a triple slash. Slash is used as a verb meaning to effect a given slash line.

slice foul[edit]

When a fly ball or line drive starts out over fair territory, then curves into foul territory due to aerodynamic force caused by spinning of the ball, imparted by the bat. A slice curves away from the batter (ie: it curves to the right for a right-handed batter and to the left for a left-handed batter).

slide[edit]

  • When a runner drops to the ground when running toward a base to avoid a tag. Players also sometimes slide head-first into first base. If former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher and Hall of Famer Dizzy Dean had seen something like that, he'd probably have said the player never should have "slud into first".
  • A team having a losing streak is in a slide or on the skids.

slider[edit]

A relatively fast pitch with a slight curve in the opposite direction of the throwing arm.

slug[edit]

  • A slugger maintains a high slugging average. Just as a "perfect" batting average would be 1.000 (a thousand), a "perfect" slugging average would be 4.000 (four thousand).
  • A slugfest is an exceptionally high scoring game, perhaps with double digits for both teams; the opposite of a slugfest is a pitchers' duel.

slump[edit]

An extended period when player or team is not performing well or up to expectations; a dry spell or drought.

slurve[edit]

A cross between a slider and a curveball.

small ball[edit]

A strategy by which teams attempt to score runs using station-to-station, bunting and sacrifice plays; usually used in a situation where one run will either tie or win the game; manufacturing runs; close kin to inside baseball. "It's important for us to think small ball and hit behind runners, and also score with base hits, doubles, sacrifices — there are many ways to score", Alex Rodriguez said. "Later on, when it counts the most, it's hard only to score by home runs".[266]

smoke[edit]

  • To smoke a batter is to throw a smoker (an inside fastball) for a called strike.
  • A pitcher who throws smoke throws the ball so hard the batter sees only its (imaginary) vapor trail.

snap throw[edit]

A throw made by the catcher to either first or third base after a pitch in an attempt to pick off the runner.

snicker[edit]

A type of foul ball in which the batter grazes ("snicks") the ball with the bat. The ball continues toward the catcher, with a slightly modified trajectory, making it a difficult catch.[citation needed]

snow cone[edit]

A catch made with the ball barely caught in the tip of a glove's webbing. Sometimes referred to as an "ice cream cone".

snowman[edit]

An 8-run inning as it appears on the scoreboard, like two large balls of snow stacked on top of one another.

soft hands[edit]

A fielder's ability to cradle the ball well in his glove. Contrast hard hands. "I was teaching the players to field the ball out front and 'give in' with the ball and bring it up to a throwing position. The analogy I used was to pretend the ball is an egg and give in with it. I consider this to be 'soft' hands."[267]

soft toss[edit]

When a coach or teammate from a position adjacent the hitter throws a ball under-hand to allow the hitter to practice hitting into a net or fence.

soft tosser[edit]

A pitcher who doesn't have a really fast fastball. "Jones, a soft tosser when compared to the Tigers' other hard throwers, struck out Posada, retired Cano on a soft fly, and got Damon to fly out."[268]

solo home run[edit]

A home run hit when there are no runners on base, so the batter circles the bases solo.

sophomore jinx[edit]

The tendency for players to follow a good rookie season with a less-spectacular one. (This term is used outside the realm of baseball as well.) Two of the most notorious examples are Joe Charboneau and Mark Fidrych. The statistical term for the sophomore jinx is "regression to the mean".

southpaw[edit]

Left-hander, especially a pitcher. Most baseball stadiums are built so that home plate is in the west and the outfield is in the east, so that when the sun sets it is not in the batter's eye. Because of this, a left-handed pitcher's arm is always facing south when he faces the plate. Thus he has a "southpaw".

spank[edit]

  • To hit the ball, typically a line drive to the opposite field.
  • To win a game handily or decisively. Headline: "Tigers Spank KC 13-1. Did the Royals Wave the White Flag?"[269]

sparkplug[edit]

A fireplug. A player known for his aggressive, never-say-die attitude (though perhaps modest ability) who may help to spark his team into a rally or a win. "Versalles was the sparkplug that led the 1965 Twins to their first World Series."[270]

speed merchant[edit]

A fast player, often collecting stolen bases, bunt singles and/or infield hits.

spike[edit]

A runner can "spike" an infielder by sliding into him and causing an injury with the spikes of his shoes.

spitter[edit]

A spitball pitch in which the ball has been altered by the application of spit, petroleum jelly, or some other foreign substance.

split-finger[edit]

A fastball that breaks sharply toward the ground just before reaching the plate due to the pitcher's grip; his first two fingers are spread apart to put a downward spin on the ball. Also called a forkball, splitter or Mr. Splitee.

splits[edit]

A player's splits are his performance statistics broken down or split into categories such as batting average against right-handed vs. left-handed pitchers, in home games vs. away games, or in day games vs. night games. When statistics are split in such a way they may reveal patterns that allow a manager to use (perhaps to platoon) a player strategically where he can be most effective. Sabermetricians may use such splits to investigate patterns that explain overall performance, including topics such as whether a pitcher may have doctored the ball during home games.[271]

spoil a pitch[edit]

When a pitcher throws a strike over the plate that at first seems good enough to strike the batter out but the batter fouls it off, the batter may be said to "spoil the pitch". The usage is similar to that of "fighting off a pitch".

spot starter[edit]

  • A pitcher who starts an occasional game (perhaps only one game) who is not a regular starter in the rotation. This is a pitcher who is already on a team's roster and usually works as a relief pitcher. In contrast to a spot starter, who is already on the roster, an emergency starter is typically a player who is brought up from the minor leagues on very short notice because a regular starter is injured. Sometimes, however, even a player who is already on the roster may be referred to as an emergency starter if his starting role arises because the regularly scheduled starter has been injured.
  • In recent years, the term "spot starter" has more commonly been used to describe a pitcher called up from the minors specifically to make one start before being optioned back down to the minors immediately following the game, particularly when the pitcher in question is the 26th man added to the active roster for a scheduled doubleheader.

spray hitter[edit]

A batter who hits line drives to all fields. Not a pull hitter.

Spring training[edit]

In Major League Baseball, spring training consists of work-outs and exhibition games that precede the regular season. It serves the purpose of both auditioning players for final roster spots and giving players practice prior to competitive play. The managers and coaches use spring training to set their opening-day 25-man roster.

square around[edit]

When a batter turns his stance from being sideways to the pitcher's mound to facing the pitcher's mound. This is typically done when a batter prepares to bunt a ball, in particular when he intends to do a sacrifice bunt. "Whether you square around or pivot, you want to make sure you are in a comfortable and athletic position to bunt the ball. Your knees should be bent and your bat should be held out in front of your body. The barrel of the bat should be at the same height as your eyes and at the top of the strike zone".[272]

square up[edit]

To get a good swing at the ball and hit it hard near the center of the ball. "It makes a big difference because you work hard to square a ball up, but they catch it or make a good play", Pierre said. "It takes the wind out of you a little bit and it makes him (Verlander) probably feel better, too".[273]

squeeze play[edit]

A tactic used to attempt to score a runner from third on a bunt. There are two types of squeeze plays: suicide squeeze and safety squeeze. In a suicide squeeze, the runner takes off towards home plate as soon as the pitcher begins his throw toward home plate. In a safety squeeze, the runner waits until the batter makes contact with the ball before committing himself to try to reach home.

squeeze the zone[edit]

When an umpire calls balls and strikes as if the strike zone is smaller than usual, he's said to "squeeze the zone".

squibber[edit]

A nubber. A batted ball that is either off the end of the bat or from a very late swing, which puts side spin on it as it rolls (typically toward the first or third baseman).

staff[edit]

The pitching staff of a given team.

stand-up double or triple[edit]

An extra-base hit in which the runner reaches base easily without needing to slide, i.e. remains standing up as he touches the bag.

stance[edit]

  • When a hitter steps into the batter's box, he typically stands a few inches from home plate with one shoulder facing the pitcher's mound. His particular manner of bending his knees or holding his bat is referred to as the batter's stance or hitting stance.[274]
  • A catcher typically crouches or squats behind home plate, holding his glove up as a target for the pitcher. This is referred to as a catcher's stance.[275]
  • A pitcher's stance or pitching position involves how and where he stands on the mound, how his back foot toes the rubber, his windup, and his delivery.

stanza[edit]

An inning. "In that stanza, however, the Tigers . . . clawed their way back into the ballgame."[276]

starting pitcher[edit]

The "starter" is the first pitcher in the game for each team. (For a less frequently used strategy to start the game, see opener.)

starting rotation[edit]

Another term for rotation (the planned order of a team's starting pitchers).

station[edit]

A player's assigned defensive position.

station-to-station[edit]

Oddly enough, this term can mean completely different things. It can be referred to as a close relative of inside baseball, where hit-and-runs and base-stealing are frequent. It can also mean its exact opposite, where a team takes fewer chances of getting thrown out on the bases by cutting down on steal attempts and taking the extra base on a hit; therefore, the team will maximise the number of runs scored on a homer.

stathead[edit]

Statheads use statistical methods to analyze baseball game strategy as well as player and team performance. They use the tools of sabermetrics to analyze baseball.

stats[edit]

Short for "statistics", the numbers generated by the game: runs, hits, errors, strikeouts, batting average, earned run average, fielding average, etc. Most of the numbers used by players and fans are not true mathematical statistics, but the term is in common usage.

stayed alive[edit]

When a batter who already has two strikes swings at but fouls off a pitch, he may be said to have "stayed alive". He (or his at bat) will live to see another pitch. Similarly, when a team that is facing elimination from the playoffs wins a game, it may be said to have "stayed alive" to play another game.[277]

steady diet[edit]

When a batter shows that it is easier to get him out with a certain type of pitch, he may receive a "steady diet" of that type of pitch thrown. Headline: "Phillies' Howard Gets a Steady Diet of Curveballs".[278]

steaks[edit]

RBIs. Derived from the common pronunciation of RBI as "ribbie", which was apparently once pronounced as Rib-eye.

steal[edit]

See stolen base.

stealing signs[edit]

  • When a team that is at bat tries to see the sign the catcher is giving to the pitcher (indicating what type of pitch to throw), the team is said to be stealing signs. This may be done by a runner who is on base (typically second base) watching the catcher's signs to the pitcher and giving a signal of some kind to the batter. (To prevent this, the pitcher and catcher may change their signs when there is a runner on second base.) Sometimes a first-base or third-base coach might see a catcher's signs if the catcher isn't careful. In unusual cases, the signs may be read through binoculars by somebody sitting in the stands, perhaps in center field, and sending a signal to the hitter in some way.
  • When a hitter is suspected of peeking to see how a catcher is setting up behind the plate as a clue to what pitch might be coming or what the intended location is, then the pitcher will usually send the hitter a message: stick it in his ear.

stepping in the bucket[edit]

A phrase for an "open" batting stance, in which the hitter's leading foot is aligned away from the plate (toward left field for a right-handed batter). The stance reduces power in the swing and slows the hitter's exit toward first base; however, many players believe it allows them to see the pitch better, and more naturally drive the ball to the opposite field.

stick it in his ear[edit]

"Stick it in his ear!" is a cry that may come from fans in the stands, appealing to the home team pitcher to be aggressive (throw the ball at the opposing batter). The line is attributed originally, however, to Leo Durocher.

stick it in his pocket[edit]

Said of an infielder who secures a batted or thrown ball, but chooses to hold the ball rather than throwing to try for an out. For example, a shortstop might range in the hole to field a ground ball, but then elect to "stick it in his pocket" rather than attempting to throw to first base to put out the batter-runner, whether to avoid the possibility of a throwing error or to prevent another runner on base from advancing on the throw. Often happens on a ball hit so slowly that, by the time it's fielded, the runner(s) have already advanced so far that a throw and catch for a force out is unlikely or impossible.

stolen base[edit]

In baseball, a stolen base (or "steal") occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate. In baseball statistics, stolen bases are denoted by SB. If the catcher thwarts the stolen base by throwing the runner out, the event is recorded as caught stealing (CS). Also see uncontested steal.

stole first[edit]

A batter who reaches first base following an uncaught third strike has (unofficially) "stolen" it.

stone fingers[edit]

A fielder who misplays easy ground balls. Also see hard hands.

stopper[edit]

  • A team's best starting pitcher, called upon to stop a losing streak.
  • A team's closer.

stranded[edit]

Another term for left on base.

streak[edit]

  • A series of consecutive wins (a winning streak) or losses (a losing streak). Also, a string, especially if referring to a series of wins.
  • A series of games in which a batter gets a hit (hitting streak) or fails to get a hit (hitless streak), or accomplishes some other feat of interest (e.g, gets a stolen base or hits a home run).

stretch[edit]

  • To pitch from a stretch is to begin the pitching motion by facing sideways relative to home plate, raising one's arms at the elbow and bringing the glove hand and pitching hand together in a full stop, then hurling the ball toward the plate. This is the usual pitching motion when there are men on base, so that the pitcher can check on the runners before throwing home. Sometimes, however, pitchers use a stretch even when the bases are empty.
  • For other uses of the word "stretch", see stretch a hit, stretch run, down the stretch, and seventh inning stretch.

stretch a hit[edit]

To stretch a hit is to take an additional base on a hit, typically by aggressive running.

stretch the lineup[edit]

  • To stretch the lineup is to have strong hitters after the 3rd, 4th, and 5th places in the batting order, which are normally where the power hitters are found. "Victor goes out there every day and shows you why he is a professional hitter – he's never afraid to just take a base hit when that's what there for him", Leyland said. "Carlos lets us stretch our lineup with another professional hitter, and also a switch-hitter".[279]

stretch run[edit]

The last part of the regular baseball season when teams are competing to reach the playoffs or championship. Perhaps derived from the term "home stretch" in horse racing or car racing when the horse (or car) comes out of the final turn and is racing toward the finish line. Headline: "Tigers eyeing help for stretch run"[280] (The Tigers are seeking additional players as they approach the end of the season).

strike[edit]

  • When a batter swings at a pitch, but fails to hit it, when a batter does not swing at a pitch that is thrown within the strike zone, when the ball is hit foul and the strike count is less than 2 (a batter cannot strike out on a foul ball, however he can fly out), when a ball is bunted foul, regardless of the strike count, when the ball touches the batter as he swings at it, when the ball touches the batter in the strike zone, or when the ball is a foul tip.
  • A particularly hard, accurate throw by a fielder attempting to put out a baserunner (or a particularly hard, accurate pickoff attempt by the pitcher) is sometimes referred to as throwing a strike.

strike out[edit]

  • Of a pitcher, the throwing of three strikes in one plate appearance. This normally retires the batter, and counts as one out. However, it is possible for the hitter to strike out and still reach base, if the catcher drops the strikeout pitch.
  • Of a hitter, with a count of two strikes, to make a third strike by swinging at and missing a pitch, swinging at a pitch and tipping a foul ball directly into the catcher's mitt which is subsequently caught, taking a called strike, or bunting a ball foul.

strikeout pitch[edit]

  • The last pitch of a strikeout; the third strike.
  • The type of pitch (specific to each pitcher) that he or she prefers to use as the last pitch of a strikeout. This is almost always a breaking pitch – a pitch that moves out of the strike zone, increasing the chance that the batter will swing and miss.[281]

strikeout pitcher[edit]

A pitcher who strikes out hitters a lot.

strike 'em out/throw 'em out[edit]

A double play in which a batter strikes out and the catcher then immediately throws out a baserunner trying to steal. Sometimes this is called strikeout/double-play. Usually scored 2-6 or 2-4 for an out at second.

strike out the side[edit]

  • A pitcher is said to have "struck out the side" when he retires all three batters in one inning by striking them out.
  • "All three" may mean that only three batters came to the plate (and struck out), but the phrase could refer to the three batters who made outs (regardless what happened to the others).

strike zone[edit]

The imaginary prism over home plate used to "call" balls and strikes.

string[edit]

  • A series of consecutive wins. A winning streak.
  • Any other series of consecutive events, such as strike-outs or scoreless innings.

struck out looking[edit]

A batter called out on strikes without swinging on the third strike is said to have "struck out lookin'." Labeled with a backwards "K" by some scorecard keepers. Sports commentators have also been known to use the slang term "just browsing" when showing a batter that's "struck out looking" on SportsCenter or other related shows.

struck out swinging[edit]

A batter called out on strikes when swinging at the third strike is said to have "struck out swinging". Usually labeled with the traditional forward "K" on scorecards.

struck out bunting[edit]

A batter called out on strikes when the third strike resulted from a bunted ball that came to rest in foul territory.

stuff[edit]

  • A pitcher's "stuff" is an overall evaluation of how effective his pitches are: "good stuff" when they are hard to hit, and "just stuff" or "lousy stuff" when they are not. More specifically, it refers to the movement of the ball in air of a breaking ball pitcher, and/or the speed of a fastball pitcher.

submarine[edit]

A pitcher who throws with such a severe sidearm motion that the pitch comes from below his waist, sometimes near the ground. (A submariner does not throw underhanded, as in fastpitch softball.) See submarine.

subway series[edit]

When two teams from the same city or metropolitan area play a series of games, they are presumed to be so near to one another that they could take the subway to play at their opponent's stadium. Mets vs. Yankees would be (and is) called a subway series; a Cubs vs. White Sox series would be an "L" series; and a series between the Oakland A's and the San Francisco Giants would be (and was) the "BART" series. However, a series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim would not be a subway series, because there is no subway or other rail service between Dodger Stadium and Angel Stadium of Anaheim (not even the fabled but fanciful line between "Anaheim, Azusa and Cuc ... amonga").[282] Instead such a series is referred to as a freeway series.

Sunday Funday[edit]

After winning a weekend series in college baseball, the team will party Sunday night. This is because college teams play five nights a week and have no free time to party except on Sundays, because they can rest on their required Monday off day.

suicide squeeze[edit]

A squeeze play in which the runner on third breaks for home on the pitch, so that, if the batter does not lay down a bunt, then the runner is an easy out (unless he steals home). Contrast this with the safety squeeze.

summer classic[edit]

The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the Mid-Summer Classic. These annual games pit the all-stars of the National League against the all-stars of the American League, a concept designed to acknowledge and showcase the achievements of the best players in each league.

sweep[edit]

To win all the games in a series between two teams, whether during the regular 162-game season or during the league championships or World Series. During the regular season, pairs of teams typically square off in several 3- or 4-game series at the home parks of each team. It is also thus possible for one team to sweep a 3- or 4-game series, the "home series" (all the games a team plays at its home field against another given team), the "road series", or the "season series" between two teams. ("Sweep" was also used to mean winning both games of a doubleheader. Sweeps are also used for a college baseball team who wins all three games of a weekend series.)

sweet spot[edit]

The meat of the bat.[283] "Batters know from experience that there is a sweet spot on the bat, about 17 centimetres (6.7 in) from the end of the barrel, where the shock of the impact, felt by the hands, is reduced to such an extent that the batter is almost unaware of the collision. At other impact points, the impact is usually felt as a sting or jarring of the hands and forearm, particularly if the impact occurs at a point well removed from the sweet spot".[284][285] " 'I was ready for a fastball early in the count, because I knew he would go to his other stuff later", Santiago said. "I got one, and I just wanted to hit it on the sweet spot' ".[286]

swing[edit]

  • When a batter is following his coach's advice to not bunt (never mind those runners), he is said to "swing away".
  • "Swing for the downs" means swing mightily – all or nothing.
  • Attempting a home run is to "swing for the fences".
  • "Swing from the heels" means swinging very hard, hoping for an extra base hit.
  • A "swingman" is a pitcher with relatively good stamina who can function as either a long reliever or a starter, e.g. Justin Masterson during his time with the Red Sox.[287]

switch hitter[edit]

A switch hitter can hit from either side of the plate, i.e. bats both left-handed and right-handed.



T[edit]

tablesetter[edit]

  • a player placed high in the batting order for his tendency to hit for average and steal bases is said to "set the table" for the power hitters behind him in the lineup.
  • an unexpected event early in a ball game, such as a defensive error or a hit batsmen, can be called a "tablesetter" for the outcome of the game.

tag[edit]

  • A tag out. A runner is out if, while in jeopardy, a fielder touches him with a live ball or the hand or glove holding a live ball.
  • To hit the ball hard, typically for an extra-base hit.

tag up[edit]

When a batter hits a ball that is caught before touching the ground (he is out) every runner must retreat back to the base he just left. Once he has touched that base (tagged up), he may legally advance again. If he fails to tag up he can be called out on appeal.

tailgate[edit]

A catcher's butt. In the phrase "he didn't keep his tailgate down" an announcer means a pitched ball was very low or even hit the dirt and went between the catcher's legs.

take a pitch[edit]

When a batter decides not to swing at a pitch, he "takes the pitch." He may do this following the instruction of a coach who has given him a take sign.

take sign[edit]

The signal from a coach for the batter to not swing at the next pitch—to "take" it. Sometimes when a new pitcher or a reliever comes in, batters are given a general instruction to take the first pitch. Most often, they are told to take a pitch when the count is 3–0.

take something off the pitch[edit]

To throw an off-speed pitch or to throw a given pitch slower than the pitcher usually throws it.

take the bat out of his hands[edit]

To issue an intentional walk. By doing so, a pitcher reduces the potential damage from allowing the batter to swing at and hit a pitch. "Buck Showalter took the bat out of Barry Bonds' hands with an unheard-of strategy – a bases-loaded intentional walk. Amazingly, the Arizona Diamondbacks manager got away with it."[288]

take the crown[edit]

To win the championship, i.e. remove the current champions from the throne.

take the field[edit]

When the defensive players arrive at their positions at the beginning of a half-inning, they have "taken the field". (The pitcher "takes the hill".)

take-out slide[edit]

A slide performed for the purpose of hampering the play of the defense. A runner from first to second base will often try to "take out" the fielder at the base to disrupt his throw to first base and "break up the double play". Although the runner is supposed to stay within the base-paths, as long as he touches second base he has a lot of leeway to use his body. Runners in this situation usually need to slide in order to avoid being hit by the throw from second to first; but whether they do a "take-out slide" or come into the base with their spikes high in the air depends as much on their personal disposition as it does the situation. The title of a biography of Ty Cobb — "The Tiger Wore Spikes" — says something about how he ran the basepaths.[289]
Before the 2015 season, "runners were given a good deal of leeway when sliding into a base in an attempt to break up a double play." After some infielders were injured on rough plays during that season, notably when Chase Utley slid into Ruben Tejada during the National League Divisional playoffs and broke his leg, Major League Baseball instituted the "bona-fide slide" rule. [290] The runner must make contact with the ground before reaching the base, he must be able to reach the base with a hand or foot,he must be able to remain on the base at the completion of the slide (except at home plate) and he must not change his path for the purpose of initiating contact with a fielder.

tap[edit]

To hit a slow or easy ground ball, typically to the pitcher: "Martinez tapped it back to the mound." A ball hit in this way is a tapper.

tape measure home run[edit]

An especially long home run. The term originated from a 1953 game in which Mickey Mantle hit a ball out of Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C. The distance the ball flew was measured and the next day a picture of Mantle with a tape measure was published in the newspaper. A play-by-play announcer may also call a long home run a tape measure job. Although fans have always been interested in how far home runs may travel and in comparing the great home runs of the great and not-so-great home run hitters, the science of measuring home runs remains inexact.[291][292]

tater[edit]

A home run. The term started to appear in the 1970s, specifically as "long tater". (The ball itself has been known as a "potato" or "tater" for generations.)

tattoo[edit]

To hit the ball very hard, figuratively to put a tattoo from the bat's trademark on the ball.

tax evader[edit]

A deep fly ball which has a chance to become a base hit or home run. Said of Brett Lawrie's inside-the-park home run on 25 June 2016 when the ball was still in the air with its fate not yet certain.

tea party[edit]

Conference on the mound, involving more players than just the pitcher and catcher, and sometimes coaches and managers. Also a pow wow.

tee off[edit]

Easily hittable pitches are likened to stationary baseballs sitting on batting tees (or possibly golf tees, since this term is also part of the lexicon of golf), and therefore batters hitting such pitches are said to be 'teeing off'.

telegraph[edit]

To tip one's pitches.

terminator[edit]

A pitcher's "out pitch" (usually his best pitch); the one upon which he relies. Made famous by the movie Major League II.

Texas Leaguer[edit]

  • A Texas Leaguer (or Texas League single) is a weakly hit fly ball that drops in for a single between an infielder and an outfielder. This is now more commonly referred to as a flare, blooper, or "bloop single". It is most colorfully called a 'gork shot' or a 'duck snort.' See blooper.
  • Outfielder Ollie Pickering is credited with giving baseball the term “Texas Leaguer,” a pejorative slang for a weak pop fly that lands unimpressively between an infielder and an outfielder for a base hit. According to the April 21, 1906, edition of The Sporting Life,[293] John McCloskey, founder of the Texas League and then-manager of the Houston Mudcats – who would later go onto manage the St. Louis Cardinals – signed 22-year-old Pickering to play center field on the morning of May 21, 1892. That afternoon, Pickering turned in one of the most remarkable performances in the history of the Texas League, stringing together seven consecutive singles in one game, each a soft, looping fly ball that fell in no-man's land between either the first baseman and right fielder or the third baseman and left fielder. News of Pickering’s feat spread quickly throughout the nation and the term "Texas Leaguer" became ingrained in the baseball lexicon. Pickering’s seven consecutive singles in a game still stands as a Texas League record.[294] Pickering would go onto play and manage for 30 years, with major league stops as an outfielder for the Louisville Colonels, Philadelphia A's, Cleveland Blues (now Indians), St. Louis Browns and Washington Senators.

third of an inning[edit]

A concept in statistics to account for when a pitcher retires only one or two of the [at least] three batters in a full inning, e.g. 3.1 and 5.2 (for convenience in print; those represent ​3 13 and ​5 23 respectively).

three-bagger or three-base hit[edit]

A triple.

three true outcomes[edit]

The three ways a plate appearance can end without fielders coming into play: walks, home runs, and strikeouts. Baseball Prospectus coined the term in homage to Rob Deer, who excelled at producing all three outcomes. The statistical result of the three true outcomes on a player's slash line is a low batting average, as well as an unusually high on-base percentage relative to the batting average. Traditionally, players with a high percentage of their plate appearances ending in one of the three true outcomes are underrated,[citation needed] as general managers often overestimate the harm in striking out, and underestimate the value of a walk.

three up, three down[edit]

To face just three batters in an inning. Having a "three up, three down inning" is the goal of any pitcher. Unlike in a 1-2-3 inning, batters are permitted to reach base so long as only three batters are faced by the pitcher. For instance, a single, then a strikeout, then a double play is a three up three down inning, but not a 1-2-3 inning. See also: side retired, 1-2-3 inning.

through the wickets[edit]

When a batted ball passes through the legs of a player on the field (most commonly an infielder) it's often said, "That one went right through the wickets." The term refers to the metal arches (called wickets) used in the game of croquet through which balls are hit. Letting the ball through his legs makes a baseball player look (and feel) inept, and the official scorekeeper typically records the play as an error.

throw a clothesline[edit]

When a fielder throws the ball so hard it appears to hardly arc at all, he has "thrown a clothesline". Akin to a line drive's being described as a rope or frozen rope.

throw him the chair[edit]

Striking out a batter, causing him to sit down in the dugout.[citation needed]

thrower[edit]

A pitcher who throws the ball hard in the direction of home plate but without much accuracy or command. Distinguished from a "pitcher", who may or may not throw the ball as hard but who has command and is likely to be more successful in getting batters out.

throwing seeds/throwing the pill/throwing BBs[edit]

When a pitcher's fastball is so good it seems as though the baseball is the size of a seed (or pill or BB), and just about as hittable.

tie him up[edit]

Getting a pitch in on the hitter's hands, making it impossible for him to swing.

tilt[edit]

A game. A face-off between competitors, as in a joust. Headline: "Myers, Phillies beat Mets in key NL East tilt".[295]

time play[edit]

A run can be scored on the same play as the third out, but only if the third out is not a force out, and is not made by the batter before reaching first base. In order for the run to count, the runner must reach home plate before the third out is made elsewhere on the field, so the play is known as a "time play".[296]

tin glove[edit]

A poor fielding (defensive) player is often said to have a "tin glove", as if his baseball mitt was made of inflexible metal. This is a sarcastic reference to the gold glove awarded for defensive excellence.[citation needed]

tipping[edit]

  • When a pitcher inadvertently signals what type pitch is next, he is said to be "tipping" or "telegraphing" them. It may be something in his position on the rubber, his body lean, how he holds or moves his glove when going into the stretch, whether he moves his index finger outside his glove, or some aspect of his pitching motion. Akin to what is called a tell in poker: a habit, behavior, or physical reaction that gives other players more information about your hand.
  • Coaches as well as players on the bench make a habit of watching everything an opposing pitcher is doing, looking for information that will allow them to forecast what kind of pitch is coming. When pitchers go through a bad spell, they may become paranoid that they're tipping their pitches to the opposing batters. A pitcher and coaches are likely to spend a lot of time studying film of the games to learn what the pitcher might be doing that tips his pitches.
  • Pitchers will try to hide their grip even while delivering the ball. Rick Sutcliffe used to wind up in such a way that his body concealed the ball from the batter almost until the moment of release. In contrast, relief ace Dennis Eckersley, playing a psychological game, would hold the ball up in such a way that he purposely showed off the type of grip he had on it, essentially "daring" the batter to hit it.

toe the slab[edit]

To take the mound; to pitch. Sometimes expressed as "toe the rubber". Literally, to put the toe of his shoe on the rubber.

took the ball out of the catcher's glove[edit]

When a batter swings a bit late, perhaps hitting the ball to the opposite field, a broadcaster may say he "took the ball out of the catcher's glove" (just before the catcher was able to catch it).

took the collar[edit]

Went hitless. See collar.

tomahawk[edit]

To hit a high pitch, perhaps one that's out of the strike zone, so that the batter may appear to be swinging downwards as if his bat is a tomahawk. "Things started well for the Blue Jays in their first at-bat when Stairs tomahawked a Matsuzaka pitch on one bounce into the stands behind Fenway Park's famed Pesky's Pole for a ground-rule double."[297]
Kirby Puckett when asked by broadcaster Jim Kaat about his walk-off home run which won Game Six of the 1991 World Series, "I just tomahawked that ball, Kitty!"

Tommy John surgery[edit]

A type of reconstructive elbow surgery with estimated recovery time 14-18 months. Pitcher Tommy John was the first professional athlete to successfully undergo it.

tools[edit]

See 5-tool player.

tools of ignorance[edit]

A catcher's gear.

toolsy[edit]

A player with many tools who hasn't matured yet.

TOOTBLAN[edit]

A tongue-in-cheek term for when a baserunner commits a blunder that leads to him being tagged or forced out. It stands for "Thrown Out On The Basepaths Like A Nincompoop".[298] It was created as part of an effort to determine what impact on-base outs had on a batter's on-base percentage.[299]

top of the inning[edit]

The first half of an inning during which the visiting team bats; derived from its position in the line score.

top of the order batter[edit]

A batter who has speed and a propensity to get on base, and who thus may be suited to be the lead-off or second hitter in the line-up. "I think Brett Jackson looks a lot more like a top of the order guy right now than a middle of the order guy, and he seems like a viable leadoff hitter based on his performance as a professional."[citation needed]

top-step pitcher[edit]

When a pitcher has reached a point where he's at risk of being pulled and replaced by another pitcher, the manager may be standing at the "top step" of the dugout, ready to go immediately to the mound after the next pitch.

tore the cover off the ball[edit]

Hit the ball so hard that the batter figuratively tore the cover off the ball. Also used in Ernest Thayer's famous "Casey at the Bat":

"But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,

And Blake, the much despised, tore the cover off the ball ..."[300]

tossed[edit]

When a player or manager is ordered by an umpire to leave a game, that player or manager is said to have been "tossed". Usually, this is the result of arguing with an umpire. Similar to being "red carded" in soccer. See ejected.

total bases[edit]

The sum of the number of bases advanced by a batter/runner on his own safe hits over a specified period of time, where a single = 1, a double = 2, a triple = 3, and a home run = 4. The quotient of total bases divided by at-bats is slugging average, a measure of hitting power. (It can be argued that total bases would include walks and steals.)

touch all the bases[edit]

To "touch all the bases" or "touch 'em all" is to hit a home run. (If a player fails to literally "touch 'em all" – if he misses a base during his home run trot – he can be called out on appeal).

touched up[edit]

A pitcher who gives up several hits may be said to have been "touched up".

touchdown[edit]

A seven-run difference, derived from six points for a touchdown plus the extra point in American football. For example, a team ahead 10-3 is said to be "up by a touchdown".

TR[edit]

Throws right; used in describing a player's statistics, e.g. John Doe (TR, BR, 6', 172 lbs.)

track down[edit]

To field a ball, typically a ground ball that a fielder has to travel some distance to stop or a fly ball that an outfielder has to run far to catch. "Mike Cameron, Milwaukee Brewers, can track down flies with the best centerfielders in baseball today."[301]

trap[edit]

When a fielder attempts to catch a batted baseball in the air but the ball hits the ground just before it enters the fielder's glove, the fielder is said to have "trapped the ball". Sometimes it is difficult for the umpire to tell whether the ball was caught for an out or instead trapped. "Any outfielder worth his salt always makes the catch of the sinking line drive by rolling over and raising his glove triumphantly. It does not matter if he trapped the ball. It does not matter that the replay shows he trapped the ball. What is important is the success of the deception at that moment so that the umpire calls the batter out."[302]

triple[edit]

A three-base hit.

triple crown[edit]

  • A batter who (at season's end) leads the league in three major categories: home runs, runs batted in, and batting average.
  • A pitcher who (at season's end) leads the league in three major categories: earned run average, wins, and strikeouts.

triple play[edit]

When three outs are made on one play. This is rare. While a typical game may have several double plays, a typical season has only a few triple plays. This is primarily because the circumstances are rather specific — that there be at least two runners, and no outs, and that typically one of these circumstances occurs: (1) the batter hits a sharp grounder to the third baseman, who touches the base, throws to second base to get the second out, and the second baseman or shortstop relays the ball to first quickly enough to get the batter-runner for the third out (also called a 5-4-3 or 5-6-3 triple play, respectively); OR (2) the runners are off on the pitch, in a hit-and-run play, but an infielder catches the ball on a line-drive out, and relays to the appropriate bases in time to get two other runners before they can retreat to their bases. The latter situation can also yield an extremely rare unassisted triple play, of which 14 have occurred in the entire history of major league baseball. A second baseman or shortstop will catch the ball, his momentum will carry him to second base to make the second out, and he will run and touch the runner from first before the runner can fully regain his momentum and turn around back to first.

turn two[edit]

To execute a double play.

twin bill[edit]

  • A doubleheader.

twin killing[edit]

  • A double play.
  • Winning both ends of a doubleheader.

twirler[edit]

An old fashioned term for a pitcher. In the early years, pitchers would often twirl their arms in a circle one or more times before delivering the ball, literally using a "windup", in the belief it would reduce stress on their arms. The terms "twirler" and "twirling" faded along with that motion. The modern term "hurler" is effectively the substitute term.

two away or two down[edit]

When there are two outs in the inning.

two-bagger or two-base hit[edit]

A double.

two-seam fastball[edit]

A fastball held in such a way that it breaks slightly downward, and most often away from the pitcher's arm, as it crosses the plate. A sinker. A two-seamer. Due to the grip, generally with or along the two straight seams, as opposed to a four seamer, which is gripped across the horseshoe, the batter sees only one pair of seams spinning instead of two.

two-sport player[edit]

Many college athletes play two sports, but it is rare for someone to play two major league professional sports well or simultaneously. Sometimes players have brief major league trial periods in two professional sports but quickly drop one of them. Some "two-sport" players who played multiple major league baseball seasons have been Jim Thorpe, Brian Jordan, Gene Conley, Bo Jackson, Danny Ainge, Ron Reed, Deion Sanders and Mark Hendrickson. Although Michael Jordan tried to become a major league baseball player after his first retirement from the National Basketball Association, he didn't make the big leagues and did not try to play both baseball and basketball at the same time.

two-way player[edit]

  • A term borrowed from American football to describe either a player who can pitch and hit well, or a player who can pitch and play another defensive position well. The most famous Major League ballplayer who was truly a two-way player was Babe Ruth. He started his career as an outstanding pitcher and later played in the outfield—and was one of the greatest home run hitters of all-time.
  • The term is sometimes used to describe a player who is good at both offense and defense: "Manager Jim Leyland said during the season that he believes Inge has the potential to become one of the league's best two-way players."



U[edit]

UA or U.A.[edit]

Abbreviation for Union Association, a one-year (1884) major league.

Uecker seats[edit]

Spectator seating offering a very poor view of the playing field. Named in honor of longtime Milwaukee Brewers announcer Bob Uecker, in reference to one of his TV ads in which he is removed from the box seats and learns that his ticket is actually for a seat in the back row of the right field upper deck.

ugly finder[edit]

A foul ball hit into a dugout, presumably to "find" someone who is ugly or to render him that way if he fails to dodge the ball.

ukulele hitter[edit]

A weak hitter – banjo hitter, Punch and Judy hitter. "Wolff: Ukulele Hitter Makes Hall of Fame as Broadcaster".[303]

ultimate grand slam[edit]

A grand slam by a member of the home team when they are exactly three runs behind in the bottom of the final inning, thus overcoming a 3-run deficit and winning the game with one swing. See also walk-off home run.

umpire[edit]

"The ump" is in charge of a game, as are members of his crew ("refs" in most other sports).

unassisted play[edit]

When a fielder single-handedly executes a play which is more often completed by multiple fielders. For example, with a runner on first base, a ground ball is hit to the shortstop who then steps on second base, completing a force out. Unassisted double plays are rare, and unassisted triple plays are extremely rare.

Uncle Charlie[edit]

A curveball.

uncontested steal, undefended steal[edit]

If a base runner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate but the catcher does not attempt to throw him out, then the steal may be scored as an uncontested or undefended steal. In the game's statistics, the runner would not be credited with a stolen base. Also called defensive indifference. See also stolen base, fielder's choice.

up[edit]

  • The player at bat or on his way there.
  • "Batter up!": Start the inning (says an umpire).
  • Three up, three down: Three batters came to the plate and all three are out.
  • A team in the lead is "up" by some number of runs.
  • Called up, a player has been promoted from the minors to the majors.

up and in[edit]

Same as high and tight.

up in the zone[edit]

A pitch to the upper part of the strike zone. "When Miller throws his fastball up in the zone, opponents are hitting .079 (6-for-76) and have missed on 36 percent of swings (league average is .232). When his fastball is down or in the middle of the strike zone, opponents hit .270 with a miss rate of 15 percent."[304]

up the middle[edit]

(adverb) Said of a ball batted through the middle of the infield, i.e. over or near second base and toward or into the outfield.

upper decker[edit]

  • A home run that lands in the stadium's upper deck.
  • A dip of tobacco placed in the upper lip.

uppercut[edit]

When a batter's swing moves upward as the bat moves forward. "The looping or uppercut swing is most common when the hitter 'loads up his swing' in order to hit with more power."[305]

upstairs[edit]

A high pitch, usually above the strike zone.

up the elevator shaft[edit]

A high pop-up directly over the batter.

up the middle[edit]

The area near an imaginary line from home plate through the pitcher's mound and second base into center field. General managers typically build teams "up the middle", i.e. strength at catcher, second base, shortstop, and center field.

utility[edit]

A player (usually a bench player) who can play several different positions.



V[edit]

visit[edit]

  • A team (and their fans) in another team's home stadium are "visiting" as "the visitors".
  • A conference with a pitcher is referred to as a "visit to the mound".

VORP[edit]

Value Over Replacement Player, Keith Woolner's method of evaluating baseball players. VORP ranks players by comparing their run production (for batters) to that of an imaginary "replacement-level" player that teams can acquire for the league-minimum salary.[306]

vulture[edit]

A reliever who records wins in late innings by being the pitcher of record in the midst of a comeback.[307]



W[edit]

waiting for the express and caught the local[edit]

A batter caught looking at an off-speed pitch for strike three, when the game situation called for (or the batter was expecting) a fastball.

wallop[edit]

A home run. Also used as a verb: "Albert Pujols walloped that pitch."

walk[edit]

A base on balls.

walk-off[edit]

A home team immediately wins the game when they score a run to take the lead in the bottom of the last inning.

warning track[edit]

The dirt and finely-ground gravel area along the fence, intended to help prevent fielders from running into it.

warning track power[edit]

The lack of "home run power" when a batter can only hit a fly ball that is caught at the warning track, just missing a home run.

waste a pitch[edit]

  • When a pitcher gets ahead in the count he may deliberately throw the ball outside the strike zone, hoping the batter will chase it. "Waste a pitch", the opposite of attack the strike zone, is the counterpart to a batter's "taking" a 3-0 pitch.
  • The phrase is sometimes applied also to hitters who deliberately foul off a strike to get good wood.

wave[edit]

  • To swing and miss a pitch, usually with a tentative swing.
  • When an umpire signals to a runner to take a base on an overthrow into the dug-out or in case of a ground rule double or a balk, he waves the runner to the next base.
  • When a third-base coach signals to a runner advancing toward the base to continue toward home plate he is said to wave the runner home.
  • "Doing the wave" in the stands.

wearing a pitch[edit]

  • When a batter allows a pitch to hit them, or knowingly drops their elbow or shoulder into the pitch to be awarded first base.
  • Sometimes if a player jumps out of the way of a pitch you may hear his teammates telling him to, "wear it!" from the dugout.

web gem[edit]

An outstanding defensive play. Refers to the webbing of a glove. Popularized by Baseball Tonight on ESPN.

went deep[edit]

Hit a home run. See go deep.

went fishing[edit]

When a batter reaches across the plate trying to hit an outside pitch (and misses) he "went fishing" for it.

wheelhouse[edit]

A hitter's power zone. Usually a pitch waist-high and over the heart of the plate. "Clem threw that one right into Ruben's wheelhouse. End of story."[308][309]

wheel play[edit]

Upon a bunt to the left side of the infield, the third-baseman runs toward home to field the bunt, and the shortstop runs to third base to cover. The infielders thus rotate like a wheel. "Lohse's bunt was a bad one, in the air over the head of Beltré, but it required Andrus to make an outstanding pick, stopping in his tracks as he was headed to cover third on the wheel play and then throwing to first."[310]

wheels[edit]

Legs. A player who runs the bases fast "has wheels".

whiff[edit]

A swinging strike (referring to the bat whiffing through the air without contacting the ball).

whiffout[edit]

A swinging third strike.

whip[edit]

  • A curveball.
  • See Walks plus hits per inning pitched.

whitewash[edit]

A shutout.[citation needed]

wild card[edit]

wild in the strike zone[edit]

A pitcher who throws strikes but without sufficient control over their location is "wild in the strike zone". Headline: "Zambrano Is Too Wild in Strike Zone".[311]

wild pitch[edit]

A wild pitch (abbreviated WP) is charged to a pitcher when, in the opinion of the official scorer, a pitch is too high, too low, or too wide of home plate for the catcher to catch the ball with ordinary effort, and which allows one or more runners to advance; or allows the batter to advance to first base, if it is a third strike with first base unoccupied. Neither a passed ball nor a wild pitch is charged as an error. It is a separate statistic.

win[edit]

See Win–loss record (pitching)

window shopping[edit]

Caught looking for strike three.

windup[edit]

In baseball, there are two legal pitching positions: the windup, and the set. The choice of pitching position may be tactical, as the windup has a generally slower execution than the set and is thus at greater risk of allowing a stolen base. However, some pitchers, particularly relief pitchers, are more comfortable pitching from the set position, and thus use it regardless of the situation.

winning record[edit]

A team that has won 82 games this year is having a winning season, because now they can lose the rest and still not have a total of that many losses.

winning streak[edit]

A series of consecutive wins.

winter leagues[edit]

Currently eight minor leagues with seasons that happen during the "off-season" of Major League Baseball: the Arizona Fall League, the Australian Baseball League, the Dominican Winter Baseball League, the Mexican Pacific League, the Puerto Rico Baseball League, the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League, the Nicaraguan Professional Baseball League, and the Colombian Professional Baseball League. The winter leagues used to include the Cuban League and the Panamanian Winter League.

wire-to-wire[edit]

A phrase borrowed from horse racing. It refers to a team's leading a game from the first inning to the end of the game, or leading their division (or league) from the first two or three weeks of the season to the end of the season. Also sometimes used to refer to a pitcher's throwing a complete game, especially a shut-out.

wood[edit]

The bat. See get good wood.

work the count[edit]

When a batter is patient and tries to get ahead in the count, or to get a pitch that he can hit hard, he's said to "work the count" or to "work the pitcher". Tigers Manager Jim Leyland: "We tell our hitters to be aggressive all the time, and at the same time we tell them, 'Work the pitcher.'"

worm burner[edit]

A hard hit ground ball that "burns" the ground. A daisy cutter.

worm killer[edit]

A pitch, usually an off speed or breaking ball, that hits the ground before it reaches home plate.

wrapped around the foul pole[edit]

When a batted ball that goes for a home run passes just inside the foul pole while curving toward foul territory, it is sometimes described as having "wrapped around" the pole. (The ball may actually land in foul territory, but if it passed inside the pole it is still fair.)

WW[edit]

Scoresheet notation for "wasn't watching", used by non-official scorekeepers when their attention has been distracted from the play on field. Supposedly used frequently by former New York Yankees broadcaster Phil Rizzuto.



Y[edit]

yacker/yakker[edit]

A curveball with a big break.

yank[edit]

To pull a fair ball down the foul line. "Damian Miller then yanked a double just inside the third-base bag and down the line, scoring both runners."[312]

yard[edit]

The baseball field. A home run has "left the yard", and whoever hit it went yard. "Doing yardwork" is hitting many home runs or otherwise exhibiting power.

yellow hammer[edit]

A sharp-breaking curveball. Named after the yellowhammer, a bird that dives steeply to catch prey.

yips[edit]

A condition in which a player, usually a pitcher, loses control over the direction of his throws. "Rick Ankiel was transitioned to a position player due to developing a case of the yips on the mound."



Z[edit]

zeroes[edit]

A no-hitter or perfect game, so called because the line score shown on the scoreboard is 0–0–0, though it is subjective when referring to a no-hitter and perfect games, because the opposing team can make errors. However, it will normally show as 0–0–0 (no runs, no hits, no errors) on the scoreboard.

zinger[edit]

A hard-hit line drive base hit

zip[edit]

Speed. A pitcher with a good fastball is said to have zip on the ball.

zone[edit]

  • The strike zone.
  • A pitcher is said to be "in the zone" not only by throwing strikes but by maintaining his focus and throwing pitches that get batters out. "You hear about pitchers being in the zone and stuff like that, and that's what I was doing. I was zoned in. I was throwing the right pitch every time, and until the kid got the hit, I honestly didn't even realize."[313]


See also[edit]

  • Baseball statistics
  • "Baseball" Category in the Wiktionary

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Sources[edit]

  • Paul Dickson, The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, 3rd edition. New York: W.W. Norton & Co, 2009. ISBN 9780393066814