Cleanup batter: Refers to the fourth batter in the batting lineup. "Pudge hit a flare just out of the shortstop's reach.". This illustrates (1) how much larger and baggier uniforms were and (2) how much smaller the gloves were. SH: Sacrifice hits or bunts when a batter advances at least once runner with a bunt hit. On the screws: When a batter makes ideal contact. Infielder: A player whose position is either first base, second base, third base, or shortstop. Bad hop: When a groundball makes an unpredictable jump or change in direction. 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. Bad hop: A ball that bounces in front of a fielder in an unexpected way, often as a result of imperfections in the field or the spin on the ball. Checked swing: A batter checks a swing by stopping it before the bat crosses the front of home plate. So the next time you have some free time, turn on the television and start watching a professional game! "[105], A derogatory term referring to a starting pitcher who is unable to go beyond five innings before wearing out. ", A "mistake" is poor execution, as distinguished from an error. Josh Terrell, "Windsor Wins Fourth Straight; Cats Top Sox". ", The player who uses it to strike the ball a batter, hitter, or batsman can be said to, A player known as a good hitter might be said to have a, A team with many good hitters might be said to have a lot of "bats" (referring to the players not the instrument). Zach Schonbrun, "Morrow hopes to go deep vs. Rays". Southpaw: A left-hand thrower; typically, used to describe a pitcher. Triple: When a player hits the ball safely in fair play and gets to third base. The next strike or ball will end the at bat. 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". When a player makes a great fielding play, he is said to have flashed the leather., LOOGY: An acronym for Lefty One Out GuY, used to describe a left-handed relief specialist. On-deck: Refers to the next player up to bat. Eat some crab legs beforehand to give it a hint of seafood. Ground ball - A baseball that is hit on the ground. Commonly used in the National League when it is the pitchers turn to bat. 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". This is a list of common baseball lingo and jargon terms. Clear the bases: When a batter drives home/scores all runners on base. After reading this, youll be able to talk baseball with the best of them! Usually a power hitter that has the opportunity to hit with more players on base. Ultimate grand slam: A game-ending grand slam hit when the hitters team is down by exactly three runs in the final inning of play. "Alex Avila's 3-run homer rallies Tigers in 9th". GOAO: Groundouts/Fly Outs Ratio the ratio of ground outs to fly outs. Is he the best pitcher ever? E: Error when a fielder fails to convert an out that he otherwise should have. Catbird seat: When a team is in a desirable situation in a game. ". 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. Used to walk a batter on purpose or to try and catch a base stealer. Baseball That guy is swinging a big bat. only, the ball had not cleared the fence. When a batter is following his coach's advice to not bunt (never mind those runners), he is said to "swing away". Rake: A player who can hit the ball well to all areas of the field. AB: At Bats the number of times a player has been up to bat.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'baseball_tools-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_17',123,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-baseball_tools-mobile-leaderboard-1-0'); AVG/BA: Batting average the ratio of hits to at bats. Because of its large foul area (recently shrunk to add more seating), symmetrical outfield walls, and small "corners" near the foul poles, The practice of assigning two players to the same defensive position during a season, normally to complement a, "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. Yet another related statistic is "left on base in scoring position with less than two out". Full count - When the pitch count has 3 balls and 2 strikes. "Free" because the batter does not have to hit the ball to get on base. This rule is designed to allow catchers and pitchers the ability to field bunts and throw the batter-runner out without having to worry about the batter-runner intentionally or unintentionally interfering with the throw. If the batter is ahead, the pitcher is in increasing danger of walking him. a baseball infielder whose position is between second and third base. Similarly, with metal bats, the outfielders have to learn to distinguish a "ping" from a "plunk". A position player who's a regular in the starting line-up in virtually every game, as opposed to either: a substitute who begins most games on the bench or only occasionally starts games to spell the regular starting player at his position. The first batter in an inning (who could be in any hole on a team's line-up card). GF: Games Finished the number of games where the pitcher is the last pitcher to pitch for his team. From the theatrical term. within the Anabolic Steroids category. Shoestring catch: A running catch made near a fielders feet. The New Dickson Baseball Dictionary Paperback - January 1, 1999 by Paul Dickson (Author) 14 ratings Hardcover $45.00 14 Used from $7.92 4 New from $40.69 1 Collectible from $9.59 Paperback $6.96 13 Used from $5.43 3 New from $44.00 To throw hard. The term is sometimes used to describe a player who is good at both offense and defense: "Manager. A fielder who puts an extra flourish on his movements while making a play in hopes of gaining the approval of the spectators. Bat: Equipment the batter uses to strike the ball. A team shuts out its opponent when it prevents them from scoring any runs in a given game. SB%: Stolen-base percentage the number of times a player successfully steals a base to the number of steal attempts. A baserunner easily thrown out at a base. Synonymous with "nasty". This site is owned and operated by Coaching Kidz. L: Losses the number of games pitched that resulted in a loss. 1992 - Serving a two year sentance for a small stint. Line drive: A ball that is hard-hit and appears to be hit in a straight line. This is typically what the closer (closing pitcher) is brought into the game for. When a batter swings at a pitch that is inside and the ball hits the bat close to his fists (hands). Closer: A relief pitcher that is regularly used to finish games. More Idioms/Phrases Array a sure thing a sweet tooth a takeoff on a talking to a tall one a tempest in a teapot a thorn in my side a three-bagger a three-bagger (baseball) a tich a token gesture a tongue-lashing a total stranger a touch of a tough act to follow a tough call a tough row to hoe Outfielders often use the sound of bat-meeting-ball as a clue to how far a ball has been hit. 2023. The show: A nickname for Major League Baseball. blowjobs) G/GP: Games/Games Played the number of times a player has appeared in a game. A Gap AFC East AFC North AFC South AFC West Air Raid Offense Air Yards All-Pro Luke Appling was said to be the king of "fouling them off". Breaking ball: A pitch thrown with movement, usually sideways or downward. Buster Olney, "Howard Became a Star After Fixing a Hole in His Swing". If first base is not occupied at the time (or, with two outs, even with first base occupied), the batter can then attempt to reach first base prior to being tagged or thrown out. "Double-A" (AA) is the second-highest level of. Off-speed pitch: A pitch that is significantly slower than a given pitchers fastball. after being struck by the bat but before touching the catcher's mitt. Hitting a ball here will produce the most solid contact possible. From the hockey term for how a puck is advanced past the goalie ("through the five hole"). This line is also used to decide whether a pickoff move is legal or a balk. Base knock: Another term for hitting a single. 19. BF/TBF/BFP: Batters Faced the number of batters who have faced the pitcher. To hit the ball hard, typically for an extra-base hit. The foul pole is a vertical extension of the foul line. Around the horn: The act of infielders throwing the ball to each other after recording an out (if there are no runners on base). A count of 3 balls and 2 strikes; another strike will result in a strikeout, while another ball will result in a walk. Battery: The battery includes two baseball players, the pitcher and the catcher. "Tigers cut Rangers' ALCS lead to 2-1 as Miguel Cabrera backs Doug Fister". CS: Caught stealing when a runner tries to steal a base but is tagged out before reaching the base. Also called extra frames.. Typically done when the batter has two strikes against them. Changeup: A slow pitch that is meant to look much faster. Curtain call: As in theater, when a players performance causes such excitement from the audience that he returns from the dugout to tip his cap or wave. Stolen base: When a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate. Have you ever been watching a baseball game and overheard some words or phrases that you didnt understand? A pitcher and catcher from the same team are known as battery mates., Beaned: When a pitcher throws a pitch to hit the batter intentionally (if they do not move out of the way) is known as beaning a hitter. Lay out for it!. Fishing: When a batter swings at a pitch that is out of the strike zone they are said to have gone fishing for it. Ryan Thorburg, "Rockies Play Hardball vs. Yanks". "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. Capacity crowd; all seats filled in the stadium. The stretch is most commonly used when there are base runners on first or second base. For example, on July 22, 2007, To sign a player to a long-term contract, thereby keeping him off the free-agent market. Battery or Battermates: A pitcher and catcher pair. Dead-red: When a batter is waiting on or expecting a fastball to be thrown. Texas Leaguer: A softly hit ball that lands fairly in the outfield usually landing just out of reach of an infielder going into shallow outfield in attempt to catch the ball. Dead red: When a hitter is looking for a specific pitch, receives it and takes advantage of it. The pitch is considered not cleanly caught if the ball touches the dirt before being caught, or if the ball is dropped immediately after being caught. When a fan or any person not associated with one of the teams alters play in progress (in the judgment of an umpire), it is fan interference. Barrel it up: Refers to the action of hitting a pitch hard with the sweet spot of the baseball bat. Attempting a home run is to "swing for the fences". The leather cover on the baseball (which is now usually made of cowhide, not horsehide). The intent of these statistics is to measure the tendency of a team or player to waste opportunities to score. He is also a founding father of the field of baseball research called sabermetrics. It is also not considered a foul tip if it rebounds off something, like the ground, catcher's mask, the batter, etc. The one time the Fall Classic was actually played in the summer was 1918, when the season was curtailed due to World War I and the Series was played in early September. Another of the various forms of "out the ass". Usually a result of an argument between player/coach and an umpire. These were formerly known as "ten o'clock hitters" or "two-o'clock hitters" back when there were no night games. Also called a no-no.. Set-up pitcher: A relief pitcher who is consistently used immediately before the closer.