Baseball is a complex and nuanced sport with its own unique language. Whether you're a seasoned fan or a newcomer to the game, understanding the terminology is crucial to follow the action on the field. From the basics of the game to the intricate details of the sport, we’ll help you increase your baseball vocabulary.
This comprehensive baseball glossary breaks down baseball jargon, rules, types of pitches, parts of a field, slang, statistical terms, and much more. With this easy-to-understand guide, you’ll be able to talk about the game like a seasoned pro.
General Baseball Words
Bases Empty: A situation in which there are no runners on any of the bases.
Bases Loaded: A situation in which there’s a runner on every base. This is a dangerous situation for the defending team, as it can lead to a grand slam.
Dead Ball: A situation where the ball is no longer in play. This can occur when the ball is hit out of bounds (either foul or over the outfield wall), or when the umpire calls a stop to play.
Extra Inning: A tiebreaking method. When the ninth inning ends with a tied score, another inning is added after it. This continues until an inning ends with a team in the lead. Colloquially known as “free baseball” or “bonus baseball.”
Fair Ball: A batted ball that lands (or is caught in) fair territory, either on or between the foul lines. A fair ball allows play to continue as normal.
Foul Ball: A batted ball that lands outside the foul lines. This results in a strike unless the batter already has two strikes. If a fielder catches a foul ball before it touches the ground, the result is a flyout.
Hit: When a batter hits the ball in a way that allows them to run to a base safely. To count as a hit, the ball must fall inside the field and can’t result in the batter getting out. It also can’t be due to an error or a fielder’s choice.
Inning: A unit of play in baseball, composed of two halves. A half-inning ends when the defending team gets three outs. During the next half, that team plays offense, and the other team plays defense. The two teams alternate this way for nine innings.
Lineup: An offensive team’s sequence of batters. Batters take turns at bat in order and return to the first batter when the last has gone.
Out: When a defensive player sends a batter or runner back to the dugout. When an offensive team receives three outs in a single half inning, the half ends, and they switch to defense.
Pass: When a fielder throws the ball to another player, except in the case of a pitch.
Pitching: The act of throwing the ball towards the batter in an attempt to get them out, performed by the pitcher.
Pitch Clock: A timer used in games to regulate the amount of time pitchers have to deliver a pitch, meant to speed up the game. This amount of time is 15 seconds if there are no baserunners, or 20 if there are.
Run: When a runner successfully touches home plate after advancing around the bases, which increases their team’s score. This term is equivalent to “points” in sports like football and basketball.
Seventh Inning Stretch: A tradition in which there’s a short pause in the game between the top and bottom halves of the seventh inning. In the U.S., most professional fields play the song “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during this period.
Parts of the Baseball Field
Base: One of the three square white sandbags placed around the infield. Before scoring a run, a baserunner must touch all three bases in counterclockwise order. A runner in contact with a base can’t be tagged or forced out, but no more than one runner can be in contact with a single base at the same time. If the runner can’t continue all the way home, they can stop at a base until they have a chance to advance further.
Backstop: A tall fence and/or net behind home plate that protects the audience from foul balls, wild pitches, and passed balls.
Ballpark: The stadium where the game is played, including the field and the stands.
Baseline: The lines drawn between two adjacent bases. The baselines aren’t drawn on the field, but they’re useful concepts for describing a player’s position.
Batter’s Box: One of two painted boxes to either side of home plate where the batter stands. Each batter chooses a side to stand on based on their dominant hand.
Batter's Eye: A dark background, often a black or green screen or a natural hedge, located behind the center field fence that helps the batter to see the pitched ball more clearly.
Bullpen: An area where pitchers warm up before entering the game. This isn’t technically part of the field, but relief pitchers use it to prepare for the end of a game, so it’s important to keep an eye on. This term can also refer to a team’s roster of relief pitchers.
Catcher’s Box: A painted box behind home plate where the catcher stands.
Center Field: The center portion of the outfield.
Coach’s Box: A painted box next to first or third base where the offensive team’s base coaches stand. Base coaches can leave these boxes as long as they don’t interfere with play and the defensive team doesn’t object.
Diamond: The diamond-shaped formation made by the four bases. This can also refer to the infield, or to the entire baseball field.
Fence: The fence along the back of the outfield. A hit ball that passes over it without touching the ground first is a home run. A hit ball that bounces over it is a ground-rule double. Also called the wall.
Foul Lines: The two painted lines running along either side of the field, starting from home plate and intersecting first and third base. A batted ball that doesn’t land between the foul lines is a foul ball.
Foul Poles: A pair of tall poles that extend above the end of each foul line at some fields to help umpires determine the difference between a foul ball and a home run. A ball that hits a foul pole is typically a home run.
Home Base: The five-sided, house-shaped piece of white rubber at the bottom of the diamond-shaped field. Batters stand here to swing for pitches, and runners must touch it to score after rounding the diamond. Also known as “home plate.”
Home Plate: Another name for home base, derived from the fact that, unlike the other bases, home base is a flat piece of rubber that doesn’t protrude above ground level.
Infield: The portion of a baseball field within the dirt quarter-circle, including the bases, the pitcher’s mound, and home plate.
Left Field: The left portion of the outfield.
On-Deck Circle: One of two painted circles to the far left and right of home base where the next batter stands to warm up.
Outfield: The portion of the baseball field beyond the infield, typically covered in grass or artificial turf.
Pitcher’s Mound: The dirt mound at the center of the infield where the pitcher stands. The extra elevation gives pitchers added leverage and velocity. Known colloquially as the “hill.”
Right Field: The right portion of the outfield.
Wall: Another name for the outfield fence.
Warning Track: An area of dirt and/or gravel directly in front of the fence that alerts sprinting outfielders they’re about to run into the fences.
Batting and Offensive Terms and Techniques
In baseball, batting is a crucial skill that determines how many runs a team can score. There are many different kinds of hits in baseball, each with its own unique characteristics and importance to the game. From singles and doubles to home runs, each hit can change the course of a game and impact a player's statistics. In this section, we'll explore terms related to batting and their strategic importance.
Ball: A pitch that falls outside the strike zone and isn’t swung at by the batter. If a pitcher throws four balls, the result is a walk.
Base Hit: Another term for a single.
Bunt: When a batter uses the bat to block a pitch instead of swinging at it, causing the ball to travel a very short distance. When executed well, this sends the ball on an awkward or unpredictable trajectory that confuses fielders.
Check Swing: An attempt by a batter to stop their swing before fully committing to it, usually to avoid swinging at a pitch outside the strike zone. If the batter successfully stops their swing before a certain point, it counts as though they hadn’t swung at all.
Chopper: A ball hit hard into the ground which bounces high into the air, sometimes repeatedly. Its unpredictable movements make it difficult for fielders to handle.
Choke Up: When a batter grips the bat higher on the handle, increasing control but sacrificing power. A bunt is the most extreme example of choking up.
Double: A hit that allows the batter to reach second base safely without an error or a fielder’s choice.
Foul Tip: When a batter scores a glancing blow on a pitch that doesn’t divert its path enough to stop the catcher from catching it. This results in a strike. Unlike a foul ball, it can potentially cause a strikeout.
Fly Ball: A ball hit high into the air, usually in the outfield. This frequently results in a flyout.
Flyout: When a fielder catches a fly ball or foul ball, resulting in an out.
Full Count: When a batter has accumulated three balls and two strikes. This means the next pitch will either get them on base or out unless they hit a foul ball, in which case they get another pitch.
Grand Slam: A home run hit with the bases loaded, resulting in four runs for the batting team.
Ground Ball: A ball hit along the ground. Also called a grounder.
Grounder: Another term for a ground ball.
Ground Rule Double: A batted ball that goes over the outfield fence after bouncing on the ground. This allows all runners to advance exactly two bases.
Hit and Run: A technique in which a runner starts running from first base when the pitcher begins their pitching motion, and the batter attempts to hit the ball to enable the runner to advance.
Home Run: A hit that allows the batter to circle all the bases and score a run without being stopped by a defensive player. This almost always results from a hit that clears the outfield fence. A home run is one of the most exciting plays in baseball, and typically draws loud cheers from the crowd. Also known as a “homer,” a “dinger,” or a “tater.”
Inside-the-Park Home Run: A home run that doesn’t go over the outfield fence. This is very rare and typically results from a hit that bounces around in the corner of the field.
Inside-the-Park Grand Slam: A grand slam that’s also an inside-the-park home run. This is one of the rarest and most exciting situations in baseball, and typically makes history in professional leagues.
Leading Off: When a runner on base stands forward from their base to reduce the distance they’ll have to run to the next base, making advancement easier. The further a player leads off, the greater their risk of being picked off if the pitcher notices.
Line Drive: A hard-batted ball that travels low and straight through the infield and into the outfield. Its force and speed make it hard to catch, so it often results in a single or double.
On Deck: The next batter in the lineup after the current batter.
Passed Ball: When the catcher drops a pitch that was thrown correctly. This gives the batter and runners a chance to advance to the next base, though they can still be thrown out if the catcher gains control of the ball.
Pop-Up: A fly ball to the infield. Because it’s easy to catch, this almost always results in an out. Also known as a pop fly.
Pop Fly: Another name for a pop-up.
Power Hitter: A batter known for their ability to hit the ball with great force and distance. Also known as a “heavy hitter.”
Sacrifice Bunt: When a batter bunts to advance a runner on base forward to the next base at the cost of getting themselves out.
Sacrifice Fly: When the batter hits the ball to the outfield, allowing a runner on third base to score a run by tagging up and touching home plate.
Scoring Position: Refers to a runner on second or third base. This is because these runners are likely to score a run in the event of a hit.
Slap Bunt: A type of bunt in which the batter attempts to hit the ball toward the infield by slapping the ball with a short downward motion.
Slide: When a baserunner drops their body to the ground to slide past a defender and touch a base or home plate, avoiding a tag out.
Squeeze Play: A play in which a runner on third base runs home while the batter bunts the ball, trying to surprise the defense and score a run. Also known as a squeeze bunt.
Single: A hit that allows the batter to reach first base safely without an error or a fielder’s choice. Also known as a base hit.
Stealing a Base: When a runner takes off from their base and attempts to advance to the next one without the ball being hit. If the pitcher notices, they’ll typically throw the ball to the nearest fielder, who can attempt a tag or force out. That makes stealing bases a risky strategy.
Stealing Home: When a runner attempts to steal home plate and score a run. This is difficult because home is the center of the pitcher’s attention, so it’s very rare.
Strike: A pitch that falls within the strike zone and doesn’t result in a hit, or any pitch which the batter misses on a swing. A foul ball counts as a strike as long as the batter doesn’t have two strikes already. On the third strike, the batter is out.
Strike Zone: A rectangular area over home plate. Any pitch that passes through this area is a strike, even if the batter doesn’t swing.
Strike Out: When a batter accumulates three strikes in one at-bat and is called out. This credits the pitcher with a strikeout.
Triple: A hit that allows the batter to reach third base safely without an error or a fielder’s choice.
Walk: When a batter accumulates four balls and can take first base without hitting a pitch. A pitch that hits the batter also results in a walk.
Wild Pitch: A pitch that’s so off-target that the catcher can’t catch it. When this happens, the batter and runners have the opportunity to advance (though fielders can try to get them out). If runners manage to advance, it’s considered a type of error.
Defensive Plays and Techniques
Baseball is a game of strategy and teamwork, and there are many different kinds of plays and assists that can be used to help a team win. There are endless ways for players to work together and make smart decisions on the field.
Alley: The areas of the field furthest away from the outfielders, especially on the left and right sides of the field. These are some of the best areas to place a hit that stays in the park because outfielders can’t easily cover them. Also known as a “power alley” or a “gap.”
Appeal Play: A play in which the defensive team requests the umpire to ask for help from another umpire to judge a possible violation of the rules by the offensive team.
Assist: A play made by a fielder that helps another fielder to get an out.
Caught Stealing: When a runner attempts to steal a next base, but is tagged out by the defensive team.
Cutoff: When a fielder receives a pass, then relays it along to another player. This can help fielders get the ball far across the field with more speed and precision than would be possible with a single long throw. Also known as a relay throw.
Double Play: A defensive play in which the defending team gets two outs on the same play. This is usually done by making two force plays in quick succession.
Error (E): When a fielder makes a mistake that allows a runner to advance, or which allows a batter to stay at the plate when they’d otherwise be out. Statistically, this doesn’t count as a hit.
Fielder’s Choice (FC): When an offensive player reaches a base safely because the defense attempts to get a different player out. This doesn’t count as a hit.
Fly Out: When a fielder catches a batted ball before it touches the ground, resulting in an out for the batter.
Force Out: When a runner is required to advance to the next base, and the fielder with the ball touches that base before the runner arrives, resulting in an out.
Force Play: A play in which the runner is forced to advance to the next base because the batter became a runner and must run to first base, leaving no choice for the runner. This often results in a force out.
Groundout: A common type of force out which happens when the batter hits a grounder which fielders throw to the first baseman before the batter reaches the base.
Hidden Ball Trick: When a fielder uses sleight of hand to confuse a baserunner about the ball’s location, usually to set up a tag out.
Intentional Walk: When a pitcher deliberately walks a batter to deny them a chance at hitting. Pitchers typically do this to reduce the danger posed by a strong hitter, to force a weak baserunner onto first base, or to advance the lineup to a weaker hitter who they’re confident they can get out.
Outfield Assist: When an outfielder throws the ball to a teammate who makes an out, usually at a base or at home plate.
Pickoff: When the pitcher throws the ball to a fielder, who tags out a runner who is leading off or attempting to steal a base.
Relay Throw: Another term for a cutoff.
Tag Out: When a fielder touches a baserunner with the ball, getting them out. This only works if the runner isn’t touching a base.
Triple Play: An advanced defensive play in which the defending team gets three outs in a single play, usually by making three force plays in quick succession. This spectacular play requires remarkable teamwork, speed, and precision, and it typically draws a great deal of cheering.
Wall Climb: When an outfielder jumps and climbs the outfield fence to catch a ball that would have gone over it for a home run. This is a spectacular and game-changing move, but it requires care because it can result in ankle injuries.
Wheel Play: A defensive strategy in which the infielders shift positions to defend against a possible stolen base attempt.
Pitching Terms
Pitching is an essential part of the game of baseball, and it's crucial for teams to have skilled pitchers to win. There are many different kinds of pitches in baseball, each with their unique movements and speeds, and understanding them is critical for any pitcher. From the classic fastball to the deceptive curveball and everything in between, pitches can make all the difference in a game.
Breaking Ball: A pitch that causes the ball to change trajectory, or “break,” in an attempt to deceive the batter. Breaking balls are more difficult than fastballs to catch, so pitchers hoping to use them must train heavily with their catchers.
Backdoor Slider: A slider that starts outside the strike zone and breaks back over the plate.
Brushback: A pitch thrown near a batter’s face, intended to intimidate them, make them move away from the plate, or disrupt their timing. Also known as “high and tight” or “chin music.”
Changeup (CH): A pitch thrown with the same arm motion as a fastball but with less speed, causing the batter to swing early or off-balance.
Curveball (CU): A pitch that breaks downward and to the side as it approaches the batter, making it difficult to hit.
Cutter (FC): A fastball that breaks slightly to the glove side of a right-handed pitcher or the arm side of a left-handed pitcher.
Eephus Pitch (EP): A slow, high-arcing pitch thrown with a unique grip, intended to surprise the batter with its unusual trajectory.
Forkball (FO): A pitch that’s similar to a splitter. The pitcher snaps their wrist downwards as they throw the ball, which causes it to drop dramatically over the plate. This is a fairly uncommon pitch because of the strain it puts on a pitcher’s arm.
Four-Seam Fastball (FA): A fast, straight pitch that attempts to overwhelm the batter with pure speed and force. Its simplicity and effectiveness make it the most common pitch in the game.
Inside Pitch: A pitch thrown close to the batter.
Knuckleball (KN): An advanced, low-velocity pitch with almost no spin. The lack of momentum and spin causes the ball to move erratically, making it very hard to hit when thrown properly. Because this pitch is difficult to master and easy to hit when thrown incorrectly, it’s one of the rarest pitches in baseball.
Knuckle-Curve (KC): A combination of a knuckleball and a curveball, resulting in a pitch that breaks like a curveball while moving erratically. This pitch is even more difficult than a knuckleball, making it very rare.
Offspeed Pitch: A pitch thrown with less velocity than a fastball, such as a curveball, changeup, or slider.
Outside Pitch: A pitch thrown far away from the batter.
Screwball (SC): A pitch that breaks sharply in the opposite direction of a traditional curveball, moving from left to right for a right-handed pitcher or from right to left for a left-handed pitcher. Because it requires an awkward wrist-snapping motion that strains the pitcher’s arm, it’s uncommon.
Sinker (SI): A type of fastball with a downward trajectory as it approaches the plate.
Slider (SL): A breaking pitch that moves laterally across the plate, typically thrown with a sideways rotation.
Splitter (FS): A pitch that looks like a fastball but drops suddenly just before reaching the plate.
Spitball: A now-illegal pitch in which a pitcher smears saliva or another substance on the ball to affect its movement.
Two-Seam Fastball (FT): A slightly slower type of fastball that curves slightly, making it harder for the batter to hit. It’s popular among pitchers without the strength to throw a four-seam fastball.
Baseball Positions
Baseball isn’t just about batters and pitchers. From catchers to outfielders, each position requires a specific set of skills and strengths that contribute to the team's success. Each primary fielding position has an associated number, which people familiar with the sport use as a shorthand for those players.
Base Coach: A member of a team’s coaching staff who stays in one of the coach boxes by first and third base, providing in-the-moment insights and guidance to batters and runners.
Baserunner: Players on the offensive team who are attempting to advance from one base to another. They can advance when a batter hits the ball, when they successfully steal a base, or when they’re forced to advance due to a walk. Also known as runners.
Bench Coach: A member of a team’s coaching staff who sits on the bench during games and assists the manager with in-game decisions like substitutions, defensive alignments, and pitching changes.
Catcher (2): A fielder who stands behind home plate and receives pitches from the pitcher. Catchers call pitches to help the pitcher anticipate and outwit each batter, and then catch those pitches. After a hit, catchers defend the plate from runners attempting to score. They also catch bunts and foul balls that other players can’t reach.
Center Fielder (8): The outfielder who plays in the center of the outfield.
Coach: A member of a team’s coaching staff who assists the manager and provides guidance and instruction to players during practices and games. They help players improve their skills and strategize for games. A coach in baseball is equivalent to an assistant coach in most other sports.
Designated Hitter: A player who only plays as a batter, taking the place that the pitcher would otherwise occupy in the lineup. This offsets the weak batting skills of most pitchers and gives them a chance to rest while their team is on offense.
Fielder: Any defensive player. In addition to their unique responsibilities, each fielder is responsible for catching fly balls and preventing runners from scoring.
First Baseman (3): The infielder who plays near first base. Because all runners pass first base, the first baseman is arguably the most important player after the pitcher and catcher.
Infielder: One of the fielders who play on the infield, responsible for catching throws from other players and tagging the base to get outs. Each infielder covers a large area of the field and is often involved in double plays. While pitchers and catchers are technically infielders, their responsibilities are different, and they’re often counted separately.
Left Fielder (7): The outfielder who plays in left field.
Manager: The head of a team’s coaching staff, equivalent to a head coach in other sports. The manager is in charge of strategy, lineup selection, and training. They typically delegate specific responsibilities to coaches who assist them.
Outfielder: One of three fielders who cover the outfield. They are responsible for catching fly balls and covering their particular area. They also act as a cutoff player, relaying throws from other outfielders to the infield.
Pinch Hitter: A player substituted to bat for another player in the game. This is often done to take advantage of a favorable match-up against the opposing pitcher or to give a struggling player a rest.
Pinch Runner: A player substituted into the game to run for another player. This is often done to help a power hitter who’s slow on their feet or to give an injured or tired player a chance to rest.
Pitcher (1): A fielder who throws the ball to the batter to begin each play. Pitchers are responsible for throwing pitches that will result in outs, which requires knowledge of each batter’s strengths and weaknesses. They’re also responsible for keeping an eye on runners to prevent stolen bases. A strong pitcher uses in-depth knowledge of the other team, precise technique, and excellent snap judgment to control the tempo of the game and prevent the other team from scoring. As a result, the pitcher is considered the most important and difficult position on the field. To give pitchers a chance to rest, many teams have a designated hitter to replace them on the batting lineup.
Right Fielder (9): The outfielder who plays in right field.
Relief Pitcher: A pitcher who enters the game to replace their team’s starting pitcher, typically in the middle or late innings when the starting pitcher gets tired.
Runner: Another term for a baserunner.
Second Baseman (4): The infielder who plays at second base.
Shortstop (5): The infielder who plays between second and third base. They also help defend against bunts and stolen bases.
Third Baseman (5): The infielder who plays at third base.
Umpire: A neutral official responsible for enforcing the rules of the game. They make calls on balls and strikes, fair and foul balls, and safe and out calls on the bases.
Utility Player: A player capable of playing multiple positions on the field.
Rules and Violations
Baseball is a game of rules, and it's important for players and fans alike to understand the various regulations that govern the game and the baseball terminology that explains them. Understanding these rules is essential for players to compete fairly and for fans to fully appreciate the action on the field. In this section, we'll break down the most important rules and regulations in baseball and explain why they matter.
Balk: A pitching violation that occurs when a pitcher pretends to throw a pitch in an effort to deceive a runner. If an umpire calls a balk, any runners on base can advance one base.
Doctoring the Ball: An illegal action a pitcher takes to alter the ball's flight, such as by applying foreign substances or scuffing it. The banned spitball is one common example.
Hit by Pitch: When a pitch strikes the batter, resulting in a walk. Known colloquially as getting “beaned” or “plunked.”
Infield Fly Rule: A rule which treats a pop-up to the infield as though fielders had caught it, even if they didn’t. This prevents fielders from deliberately dropping a fly ball to set up an easy double or triple play. If the umpire invokes this rule, the result is a flyout with no force plays.
Interference: When a player from either team interferes with the ability of the other team to make a play. This usually occurs on offense when the runner blocks a pass. As a penalty, umpires typically call out all players who would have been out had the interference not occurred.
Neighborhood Play: When a second baseman or shortstop receives a throw at second base, but steps off the bag before completing the catch in order to avoid being hit by an oncoming baserunner, and is only “in the neighborhood” of touching the base. While this isn’t technically a force out, some umpires rule it as one in recognition of the fact that the fielder only moved to avoid injury.
No Pitch: A situation where a pitch isn’t counted against the pitcher's record. This can occur when the pitcher makes an illegal move, a batter calls a timeout, or another rule violation is made.
Pitch Clock Violation: A penalty given to the pitcher or batter is given a penalty for wasting time. If the pitcher doesn’t start their throwing motion in the given amount of time, a ball is added to the count. If a batter isn’t ready in the given amount of time, a strike is added to the count.
Tagging Up: In the event of a flyout, a baserunner must touch their own base after fielders catch the ball before they can advance to the next base. This prevents runners from gaining a huge head start while the ball is in the air and gives fielders a chance to stop them.
Tie Goes to the Runner: A phrase referencing the rule that if a runner and the fielder arrive and touch a base at the same time, the runner is considered safe.
Timeout: A pause in play. Any player can request a timeout while the ball is dead, but it only happens if an umpire grants the request.
Baseball Equipment
From the bat to the ball to the protective gear, every piece of equipment has a specific purpose. Some baseball equipment is required for a specific position, while some is optional.
Baseball: The ball itself. A baseball is a small, hard ball made of cork or rubber and covered with leather.
Bat: A specially-designed wooden, metal, or composite club which batters use to hit pitches.
Bat Drop: A measure of the weight of a bat in relation to its length. A bat’s drop is the difference between its length in inches and its weight in ounces.
Batting Gloves: Gloves worn by batters to improve their grip on the bat and prevent blisters on their hands. These gloves provide extra cushioning and protection when hitting the ball.
Batting Helmet: A protective helmet worn by batters to protect their heads from injury. It has a hard, plastic shell with padding on the inside. It extends down over the ear that faces the pitcher when the player is at bat: Right-handed helmets cover the left ear, while left-handed helmets cover the right.
Catcher’s Gear: A set of protective equipment worn by the catcher. It typically includes a helmet, a wire mask, a chest protector, and shin guards.
Cleats: Cleats are specially-designed shoes worn by players to gain traction on the field. They have studs or spikes on the sole to provide a better grip on the grass or dirt. However, they’re banned on most artificial turf fields because they can damage the surface.
Donut: A weight that can be attached to the barrel of a bat. Batters use it during practice and in the on-deck circle to warm up with a slightly heavier bat, making the bat seem lighter by comparison.
Glove: A leather or synthetic piece of equipment fielders wear on their hands to help them catch the ball. Gloves come in different sizes and designs for different positions. Also known as a mitt.
Mitt: Another term for a baseball glove.
Uniform: The clothing worn by players during the game. It typically includes a jersey, pants, socks, and a cap. Each team has its own unique design and colors.
Turf Shoes: A type of athletic shoe worn by players on artificial turf surfaces. They have a rubber sole with small, nub-like protrusions to provide traction on the turf.
Schedules and Games
Championship: A game or series of games played at the end of a season to determine the champion of a league or division.
Doubleheader: A pair of baseball games played back-to-back on the same day between the same two teams.
Playoffs: A postseason series of games played between the top teams in a league or division. Playoffs take the form of an elimination tournament, with the two winning teams advancing to the league’s championship.
Regular Season: The part of the baseball season where teams play a scheduled number of games against their opponents to determine their rankings for the postseason.
Spring Training: The preseason period of training and exhibition games that takes place before the start of a regular season.
World Series: The best-of-seven championship series of Major League Baseball in the U.S., played each fall between the American League and National League champions.
Stats Terms
Baseball is a sport that heavily relies on statistics to evaluate players, teams, and performances. From batting averages to earned run averages, there are many different kinds of stats used in baseball to analyze and measure success.
Appearance (App): The number of times a pitcher has entered a game.
At-Bat: When a batter gets out or reaches a base due to a hit, a fielder’s choice, or an error. A walk doesn’t count as an at-bat.
Batters Faced (BF): The number of batters a pitcher has faced in a game or season.
Batting Average (BA): A player's ratio of hits to at-bats, not including walks, ranging from 1.000 to .000. In professional play, .200 is considered low, while .300 is considered excellent.
Blown Save (BS): When a relief enters a game in a save situation and fails to preserve the lead.
Complete Game (CG): A game in which a starting pitcher pitches the entire game. This is uncommon because pitching is physically taxing.
Earned Run (ER): A run that a batter scores that’s not due to an error or a passed ball.
Earned Run Average (ERA): The average number of earned runs a pitcher allows per nine innings pitched.
Games Finished (GF): The number of games a relief pitcher has finished.
Games Started (GS): The number of games a pitcher has started.
Hold (HLD): A statistic credited to a relief pitcher who enters the game in a save situation, records at least one out, and leaves the game without giving up the lead.
No-Hitter: A game in which one team doesn’t score a single hit. Throwing a no-hitter during a complete game is considered a crowning achievement for a pitcher.
Inherited Runner (IR): A runner who is already on base when a relief pitcher enters the game.
Innings Pitched (IP): The number of innings a pitcher throws in a game.
On-Base Percentage (OBP): A statistic that measures a batter's ability to reach base safely through hits, walks, or hit-by-pitches.
On-Base Plus Slugging (OPS): A statistic that combines a batter's on-base percentage and slugging percentage to give a more complete picture of a batter's offensive performance.
Perfect Game: A game in which a team doesn’t allow a single batter from the other team to reach a base by any means. This is a rare feat that makes history books.
Plate Appearance: An instance when a batter comes to the plate, regardless of the results.
Quality Start (QS): A statistic credited to a starting pitcher who throws at least six innings and allows no more than three earned runs.
Relief Win (RW): A win credited to a relief pitcher who was pitching when their team took the lead and held on to win.
Runs Batted In (RBI): The number of times a batter’s plate appearance has resulted in their team getting a run, even if the batter themselves got out.
Save (SV): A statistic credited to a relief pitcher who enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs and finishes the game without giving up the lead.
Save Opportunity (SVO): A statistic credited to a relief pitcher who enters the game with the potential to earn a save.
Save Percentage (SV%): The percentage of save opportunities that a relief pitcher successfully converts into saves.
Shutout (SHO): A game in which one team doesn’t allow the opposing team to score any runs.
Slugging Percentage (SLG): A statistic that measures how many bases a player achieves per at-bat. For this purpose, a double counts twice as much as a single, a triple counts three times as much, and a home run counts four times as much.
Strikeout (K): When a pitcher records an out by accumulating three strikes.
Walks and Hits per Inning Pitched (WHIP): A statistic that measures a pitcher's effectiveness in preventing baserunners. It is calculated by adding a pitcher's total walks and hits allowed and dividing by the total innings pitched.
Winning Percentage (WPCT): The ratio of games won to games played.
Baseball Slang
Baseball has a rich and vibrant history, and its colorful language is no exception. Over time, baseball has developed its own unique lexicon, filled with slang and jargon that is both amusing and fascinating. From "take one for the team" to "touch 'em all," baseball language has a way of capturing the essence of the game in a way that few other sports can. Whether you're a lifelong fan or a newcomer to the sport, understanding baseball slang is an important part of fully appreciating the culture and history of America's pastime.
1-2-3 Inning: A half-inning in which no batter makes it to base, drawn from the fact that this requires getting the first three batters out quickly and efficiently. Also known as “retired in order” or “three up, three down.”
Ace: A team's best starting pitcher, who is usually reserved for important games.
Around the Horn: A double or triple play in which the third baseman fields a ground ball and passes it to the second baseman, who passes it to the first baseman. This can also refer to a practice in which infielders pass the ball to each other after an out while the bases are empty to keep their arms warmed up.
At the Plate: Used to describe the current batter.
Bad-Ball Hitter: A batter who has a knack for hitting pitches that are outside the strike zone.
Bad Hop: An unpredictable bounce that a fielder can’t handle, often resulting in an error.
Bag: A base.
Baltimore Chop: A chopper that hits the ground near home plate, causing it to bounce high over infielders’ heads and giving the batter time to reach first base.
Banjo Hitter: A hitter with low swinging power who focuses on placing the ball strategically in the field.
Bang-Bang Play: A play in which the runner and the ball arrive at the base simultaneously, making it difficult for the umpire to determine if the runner is safe or out.
Basket Catch: A catch made with the glove below the waist and the palm facing up, creating a basket shape.
Beanball: A pitch intentionally thrown at the batter's head or body, with the aim of intimidating or injuring the batter.
Bloop: A weakly-hit fly ball that drops between infielders and outfielders, typically resulting in a single. Also known as a “Texas leaguer.”
Bomb: A home run hit that travels a great distance.
Bonus Baseball: An extra inning. This term was derived from the fact that the audience gets to watch more baseball than expected.
Bush League: Unprofessional, unsportsmanlike, or inferior play.
Can of Corn: A high pop fly that’s easy to catch.
Catbird Seat: A situation in which a team or player has a significant advantage over the opposing team.
Caught Looking: When a batter strikes out on a called third strike without swinging at the pitch.
Caught Napping: When a runner is picked off or caught stealing a base because they weren’t paying attention.
Chin Music: Slang for a brushback pitch.
Circus Catch: A spectacular catch made by an outfielder, often involving diving or leaping.
Cleanup Hitter: The fourth batter in a team's lineup, typically a power hitter, responsible for driving in runs once as many runners are on base as possible.
Climbing the Ladder: When a pitcher throws successive pitches with increasing velocity, often targeting the upper portion of the strike zone.
Closer: A relief pitcher who enters the game in the final inning with a narrow lead and is tasked with securing the victory.
Cookie: A pitch that’s easy to hit.
Cutoff Man: A fielder positioned between the outfielder and the infielder to receive a relay throw and redirect it to its intended target.
Cycle: A rare batting feat where a single player hits a single, a double, a triple, and a home run in a single game.
Dead Red: A fastball thrown right down the middle of the plate, easily hittable by the batter.
Dinger: A home run.
Ducks on the Pond: Refers to runners on base as "sitting ducks" waiting to be driven in by a hit.
Filthy Pitch: A pitch that’s exceptionally difficult to hit due to its movement or velocity.
Free Baseball: An extra inning, so called because the audience gets to see more action than they paid for.
Frozen Rope: A hard-hit line drive that travels straight and low over the infield.
Fungo: A light, narrow bat used by coaches to hit grounders and fly balls during practice.
Gap: Another term for an alley.
Gas: A fastball thrown with a lot of speed and velocity.
Go Long: A term runners use to encourage a batter to hit the ball deep into the outfield, giving them time to run the bases.
Goose Egg: A count of zero runs on the scoreboard.
Gopher Ball: A pitch that results in a home run for the batter.
Grandstanding: When a player shows off or tries to draw attention to themselves with excessive or unnecessary actions on the field.
Green Light: When a manager or base coach gives a batter or runner permission to play aggressively. For batters, this means they’re free to swing at any pitch they want, usually because they’re a good hitter or the pitcher is struggling. For a runner, this usually means they have permission to steal a base.
Hardball: The sport of baseball in general. Used in particular to emphasize the competitive or serious nature of the game.
Heat: Refers to a pitch thrown with a lot of velocity, usually a fastball.
Heavy Hitter: A power hitter.
High and Tight: A brushback pitch.
High Cheese/High Cheddar: A high fastball, usually thrown with a lot of velocity.
Hill: The pitcher's mound, where the pitcher stands when throwing pitches.
Hook: A curveball. Alternately, when a pitch breaks sharply downward and away from a batter.
Hot Corner: The third base position on the field, so called because there are often hard-hit line drives and ground balls hit to this area.
In the Hole: A situation when the next batter will be the third batter in the lineup.
Jam: A pitch thrown so far inside that the batter can’t extend their arms for a proper swing. Alternately, a situation for a pitcher in which there are fewer than two outs, a runner in scoring position, and a strong hitter on deck. (“The pitcher is in a jam.”)
Junk: A pitch thrown with low velocity, such as a curveball or a changeup.
Junkballer: A pitcher who primarily uses breaking pitches like curves and sliders.
Knock: Any hit by a batter, most often used for a single.
Leather: A fielder's glove.
LOOGY: Left-handed One Out GuY, or a left-handed relief pitcher brought to face a left-handed batter for just one out.
Meatball: An easy-to-hit pitch thrown right down the middle of the plate.
Mendoza Line: The low batting average of .200. Named after former Major League player Mario Mendoza, a notoriously poor hitter.
Moon Shot: A home run hit so high that it appears to reach the moon.
No-No: Slang for a no-hitter.
Northpaw: A right-handed pitcher. Derived from the fact that most baseball fields have the batter facing eastward to keep the evening sun out of their eyes, which puts the pitcher's right hand on the north side.
Nubber: A softly-hit ground ball that barely travels off the bat.
On the Ropes: When a pitcher is tired and throwing poorly. Most teams will bring in a relief pitcher at this point. Derived from boxing, in which tired players sometimes lean on the ropes to stay up.
On the Screws: A well-hit ball that connects squarely with the bat.
Out of the Park: A home run hit that travels over the outfield fence and out of the playing field. If there are stands behind the outfield fence, this may instead refer to an especially powerful home run that travels over the stands and out of the stadium entirely.
Painting the Black: When a pitcher throws a pitch on the outer edge of the plate, just barely catching the edge of the strike zone.
Painting the Corners: Similar to "painting the black," this refers to a pitcher throwing a pitch on the edge of the strike zone.
Payoff Pitch: A pitch thrown with a full count, expected to result in a “payoff” for the pitcher (an out) or for the batter (a hit or a walk).
Pea: A well-thrown pitch, often with a lot of velocity.
Pennant: A flag or banner that symbolizes a championship or victory. This can also refer to when a team wins its division and advances to the postseason.
Pitcher’s Duel: A game in which neither team scores many runs. As a result, the winner is largely determined by the performance of the two starting pitchers.
Pickle: A situation in which a baserunner is trapped between two infielders, who repeatedly throw the ball to each other in an attempt to tag the runner before they can reach a base.
Platoon: A strategy in which two players alternate playing the same position based on the handedness of the other team. Used offensively, this strategy typically matches left-handed batters to right-handed pitchers and vice versa. Used defensively, this strategy has fielders swap positions based on the batter’s handedness.
Plunked: When a batter is hit by a pitch.
Power Alley: Another term for an alley.
Punch and Judy: A low-power batter, especially one who reliably hits singles.
Punchout: Slang for a strikeout.
Retired in Order: What happens to the offensive team during a 1-2-3 inning.
Rhubarb: A heated argument or altercation between players, coaches, or managers.
Rundown: A play where a baserunner is caught between two bases and must dodge tags from fielders while trying to make it to a base safely.
Sandlot: A baseball field, especially a small field used by children.
Seeing-Eye Ball: A relatively soft hit that lands just out a fielder’s reach, as though it could “see” where it needs to go.
Seeing-Eye Single: A seeing-eye ball that results in a single.
Setup Man: A relief pitcher who enters the game before the closer and pitches to bridge the gap between the starting pitcher and the closer.
Shoestring Catch: When an outfielder dives to catch a ball just before it touches the ground.
Slugger: A power hitter who hits a lot of home runs.
Slow Roller: A term used ground ball hit with little force that travels slowly across the infield grass.
Small Ball: A methodical offensive strategy in which a team prioritizes getting runners on base and advancing them. It uses simple, reliable tactics such as stealing bases and bunting instead of going for power hits.
Southpaw: A left-handed pitcher.
Struck Out Swinging: When a batter swings at and misses a third pitch, resulting in a strikeout.
Sweet Spot: The point at the center of the bat’s barrel. This spot is most effective for power hits and transfers the least amount of shock to the batter’s hands.
Swing and a Miss: When a batter misses a pitched ball, especially when they swing hard.
Swinging for the Fences: When a batter swings hard at a pitch in an attempt to score a home run.
Take One for the Team: When a batter deliberately lets a pitch hit them to advance baserunners.
Table Setter: A player skilled at getting on base and setting up scoring opportunities for power hitters.
Tater: Slang for a home run.
Texas Leaguer: A soft fly ball that drops just beyond the infield. Also known as a “bloop.”
The Show: A nickname for Major League Baseball.
Three-Bagger: A triple.
Three Up, Three Down: Another term for a 1-2-3 inning.
Three True Outcomes: The three potential outcomes of a plate appearance: a walk, strikeout, or home run.
Tools of Ignorance: Slang for catcher’s gear.
Touch ‘em All: Slang for a home run, drawn from the fact that the batter then touches all four bases.
Twinbill: Another term for a doubleheader, referring to a pair of billings posted outside the stadium.
Twin Killing: A double play. Alternately, when a team wins both games in a doubleheader.
Two-Bagger: A double.
Ultimate Grand Slam: A term used when a player hits a home run with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning or later, resulting in a walk-off win.
Uncle Charlie: A curveball.
Walk-Off: A game-ending run that occurs in the bottom of the ninth inning or later, giving the team a lead. This results in an immediate win for the home team because the other team has no opportunity to reclaim the lead.
Warning Track Power: When a hitter hits a ball far enough to reach the warning track in the outfield, but not far enough to be a home run.
Wheelhouse: The part of the strike zone where a batter is most comfortable hitting the ball.
Wheels: A slang term for a player's speed or baserunning ability.
Whiff: When a batter swings at a pitch and misses.
Worm Burner: A hard-hit ground ball that stays close to the ground, appearing to burn the grass as it goes by.
Yakker: A slang term for a curveball with a lot of movement.