List of definitions of terms and concepts used in baseball
Esta es una lista alfabética de términos, frases y otra jerga no oficiales y especializados utilizados en el béisbol , junto con sus definiciones, incluidos ejemplos ilustrativos de muchas entradas.
0–9
0
"Ah, y..." Ver recuento.
1
El número 1 en béisbol se refiere a la posición del lanzador, una señal abreviada para lanzar a primera, un solo hit y una señal de bola rápida.
1-2-3 entrada
Entrada en la que un lanzador se enfrenta a sólo tres bateadores y ninguno llega a una base con seguridad. "Tres arriba, tres abajo".
1-2-3 doble juego
Doble jugada en la que el lanzador (1) fildea una pelota bateada y lanza al receptor (2), quien retira a un corredor que avanza desde tercera. El receptor luego lanza al primera base (3) para forzar el out del bateador. Estas jugadas casi siempre ocurren con las bases llenas.
1-6-3 doble play
El lanzador (1) atrapa una pelota bateada y lanza al campocorto (6) para forzar el out de un corredor que avanza a segunda. El campocorto luego lanza al primera base (3) para forzar el out del bateador.
2
El receptor (2) recibe un llamado de "¡Dos!" para tiros a segunda, un "dos-bagger" es un doble, y el número 2 señala una bola curva.
2–2–2 (2 bolas, 2 strikes, 2 outs)
Ver Deuces Wild.
Escala 20–80
Los cazatalentos de la MLB utilizan una escala de 20 a 80 para calificar a los jugadores: 50 es promedio (nivel de la MLB), 20 es muy bajo y 80 es élite. Se aplica a la capacidad general y a habilidades específicas como la velocidad de bateo o de lanzamiento. [1]
3
El primera base (3) recibe tiros con gritos de "¡Tres!", atrapa a los corredores que intentan triples ("three-baggers") y el número 3 puede señalar un slider del lanzador.
3-2-3 doble juego
El primera base (3) atrapa una pelota bateada y lanza al receptor (2), quien retira a un corredor que avanza desde tercera y luego lanza de vuelta al primera base para forzar el out del bateador. Esto casi siempre ocurre con las bases llenas.
3-6 doble play
El primera base (3) atrapa una pelota bateada, pisa la primera base (para forzar al bateador a salir) y luego lanza al campocorto (6), quien toca a un corredor. Otra posibilidad es una línea atrapada por el primera base, quien lanza al campocorto, quien luego pisa la segunda base para un segundo out.
3-6-1 doble play
El primera base (3) atrapa una pelota bateada y lanza al campocorto (6) para forzar el out de un corredor en segunda. El campocorto luego lanza al lanzador (1) (que ahora está cubriendo la primera base porque el primera base estaba ocupado atrapando la pelota) para forzar el out del bateador.
3-4-3 doble juego
El primera base (3) atrapa una pelota bateada y lanza al segunda base (4) para forzar el out de un corredor en segunda. El segunda base luego lanza de vuelta al primera base para forzar el out del bateador.
3-6-3 doble play
El primera base (3) atrapa una pelota bateada y lanza al campocorto (6) para forzar el out de un corredor en segunda. El campocorto luego lanza de vuelta al primera base para forzar el out del bateador.
4
El segunda base, en abreviatura de anotación.
Un grito de "¡Cuatro!" indica que la pelota debe ser lanzada al plato de home.
Un "four-bagger" es un jonrón.
En el contexto del lanzamiento, el número 4 es una señal común (y un apodo) para un cambio de velocidad.
4-6-3 doble play
El segunda base (4) fildea una pelota bateada y lanza al campocorto (6), quien fuerza a un corredor en segunda y luego lanza al primera base (3) para forzar out al bateador.
Línea de 45 pies
La línea de 45 pies en el béisbol marca el área en la que un bateador-corredor debe permanecer para evitar ser declarado out por interferir cuando corre hacia la primera base.
4 anchos
Cuatro lanzamientos consecutivos deliberadamente fuera de la zona de strike. El predicador Roe resumió esta estrategia a Stan Musial como "Le lanzo cuatro lanzamientos fuera de la zona de strike y trato de sacarlo en primera". [2]
5
El tercera base, en abreviatura de registro de anotaciones.
5 hoyos
Entre las piernas de un jugador (en particular, las del receptor). Del término del hockey que se utiliza para referirse a cómo se hace avanzar un disco más allá del portero ("a través del quinto agujero").
5,6 hoyos
El espacio entre el tercera base (5) y el campocorto (6).
Se hizo famoso gracias al campeón perenne de bateo Tony Gwynn de los Padres de San Diego como su descripción de dónde le gustaba golpear la pelota de béisbol. [3]
5-4-3 doble juego
El tercera base (5) atrapa una pelota bateada y lanza al segunda base (4) para forzar el out de un corredor que avanza desde primera. El segunda base luego lanza al primera base (3) para forzar el out del bateador.
5-4-3 triple play
El tercera base (5) atrapa una pelota golpeada con fuerza y pisa tercera para forzar out a R2 (6), luego lanza un rayo láser al segunda base (4) para forzar out a R1 (7) en segunda. Finalmente, el segunda base (4) lanza la pelota al primera base (3) para completar la doble jugada retirando al bateador (2).
El campocorto (6) fildea una pelota bateada y lanza al segunda base (4), quien fuerza a un corredor que avanza desde primera y luego lanza al primera base (3) para forzar out al bateador.
7
El jardinero izquierdo, en taquigrafía.
Doble play 7-2, 8-2 o 9-2
Un jardinero atrapa una pelota y un corredor intenta tocar la pelota y anotar desde tercera, pero el receptor lo pone out.
8
El jardinero central, en abreviatura de anotación.
9
El jardinero derecho, en taquigrafía.
9 a 0
El puntaje oficial de un juego perdido en las Grandes Ligas de Béisbol.
12–6
Un tipo de bola curva, cuyo movimiento evoca las manecillas de un reloj.
Club 30-30
Jugadores que conectan 30 jonrones y roban 30 bases en una sola temporada.
Club 40-40
Jugadores que conectan 40 jonrones y roban 40 bases en una sola temporada.
Club 50-50
Jugadores que conectan 50 jonrones y roban 50 bases en una sola temporada.
55 pies
Un término peyorativo para un lanzamiento que rebota antes de los 60+1 ⁄ 2 pie entre la goma de lanzamiento y el plato.
90 pies
Cuando un corredor avanza una base, "avanza 90 pies", es decir, la distancia entre bases sucesivas. Un corredor en tercera base está "a 90 pies" de anotar.
"AA" es también la abreviatura de la Asociación Americana, que ha sido el nombre de numerosas ligas profesionales de béisbol: una liga mayor de corta duración del siglo XIX, una liga menor durante gran parte del siglo XX y una liga menor independiente que se convirtió en una "Liga asociada" de las Grandes Ligas de Béisbol en 2021.
"Jugador de la categoría Cuatro" (o "jugador de la categoría Cuádruple A") es un término que se utiliza para referirse a un jugador de ligas menores que tiene éxito de manera constante en las ligas menores superiores ( AAA ), pero que no puede traducirlo en éxito en el nivel de las grandes ligas. La mala gestión puede ser responsable. [10] "AAAA" también puede referirse informalmente a ligas de béisbol extranjeras de alta calidad pero no afiliadas fuera de Norteamérica , donde el juego se considera menos competitivo que en la MLB pero más competitivo que en la AAA; esto generalmente se limita a describir la NPB de Japón . [11] [12] [13]
a bordo
Cuando un corredor está en base. Cuando hay corredores a salvo en base, hay "corredores a bordo".
as
El mejor lanzador abridor del equipo, que generalmente es el primero en la rotación de lanzadores.
Avanzar un corredor
A menudo, la estrategia consciente de un equipo que juega con pelota pequeña es mover a un corredor que está adelante de manera segura a otra base. Si un bateador logra un out, su aparición en el plato habrá sido menos negativa si logró colocar a un corredor en posición de anotar; en ciertas situaciones, los bateadores incluso se sacrifican deliberadamente .
por delante en el conteo
Término que indica si el bateador o el lanzador tienen la ventaja en un turno al bate. Si un lanzador ha lanzado más strikes que bolas a un bateador en un turno al bate, el lanzador está por delante en el conteo; por el contrario, si el lanzador ha lanzado más bolas que strikes, el bateador está por delante.
Si el lanzador va por delante en el conteo, el bateador corre cada vez más peligro de poncharse. Si el bateador va por delante, el lanzador corre cada vez más peligro de darle base por bolas.
Apunta la pelota
A veces, cuando un lanzador intenta controlar con demasiado cuidado la ubicación de un lanzamiento, se dice que "apunta la pelota" en lugar de lanzarla. Este es un significado diferente de "apuntar" de la situación en la que un lanzador apunta un lanzamiento hacia un bateador en un intento de golpearlo.
Argot para referirse al tiro errado de un fildeador que vuela alto sobre el jugador al que pretendía lanzar la pelota. Por ejemplo, si el tercera base lanzara la pelota por encima de la cabeza del primera base y hacia las gradas, se dice que hizo un "airmail" con el tiro. "Pero Chandler hizo un airmail con su tiro a tercera hacia el dugout ..."
explosión de alabastro
Acuñado por el locutor de los Piratas de Pittsburgh, Bob Prince, un golpe de Baltimore rebotaría más alto de lo normal debido a la tierra extraordinariamente dura del Forbes Field.
callejón
También se denomina "espacio libre" o "callejón de poder", el espacio entre el jardinero izquierdo y el jardinero central, o entre el jardinero derecho y el jardinero central. Si un bateador golpea la pelota "por el callejón" con suficiente fuerza, tiene más posibilidades de avanzar más allá de la primera base y de que se le acredite un hit de extrabase. Por lo general, este es un término apropiado para describir un batazo de línea o un rodado; los elevados que golpean la pared normalmente no se describen de esta manera.
emboscada
Hacer swing (y especialmente pegarle) al primer lanzamiento.
La serie final de playoffs al mejor de siete de la temporada que determina el equipo de la Liga Americana que avanzará a la Serie Mundial . La ALCS, al igual que su análoga, la NLCS , nació en 1969. El ganador de la ALCS se lleva el banderín de la Liga Americana y el título de campeón de la Liga Americana de esa temporada. Los ganadores de la Serie Divisional de la Liga Americana se han enfrentado en la ALCS desde 1995.
Serie Divisional de la Liga Americana (ALDS)
Primera ronda de los playoffs de la liga. Los ganadores de las tres divisiones y el ganador del juego de comodines se enfrentarán en dos series al mejor de cinco, cuyos ganadores avanzarán a la ALCS.
Annie Oakley
Un boleto gratuito para asistir a un partido de béisbol o para la primera base (un "pase libre" o "base por bolas").
juego de apelación
Una jugada en la que la defensa tiene la oportunidad de obtener una decisión favorable de un árbitro al corregir un error de la ofensiva o al solicitar la opinión de otro árbitro. Las apelaciones requieren que la defensa presente una apelación verbal a un árbitro apropiado o, si la situación que se está apelando es obvia, un jugador puede indicar una apelación con un gesto. La responsabilidad de presentar una apelación recae sobre la defensa; los árbitros no anunciarán posibles situaciones de apelación, como corredores que no tocan una base, bateo fuera de orden o swings no controlados hasta que se presente una apelación.
Liga de Otoño de Arizona (AFL)
Liga menor de temporada corta en la que los jugadores de alto nivel de los treinta clubes de las Grandes Ligas de Béisbol se organizan en seis equipos en los que tienen la oportunidad de perfeccionar y mostrar sus habilidades para que sean evaluadas por entrenadores, cazatalentos y ejecutivos. Estos equipos se conocen como "equipos de cazatalentos" y "equipos de taxi".
brazo
Un metonimia para un lanzador ("Los A's intercambian dos brazos jóvenes a Kansas City ...", [14] "... Anthopoulos simplemente está acumulando brazos en un intento de atraer un intercambio ..." [15] ).
alrededor del cuerno
Busque alrededor del Cuerno de África en Wikcionario, el diccionario libre.
La práctica de los jugadores del cuadro interior de lanzarse la pelota entre sí después de registrar un out , siempre que no haya corredores en base. El propósito es tan tradicional como cualquier otra cosa, pero sirve como una forma de celebrar el out. Por lo general, si se realiza un out en la primera base, el primera base lanzará al campocorto , quien lanza al segunda base , quien lanza al tercera base , quien devuelve la pelota al lanzador . Los patrones varían de un equipo a otro, pero el tercera base suele ser el último jugador del cuadro interior en recibir un lanzamiento, independientemente del patrón.
El lanzamiento de la pelota alrededor del cuerno también se realiza después de un ponche sin corredores en base. El receptor lanzará la pelota al tercera base, quien luego la lanza al segunda base, quien la lanza al campocorto, quien luego la lanza al primera base. Algunos receptores, como Iván Rodríguez , prefieren lanzar la pelota al primera base, quien luego comienza el proceso a la inversa. Algunos receptores determinan a quién lanzarán según la mano del bateador (a primera para un bateador diestro porque la línea al primera base no está bloqueada y viceversa) o si el equipo está en un overshift, cuando el tercera base estaría jugando cerca de donde normalmente juega el campocorto y requeriría un tiro más difícil para ser alcanzado.
Un lanzador de relevo ineficaz . Generalmente es un lanzador que entra al juego sin nadie en base pero que procede a permitir varias carreras. Lo opuesto de bombero .
ceniza
Una palabra antigua que se refiere a un bate de béisbol, que normalmente está hecho de madera de fresno. "El entrenador astuto sustituye a un corredor rápido por uno lento y envía a un bateador emergente cuando el hombre que elimina es tan bueno con el fresno como el hombre que envía". [16]
aspirina
Argot para una bola rápida que es especialmente difícil de batear debido a su velocidad y/o movimiento, en referencia a la dificultad de hacer contacto con algo tan pequeño como una pastilla de aspirina . También puede hacer referencia a los bateadores que ven una bola lanzada como relativamente más pequeña de lo normal, un posible efecto psicológico en los bateadores que están en una mala racha . [17] [18]
asistir
El anotador oficial otorga una asistencia a cada jugador defensivo que fildea o toca la pelota (después de que el bateador la haya golpeado) antes de un out, incluso si el contacto no fue intencional. Por ejemplo, si una pelota golpea la pierna de un jugador y rebota en él hacia otro fildeador, que toca al corredor de base, se le acredita una asistencia al primer jugador.
Un fildeador puede recibir solo una asistencia por out registrado. Un fildeador también recibe una asistencia si se hubiera producido un out si otro fildeador no hubiera cometido un error.
equipo asociado
En el béisbol de las ligas negras , un equipo al que no se le otorgó la membresía de la liga o no aceptó jugar un calendario de liga, pero los juegos jugados por equipos de la liga contra este equipo aún contarán en la clasificación de la liga.
asterisco
Término coloquial que designa un récord de béisbol y que es objeto de controversia en la opinión popular (es decir, de manera extraoficial) debido a la percepción de que el poseedor del récord tenía una ventaja injusta al lograrlo. Implica que el récord requiere una nota al pie que explique la supuesta ventaja injusta, siendo el asterisco un símbolo que se utiliza comúnmente en tipografía para señalar las notas al pie. En los últimos tiempos se ha utilizado de forma destacada en las siguientes circunstancias:
Se cree ampliamente que el poseedor del récord usó drogas para mejorar el rendimiento , independientemente de si dicho uso está probado o admitido. Barry Bonds fue recibido regularmente con pancartas y carteles con un asterisco durante la temporada 2007, cuando rompió el récord de jonrones de Hank Aaron . La pelota que Bonds bateó para el jonrón récord fue posteriormente marcada con un asterisco antes de ser enviada al Salón de la Fama del Béisbol.
Un poseedor de un récord en una sola temporada logró la hazaña en una temporada más larga y, por lo tanto, tuvo oportunidades adicionales para romper el récord. Un ejemplo bien conocido de esto fue cuando Roger Maris rompió el récord de jonrones en una temporada de Babe Ruth en el último día de una temporada regular de 162 juegos en 1961, mientras que Ruth estableció el récord anterior en una temporada de 154 juegos en 1927; el uso del asterisco se ejemplifica en el título de la película 61* , que trataba sobre la búsqueda de Maris para romper el récord de Ruth. El comisionado de béisbol Ford Frick declaró que el récord de Maris debería aparecer separado del de Ruth (contrariamente a la creencia popular, no se mencionó ni se usó ningún asterisco en este caso), una decisión que no se revirtió formalmente hasta 1991.
El campeonato de la Serie Mundial de 2017 de los Houston Astros , que luego se vio empañado por acusaciones de que los Astros usaron tecnología para robar señales durante la temporada 2017. Los fanáticos de los equipos oponentes, especialmente los Yankees y los Dodgers , emplean con frecuencia el uso de asteriscos cuando hacen referencia a la temporada del equipo en 2017, a menudo llamando al equipo de manera despectiva los "Asteriscos de Houston".
En el baile
o "bola atómica"; jerga para referirse a una pelota lanzada directamente contra un defensor.
Ocasionalmente, un bateador puede estar en el plato cuando se realiza el tercer out de la entrada contra un corredor en base; en este caso, el bateador comenzará la siguiente entrada con un conteo de strikes limpio y su aparición interrumpida en el plato no se cuenta como un turno al bate.
En las letras
Un lanzamiento que cruza el plato a la altura de las letras del nombre del equipo en la camiseta del uniforme del bateador se dice que está "a la altura de las letras", "a la altura de las letras" o "a la altura del pecho".
se lo comió
Expresión del argot que designa la acción de una pelota bateada que resulta difícil de manejar para un fildeador.
se comió la pelota
Ver: come la pelota
atacar la zona de strike
Argot para referirse a lanzar agresivamente lanzando strikes, en lugar de intentar engañar a los bateadores para que hagan swing a lanzamientos fuera de la zona de strike o para que intenten "mordisquear las esquinas" del plato. Frases equivalentes son "golpear la zona de strike" y "desafiar a los bateadores".
doble automático
Una pelota bateada en territorio válido que rebota fuera de juego (por ejemplo, en los asientos) da derecho al bateador y a todos los corredores en base a avanzar dos bases, pero no más. Algunos comentaristas utilizan este término en lugar de la regla básica doble , que se refiere a las reglas básicas vigentes en cada estadio.
Huelga automática
Un strike se considera "automático" cuando el lanzador ejecuta un strike (normalmente en un conteo de 3-0) con tanta confianza que el bateador recibe el lanzamiento sin intentar golpearlo.
Desde 2023 en MLB, a un bateador se le aplica un strike automático si no está en la caja de bateo y alerta al lanzador cuando quedan al menos 8 segundos en el reloj de lanzamiento.
lejos
Un lanzamiento fuera de la zona de strike, en el lado opuesto del plato que el bateador, se conoce como "lejos", en contraste a un lanzamiento realizado entre el plato y el bateador que se conoce como "dentro".
Argot para outs. Por ejemplo, una entrada con dos outs puede decirse que es "dos outs"; un ponche puede decirse que es "eliminar" al bateador.
Los partidos que se juegan en el campo del oponente se denominan "partidos de visitante". El equipo visitante a veces se denomina "equipo visitante".
B
bola rompiente de puerta trasera
Un lanzamiento rompiente, generalmente un slider , una bola curva o una bola rápida cortada que, debido a su movimiento lateral, pasa por una pequeña parte de la zona de strike en el borde exterior del plato después de parecer que no lo alcanzaría. Es posible que no cruce el frente del plato sino solo la parte posterior y, por lo tanto, haya entrado por la "puerta trasera". Un slider es la versión más común, porque un slider tiene más movimiento lateral que otros lanzamientos rompientes (se curva hacia abajo y se "desliza" a través de la zona).
barrera
La valla detrás del home plate, diseñada para proteger a los espectadores de lanzamientos descontrolados o bolas de falta.
Consecutivos. Cuando dos bateadores consecutivos conectan jonrones, se dice que conectan jonrones consecutivos . O un lanzador puede conceder bases por bolas consecutivas, y así sucesivamente.
respaldo
Lo opuesto de "backdoor". Generalmente se trata de un error, un lanzamiento que comienza dentro del plato y se desvía hacia atrás. Se dice que un lanzamiento que hace esto ha "retrocedido".
bateador de mala calidad
Un bateador que se destaca por batear lanzamientos que están fuera de la zona de strike. Entre los bateadores con mala pelota más conocidos se encuentran Yogi Berra y Vladimir Guerrero .
Mal salto
Una pelota que rebota frente a un jugador del cuadro interior de manera inesperada, a menudo como resultado de imperfecciones en la superficie de juego o en el giro de la pelota.
bolsa
Una base. Además, un doble es un hit o hit de dos bases; un triple es un hit o hit de tres bases; un cuádruple es un jonrón.
fianza
Un bateador que ve un lanzamiento que viene hacia su cabeza puede "saltar" (caer al suelo).
Cuando dos fildeadores convergen en una pelota elevada, uno de ellos puede "saltar" para evitar chocar con el otro.
Un lanzador de relevo puede entrar al juego con hombres en base y sacar al lanzador anterior de un apuro.
Si bien los primeros dos ejemplos son análogos a saltar de un avión en paracaídas, el último es similar a saltar de un barco que está a punto de hundirse, o tal vez a sacar a alguien de la cárcel.
obstáculo
Una decisión tomada por un árbitro contra un movimiento de lanzamiento que viola las reglas destinadas a evitar que el lanzador engañe injustamente a un corredor de base. Cuando se canta un balk, cada corredor puede avanzar libremente una base. En el béisbol profesional, un balk no resulta instantáneamente en una bola muerta. Si se lanza un lanzamiento y todos los corredores avanzan una base debido a un hit, el juego continúa y el balk se ignora. Esto rara vez ocurre porque cuando se canta el balk, el lanzador normalmente detiene su lanzamiento y el árbitro declara la bola muerta y otorga las bases. En el béisbol no profesional (escuela secundaria y universidad), un balk resulta instantáneamente en una bola muerta y los corredores obtienen sus bases. Las reglas especifican qué movimientos de lanzamiento son ilegales. Los comúnmente llamados balks son el fracaso del lanzador para llegar a una posición establecida (o llegar a establecerse varias veces) o el fracaso de dar un paso en la dirección de la base hacia la que está lanzando. El espíritu de un balk es que ciertos movimientos significan que el lanzador ha comenzado el lanzamiento, por lo que el corredor no puede ser eliminado. Algunos balks son resultado de movimientos erróneos o fallidos, como cuando la pelota se le resbala de las manos al lanzador. Mucho más raro es el balk del receptor , cuando el receptor se mueve desde atrás del área del plato antes de que el lanzador comience su lanzamiento (aplicable solo durante una base por bolas intencional).
pelota
Un lanzamiento que no toca la zona de strike y el bateador no le hace swing. (Para el objeto físico utilizado en el juego, véase béisbol (pelota) ).
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Una pelota golpeada con fuerza contra el suelo cerca del plato, produciendo un rebote muy por encima de la cabeza de un fildeador. [19] Esto le da tiempo al bateador para llegar a la primera base de manera segura antes de que la pelota pueda ser fildeada. Un elemento importante de la estrategia de " béisbol interno " del entrenador de los Baltimore Orioles , John McGraw , la técnica se popularizó durante la era de la bola muerta de las Grandes Ligas de Béisbol , durante la cual los equipos de béisbol no podían confiar en el jonrón. [20]
Para darle el máximo rebote a un chop de Baltimore, el jardinero de los Orioles, Tom Murphy, presionó la tierra firmemente alrededor del plato, la mezcló con arcilla dura y dejó el cuadro interior sin regar. [21] Los jugadores veloces de los Orioles como McGraw, Joe Kelley , Steve Brodie y Willie Keeler fueron los que más lo practicaron y perfeccionaron.
En el béisbol moderno, el golpe de Baltimore es mucho menos común y suele producirse cuando un bateador golpea la pelota accidentalmente. El resultado a veces es más pronunciado en los diamantes con césped artificial . La técnica todavía se utiliza en el sóftbol . [22]
tallo de plátano
Un bate fabricado con un tipo de madera de calidad inferior y baja. [23] Véase también #diario matutino
Cancelación de un partido por mal tiempo: "Pensé que nos íbamos a golpear pero pudimos jugar cinco entradas".
Golpear la pelota con fuerza, especialmente para pegar un jonrón. " Utley pegó el jonrón que empató el juego".
Los jugadores que están lastimados están lesionados, pero pueden seguir jugando. Ejemplo: "Los Bravos, lastimados, están listos para la revancha de los playoffs con los Astros".
Un partido espectacular es un partido emocionante o reñido. Ejemplo de un titular deportivo: "Un final espectacular".
Una jugada bang bang es aquella en la que el corredor es eliminado por poco, una jugada muy reñida, generalmente en la primera base. Tal vez refleje el "bang" de la pelota en el guante del primera base seguido inmediatamente por el "bang" del pie del corredor de base al golpear la base.
"Bang it Inside" es cuando un lanzador lanza hacia el interior del plato y el bateador no puede extender sus brazos lo suficiente para golpear la pelota, que va "bang" hacia el guante del receptor. "Fue una sensación increíble y una sensación que nunca olvidaré", dijo Giavotella . " Scherzer estuvo tratando de llegar a mí todo el día. Me estaba golpeando hacia adentro y no podía extender mis manos. Supongo que falló sobre el plato esa vez y metí mis manos hacia adentro y la levanté rápidamente y salió volando del parque". [24]
bateador de banjo
Un bateador que carece de potencia. Un bateador de banjo generalmente conecta sencillos que se mueven hacia arriba, a menudo justo por encima de la tierra del cuadro interior, y tendría un bajo porcentaje de slugging. Se dice que el nombre proviene del sonido vibrante del bate al hacer contacto, como el de un banjo . Véase también bateador Punch and Judy .
con las manos desnudas
Se refiere a cuando un fildeador atrapa una pelota con la mano que no está cubierta por su guante.
barril
Métrica avanzada que mide las veces que un bateador golpea la pelota en determinados ángulos de lanzamiento y con determinadas velocidades de salida. Los barriles tienen más probabilidades de producir hits, en particular hits de extrabase, que los que no lo son.
barril arriba
En el béisbol moderno, se refiere a golpear un lanzamiento con fuerza con el punto justo del bate de béisbol.
Ver punto dulce.
golpe de base
Ver golpe.
golpe de base
Un solo. Véase también golpes.
Annie del béisbol
" Groupie " femenina conocida por "ser fácil" para los jugadores de béisbol. Susan Sarandon interpretó un papel similar como el personaje de Annie Savoy en la película estadounidense de 1988 " Bull Durham ".
La infame Ruth Ann Steinhagen fue la primera "Baseball Annie". Se obsesionó con el primera base de los Cachorros y luego de los Filis, Eddie Waitkus . Le disparó en el pecho y casi lo mata en 1949. Esta historia inspiró la novela de 1952 The Natural .
bases llenas
Corredores en primera, segunda y tercera base. También conocido como " bases llenas ", " bases repletas ", " bases atascadas ", " bases sucias ", " bases tiradas " o " bases borrachas ". Esto presenta una gran oportunidad de anotar para el equipo que batea , pero también presenta una fácil oportunidad de doble play para la defensa . Hacer que las bases se llenen se llama llenar las bases . A menudo, se da base por bolas intencionalmente a un bateador cuando hay corredores en la segunda y tercera base para facilitar que la defensa registre más de un out.
Una situación de bases llenas es el único momento en el que hay una fuerza en el plato de home .
Cuando se batea un jonrón con las bases llenas, se denomina grand slam . Anota cuatro carreras, que es la mayor cantidad de carreras que se pueden anotar en una sola jugada.
sótano
Último lugar, último de la clasificación. También último lugar.
corredor de base
Un corredor de base (abreviado como "corredor") es un jugador del equipo ofensivo (es decir, el equipo al bate) que ha llegado sano y salvo a la base .
captura de canasta
Atrapar una pelota con el guante situado aproximadamente a la altura de la cintura, en lugar de con las manos situadas por encima de los hombros.
murciélago
Un bate de béisbol es una varilla de madera o metal redonda y de contorno liso que se utiliza para golpear la pelota lanzada por el lanzador . El diámetro de un bate es mayor en un extremo ( el extremo del barril ) que en el otro ( el mango ). El extremo inferior del mango es la perilla . Un bateador generalmente intenta golpear la pelota en el punto ideal cerca del medio del extremo del barril del bate, a veces denominado la parte gruesa del bate o el extremo grueso del bate .
Se puede decir que el jugador que lo utiliza para golpear la pelota (un bateador, un rematador o un bateador) batea la pelota.
Se podría decir que un jugador conocido como un buen bateador tiene un buen bate . Titular: "El campocorto combina un guante de oro con un bate sólido". [25] Se podría decir que un jugador que es experto tanto en bateo como en fildeo tiene un buen bate y un buen guante. El titular "El campocorto de Wesleyan Winn tiene un bate y un guante" [26] no significa que Winn tenga un bate y un guante, significa que es muy hábil tanto en bateo como en fildeo.
Se podría decir que un equipo con muchos bateadores buenos tiene muchos "bates" (refiriéndose a los jugadores, no al instrumento). "Es algo increíble cuando todos nos ponemos en marcha de esa manera", dijo Murphy . "Tenemos tantos bates en nuestra alineación que es difícil vencernos si seguimos bateando". [27]
batear alrededor
Según The Dickson Baseball Dictionary , un equipo ha "bateado alrededor" cuando cada uno de los nueve bateadores en la alineación del equipo ha hecho una aparición en el plato, y el primer bateador está volviendo a aparecer durante una sola entrada. [28] Dictionary.com , sin embargo, define "bateando alrededor" como "tener a cada jugador en la alineación tomando un turno al bate durante una sola entrada". [29] No es una estadística oficial. Las opiniones difieren en cuanto a si nueve bateadores deben tener un turno al bate, o si el bateador inicial debe batear nuevamente para que haya ocurrido "bateando alrededor". [30]
caída de murciélago
Propiedad física de un bate, expresada como un número (generalmente) negativo igual al peso del bate en onzas menos su longitud en pulgadas. Por ejemplo, un bate que mide 34 pulgadas (86 cm) de largo y pesa 31 onzas (880 g) tiene una caída de bate de -3. En general, los bates con una caída de bate más grande (es decir, más livianos) son más fáciles de balancear, y los bates con una caída de bate más pequeña (es decir, más pesados) pueden producir una velocidad de bola más rápida, aunque estos resultados dependen de la habilidad del bateador.
voltereta de murciélago
Celebración en la que un bateador que acaba de conectar un jonrón lanza el bate de manera dramática, en lugar de simplemente dejarlo caer mientras comienza a correr. La práctica es controvertida: algunos jugadores, como Tim Anderson y José Bautista, han sido objeto de represalias por parte del equipo contrario cuando lanzaron el bate después de un jonrón en su contra. [31]
batear la pelota
Golpear la pelota con el bate, ya sea en territorio fair o foul .
bateador
El jugador que está al bate y trata de golpear la pelota con el bate. También se lo conoce como "bateador" o "bateador".
ojo del bateador
Un área de color sólido, generalmente oscura, más allá de la pared del jardín central que es el fondo visual para el bateador que mira al lanzador . Permite al bateador ver la pelota lanzada contra un fondo oscuro y despejado, en parte por su seguridad. Es comparable a la pantalla de visualización en el cricket . El uso del ojo del bateador ha sido estándar en el béisbol desde al menos fines del siglo XIX.
Un ejemplo de un ojo de bateador es la zona negra del jardín central del primer Yankee Stadium . En algún momento hubo asientos en esa sección, pero debido a las distracciones, se quitaron los asientos y la zona se pintó de negro.
caja de bateo
Un rectángulo a cada lado del plato en el que el bateador debe estar de pie para que se reanude el juego limpio. Un pie y una mano fuera del cajón no son suficientes para detener el juego (aunque los lanzadores generalmente respetan el deseo del bateador de salir del cajón). El árbitro debe concederle un tiempo muerto al bateador antes de detener el juego.
batería
El lanzador y el receptor considerados como una sola unidad, a quienes también se les puede llamar compañeros de batería [32] o compañeros de batería entre sí. El uso de esta palabra fue acuñado por primera vez por Henry Chadwick en la década de 1860 en referencia a la potencia de fuego del cuerpo de lanzadores de un equipo e inspirado por las baterías de artillería que se usaban en ese momento en la Guerra Civil estadounidense . [33] Más tarde, el término evolucionó para indicar la efectividad combinada del lanzador y el receptor. [33]
Compañeros de batería
Un lanzador y un receptor del mismo equipo. Véase "batería".
promedio de bateo
El promedio de bateo (BA) es el número promedio de hits por turno al bate (BA=H/AB). Un promedio de bateo perfecto sería 1.000 (léase: "mil"). Un promedio de bateo de .300 ("trescientos") se considera excelente, lo que significa que los mejores bateadores no consiguen un hit en el 70% de sus turnos al bate. Incluso el nivel de .400, que es excepcional y poco común (logrado por última vez en el nivel de las Grandes Ligas en 1941), sugiere "fracaso" el 60% del tiempo. Las bases por bolas no se cuentan para calcular el promedio de bateo. Esta es parte de la razón por la que ahora los "figger filberts" consideran que el OBP es una medida más precisa del valor de un bateador en el plato. En 1887, hubo un experimento con la inclusión de las bases por bolas como hits (y como turnos al bate) para calcular el promedio de bateo. Fue efectivamente un intento temprano de obtener un OBP, pero fue considerado como un "truco de marketing" y se abandonó después del primer año. Eventualmente dejó a Cap Anson en el limbo con respecto al estado de sus hits de carrera; al eliminar las bases por bolas de sus estadísticas de 1887, como hacen algunas enciclopedias, el número de hits de su carrera quedó por debajo del total de referencia de 3000.
práctica de bateo
El período, a menudo antes de un juego, en el que los jugadores calientan o practican su técnica de bateo. A veces se refiere a un período dentro de un juego en el que los bateadores de un equipo han dominado tan totalmente a un lanzador determinado que el juego se asemeja a una sesión de práctica de bateo. Se lo conoce coloquialmente como BP (por sus siglas en inglés) y también se lo abrevia como BP (por sus siglas en inglés).
batalla
Cuando un bateador trabaja el conteo, siendo paciente, quizás al fallar deliberadamente lanzamientos en los que no puede conectar buenos golpes, se dice que está "batallando".
bazuca
Un brazo fuerte para lanzar. Una pistola, un cañón, un rifle.
CAMA Y DESAYUNO
Una línea golpeada con tanta fuerza que un fildeador tiene problemas para alcanzarla. La referencia es a recibir un disparo de una pistola de aire comprimido .
"BB" es la abreviatura que usa el anotador para referirse a una base por bolas , también conocida como " base por bolas ". Las bases por bolas se registran en la columna "BB" de un cuadro de anotaciones .
Un lanzamiento lanzado intencionalmente para golpear al bateador si no se aparta, especialmente cuando está dirigido a la cabeza (o al "frijol" en la jerga antigua). La palabra frijol también se puede usar como verbo, como en el siguiente titular: " Piazza dice que Clemens lo golpeó a propósito". [35]
apagar
Kevin Pillar (derecha) supera un tiro a la primera base.
Cuando un corredor llega a la primera base antes del lanzamiento, lo supera o lo saca de la base. Es similar a lo que ocurre cuando se le saca la pierna. "El lanzamiento de Greene a la primera base saca a González de la base y Norris Hopper es lo suficientemente rápido como para sacarlo antes de que González pueda volver a poner el pie en la base". [36]
vencer el rap
Se produce cuando un bateador golpea la pelota contra el suelo con un corredor en primera y menos de dos outs. Si la jugada tiene el potencial de ser una doble jugada , el bateador puede evitar el castigo si llega a la primera base antes del tiro del fildeador que registró el out en la segunda base. El resultado de la jugada se convierte en una elección del fildeador.
detrás en el conteo
Lo opuesto de ir adelante en el conteo. Para el bateador: cuando el conteo contiene más strikes que bolas. Para el lanzador: viceversa.
Si el lanzador está detrás en el conteo, corre un riesgo cada vez mayor de conceder una base por bolas al bateador. Si el bateador está detrás, corre un riesgo cada vez mayor de poncharse. "Si bien sólo permitió tres hits, dio cinco bases por bolas y lanzó desde atrás en el conteo". [37]
cinturón
Golpear una pelota con fuerza hacia el campo exterior o fuera del parque, sin importar si es buena o mala. "Jones batea esa pelota hacia el jardín izquierdo ... pero es mala".
Cinturón que lleva el jugador como parte del uniforme, que suele mencionarse en referencia a la ubicación de un lanzamiento o una pelota en juego. "Benard recibe una bola rápida, fuera de la esquina, a la altura del cinturón, lo que se llama strike", o "Aurilia recibe un golpe fuerte en el hueco en el campo corto, a la altura del cinturón, y dispara a primera; dos fuera".
banco
"El banco" es el lugar donde los jugadores se sientan en el dugout cuando no están bateando, en el círculo de espera o en el campo.
"La banca" también puede referirse a los jugadores que no están en la alineación pero que aún son elegibles para ingresar al juego. "La banca de LaRussa está reducida debido a todas las tareas de bateo y carrera emergente que le han sido convocadas esta noche".
jockey de banco
Un jugador, entrenador o gerente con el talento de molestar y distraer a los jugadores y árbitros de la oposición desde el dugout de su equipo con réplicas verbales . Especialmente útil contra aquellos con orejas de conejo. La justa verbal se llama con frecuencia "montar"; por lo tanto, el "jinete" desde el dugout se convierte en un "jockey de banco". Montar a los jugadores de la oposición lo suficiente para desconcertarlos, pero no lo suficiente para enfurecerlos y provocar una pelea se cree [ ¿por quién? ] que está desapareciendo rápidamente en el juego del siglo XXI. A los jugadores de béisbol de las Grandes Ligas que están en la lista de lesionados se les permite estar en el banco, pero no se les permite participar en maniobras de banco. [38]
juerga
Una bola curva.
grande como una toronja
Cuando un bateador ve el lanzamiento tan bien que parece más grande de lo que es en realidad, puede describir la pelota como "tan grande como una toronja". "Después de pegar un jonrón de 565 pies, Mickey Mantle dijo una vez: 'Acabo de ver la pelota tan grande como una toronja'. Durante una mala racha, Joe 'Ducky' Medwick de los St. Louis Cardinals dijo que estaba 'tomando aspirinas'". [39]
mosca grande
Un jonrón.
gran entrada
La mentalidad opuesta a la de las pequeñas pelotas es que si un equipo piensa en una "gran entrada", se concentrará en anotar carreras estrictamente a través de hits y jonrones, en lugar de toques de bola u otros sacrificios. En términos más generales, una "gran entrada" es una entrada en la que la ofensiva anota una gran cantidad de carreras, generalmente cuatro o más.
Un swing del bate que produce un jonrón. "El corredor emergente Hernán Pérez entró por Martínez y Pérez dio base por bolas a Dirks , preparando el escenario para el gran swing de Ávila ". [40]
grandes
Las Grandes Ligas, las Grandes Ligas , "el espectáculo". Si estás en las Grandes Ligas eres un jugador de Grandes Ligas, un jugador de Grandes Ligas.
parloteo
Un sencillo. Un hit que termina con el bateador en primera base. "Brown intentó convertir el hit en un doble y quedó fuera, Monte Irvin a Frank Austin". [41] (Un uso poco frecuente en la actualidad).
Los asientos de las gradas (en forma abreviada, gradas ) son asientos descubiertos que suelen ser bancos escalonados u otros asientos económicos ubicados en el campo exterior o en cualquier área después de la tribuna principal. El término proviene de la suposición de que los bancos están blanqueados por el sol. "Gradas" es la abreviatura del término utilizado originalmente, "tablas de gradas". A los fanáticos en los asientos de las gradas a veces se los llama vagabundos de las gradas o criaturas de las gradas .
hemofílico
Una bola de tierra bateada débilmente que se convierte en un hit. Un hit sin base. "Dunn caminó para traer a Morra, quien saltó sobre el primer lanzamiento que vio y conectó un lanzamiento sangrante que no salió del cuadro interior, impulsando a Gradwohl". [42]
ampollado
Se puede decir que una pelota que se golpea tan fuerte que parece generar su propio calor ha sido golpeada con ampollas. " Chapman entonces golpeó con ampollas una pelota hacia el centro izquierdo, y Knoblauch corrió hacia atrás, moviéndose con suavidad, y atrapó la pelota con el brazo extendido". [43]
bloquear la placa
Un receptor (izquierda) se arrodilla para bloquear el plato de un corredor de base oponente durante un partido de béisbol de una escuela secundaria japonesa.
Se dice que un receptor que coloca un pie, una pierna o todo el cuerpo entre el plato y un corredor que intenta anotar está "bloqueando el plato". Bloquear el plato es una táctica peligrosa y puede considerarse una obstrucción ( Reglas Oficiales de Béisbol, Regla 2.00 (Obstrucción) ).
curva de bloop
Un lanzamiento de Eephus ( qv ); un lanzamiento engañoso lanzado como un lanzamiento de softbol de lanzamiento lento , con una trayectoria de arco alto y muy poca velocidad (aproximadamente 40-55 mph o menos). Específicamente, un lanzamiento de este tipo lanzado aparentemente como una bola curva .
metedura de pata
Un blooper o bloop es una pelota que se batea débilmente y que cae como un sencillo entre un jugador del cuadro interior y un jardinero. También se lo conoce como "bloop single", "dancing quail" o "duck snort".
Una jugada extraña o divertida, como cuando un lanzador lanza la pelota al receptor después de que el bateador ha salido de la caja de bateo y se ha pedido un tiempo muerto, quizás golpeando al receptor en la cabeza con el lanzamiento. [45]
explotar
Desperdiciar un partido es perderlo después de haber estado en ventaja. "Teníamos el partido controlado y lo desperdiciamos".
Lanzar una pelota ("por" un bateador) es lanzarla tan rápido que el bateador no puede seguir su ritmo.
Desperdiciar un salvamento es perder una ventaja o el juego después de haber entrado al juego en una "situación de salvamento". Esto tiene un significado técnico en las estadísticas del béisbol .
Un hit, típicamente un jonrón : " El golpe de Ortiz sella la victoria".
abrirse de golpe
Obtener una ventaja dominante en un juego, tal vez después de que el juego haya sido muy competitivo o el marcador haya permanecido empatado o cerrado. " Los Piratas anotan tarde para abrir un juego cerrado contra Stony Brook ". [46]
salvamento volado
Un salvamento desperdiciado ( BS , por sus siglas en inglés) se le carga a un lanzador de relevo que ingresa a un juego en una situación de salvamento pero permite que la carrera del empate anote. Si el lanzador permite que la carrera ganadora anote, se le carga tanto con una derrota como con un salvamento desperdiciado. Si, después de desperdiciar el salvamento, el equipo del lanzador recupera la ventaja, al lanzador también se le puede acreditar la victoria. El salvamento desperdiciado no es una estadística oficialmente reconocida por las Grandes Ligas de Béisbol, pero es reconocido por el Premio Rolaids Relief Man , que carga dos puntos contra el récord de un relevista por una oportunidad de salvamento desperdiciada. A menudo se usa en las transmisiones para caracterizar el "récord" de los cerradores análogo a los récords de victorias y derrotas de los abridores. "Jones ha hecho 31 de 34 salvamentos" o "Jones tiene 31 salvamentos y tres salvamentos desperdiciados".
soplador
Rima con "closer". Un cerrador que parece conseguir más salvadas desperdiciadas que salvadas.
azul
Árbitro, en referencia al típico color azul oscuro del uniforme del árbitro. A veces se usa de forma despectiva en el béisbol profesional, como cuando uno se queja de una decisión, por ejemplo: "¡Vamos, Azul!".
Cometió un error y lo pateó: generalmente se refiere a una mala jugada en una bola de tierra. " Miguel Cabrera bateó una bola de tierra hacia Alex S. González , quien pateó la pelota. Si González hubiera fildeado la pelota correctamente, los Cachorros podrían haber terminado la media entrada con una doble jugada ". [47]
parte inferior de la entrada
La segunda mitad o "última mitad" de una entrada , durante la cual el equipo local batea, derivado de su posición en el marcador .
Se cayó el fondo
A veces se dice de un sinker o de una bola que cae, lo que implica que un lanzamiento se movió repentinamente hacia abajo como si pasara por una trampilla . Lo ideal es que el lanzador lance con la misma velocidad de brazo y punto de lanzamiento familiares, pero que la bola caiga hacia afuera en el último instante, dejando al bateador preguntándose qué sucedió. [48]
caja
La proximidad del montículo del lanzador. Los locutores de béisbol a veces se refieren a una pelota bateada que pasa por el área del montículo del lanzador como si hubiera pasado por la caja , o se dice que un lanzador que es retirado del juego ha sido sacado de la caja . En los primeros días del juego, no había montículo; el lanzador debía soltar la pelota mientras estaba dentro de una caja dibujada en el suelo. Aunque el montículo ha reemplazado a la caja, esta terminología todavía existe.
También se conoce como cajón de bateo , el área dentro de la cual se sitúa el bateador al momento de batear. El bateador debe estar en el cajón para que el lanzador pueda lanzar.
cuadro de resultados
Resumen estadístico de un partido. El marcador de línea es una versión abreviada del marcador de campo, copiado del marcador de campo. La invención del marcador de campo se atribuye a Henry Chadwick .
Los fanáticos de la investigación del béisbol también se refieren a veces a Baseball Prospectus como BP.
ES
Bate derecho; se utiliza para describir las estadísticas de un jugador, por ejemplo: John Doe (TR, BR, 6', 172 lbs.)
Juego de pelota completamente nuevo
Cuando un equipo anota una o más carreras que llevan el marcador a un empate, se dice que se trata de "un juego completamente nuevo". La frase fue popularizada por el locutor de los Dodgers, miembro del Salón de la Fama, Vin Scully .
bola rompiente
Cualquier lanzamiento que se desvía notablemente de una trayectoria "recta" o esperada debido al giro que utiliza el lanzador para lograr el efecto deseado. Algunos ejemplos son la bola curva, el slider y el Screwball.
romper uno
Lanzar una bola curva.
Abre el juego
Cuando un equipo obtiene una ventaja de varias carreras, tal vez en un solo rally que amplía su ventaja, se puede decir que el juego está "abierto". "Los Padres abrieron el juego con cinco carreras en el quinto, gracias a tres errores de los Cubs , que han perdido 12 de 14" . [49]
traer
Lanzar; a menudo se usa para una bola rápida: trae el gas , trae el calor , tráelo .
murciélago roto
Un adjetivo que se refiere a una jugada que se origina cuando el bateador rompe su bate al hacer contacto con la pelota.
Bombarderos del Bronx
Un apodo dado a los Yankees de Nueva York debido a su capacidad de jugar en un estadio favorable para los bateadores.
Alegría del Bronx
Una ovación sarcástica de la multitud: "frambuesas".
hojeada
Bateador que se poncha mirando, especialmente si no movió el bate en absoluto. Este término lo utilizan principalmente los comentaristas deportivos.
cepillado hacia atrás
Un lanzamiento lanzado intencionalmente cerca de un bateador para intimidarlo, es decir, para "rozarlo" y alejarlo del plato. También es un lanzamiento intencional o un lanzamiento de barbilla. Uso arcaico: "un golpe bajo". [50]
dinero y cambio
Se dice que un jugador que batea entre .100 y .199 está bateando "un dólar y cambio" o, más específicamente, el promedio equivalente en dólares (bucks) y centavos (change). Ejemplo: Se dice que un bateador que batea .190 está bateando "un dólar y noventa". Los jugadores de posición de las Grandes Ligas con un promedio de bateo tan bajo muy probablemente serán degradados a AAA para que se desarrollen o incluso serán liberados directamente. Véase también la línea de Mendoza .
Bicho en la alfombra
Frase acuñada por el locutor de los Piratas de Pittsburgh, Bob Prince, en la década de 1970. Un hit que se desliza por el hueco, especialmente en césped artificial.
Cambio de Bugs Bunny
Un lanzamiento de cambio de velocidad que parece llegar al plato tan lentamente que un bateador puede hacer tres swings y fallar en un solo lanzamiento. Whiff-whiff-whiff, tres strikes y el bateador está out. La referencia es a Bugs Bunny , el personaje de dibujos animados, que se muestra empleando este tipo de lanzamiento en la caricatura Baseball Bugs . A medida que el cambio de velocidad de Trevor Hoffman se convirtió en un arma mundial, sus compañeros de equipo de lanzadores lo admiraban, al igual que muchos bateadores. Les gustó tanto que le pusieron un apodo. Lo llamaron el lanzamiento de Bugs Bunny. "Podrías golpearlo tres veces y aún así no entraría en el guante", dijo Andy Ashby , trayendo a colación la imagen de la famosa caricatura. "Juro que podría decirles que viene y aún así no podrían batearlo". [51]
toril
"Bullpen" se puede utilizar para describir el área en la que están sentados estos lanzadores de relevo de los Tampa Bay Rays o como metonimia para los propios lanzadores.
El área que utilizan los lanzadores y receptores para calentar antes de subir al montículo cuando el juego ya ha comenzado. Esta área suele estar a un costado, a lo largo de la línea de base izquierda o derecha, o detrás de una cerca del jardín . Casi nunca está en territorio válido , presumiblemente debido al riesgo de interferencia con la acción en vivo. Una rara excepción fue en el Polo Grounds de Nueva York, donde los bullpens estaban en los cuartos de círculo profundos del jardín central izquierdo y derecho del muro del jardín.
Cuerpo de lanzadores de relevo de un equipo (llamado así porque los relevistas están en el bullpen durante los juegos).
Existen diversas teorías sobre el origen del término, que se analizan con más detalle en el artículo principal.
bullpen por comité
Una estrategia por la cual un club no asigna a los lanzadores de relevo roles específicos como "cerrador", "preparador" o "relevo largo", y en su lugar puede utilizar a cualquier relevista en cualquier momento. En las Grandes Ligas, esta estrategia se utiliza comúnmente cuando el cerrador del club no está disponible.
juego de bullpen
Un juego en el que un club emplea lanzadores de relevo durante todo el partido en lugar de utilizar a uno de sus abridores.
Sesión de bullpen
Una actividad regular para los lanzadores abridores durante una temporada.
relevista
Una estrategia poco utilizada que implica utilizar una serie de lanzadores de relevo (algunos de los cuales, en esta estrategia, pueden ser lanzadores utilizados con mayor frecuencia como abridores) en períodos de no más de dos entradas en lugar de confiar en un lanzador para trabajar la mayor parte de las entradas. [52]
bulto
El montículo de los lanzadores. "¿Quién está en el montículo hoy?"
tizón
Batear deliberadamente la pelota débilmente hacia un punto en particular del cuadro interior sosteniendo el bate casi inmóvil, con una mano detrás del punto dulce (qv debajo del bate) y dejando que la pelota lo golpee. Por lo general, un toque se utiliza para hacer avanzar a otros corredores y luego se lo conoce como sacrificio o hit de sacrificio o toque de sacrificio . Cuando se hace correctamente, los fildeadores no tienen ninguna jugada excepto, en el mejor de los casos, echar al bateador-corredor en primera base.
Los corredores veloces también tocan la pelota para conseguir hits cuando los jugadores del cuadro están jugando atrás. En tal situación, los bateadores zurdos pueden usar un toque de arrastre , en el que comienzan a caminar hacia la primera base mientras completan el toque. Incluso el gran bateador Mickey Mantle hacía un toque de arrastre de vez en cuando, aprovechando su velocidad de 3,1 segundos desde el home hasta la primera base. Actualmente, Ryan Zimmerman de los Nacionales se destaca por ser un bateador diestro que usa toques de arrastre con éxito.
liga de barrio
Término coloquial que se refiere a un juego de ligas menores o de calidad no profesional. Los "bushes" o los "sticks" son pequeñas ciudades donde pueden operar equipos de ligas menores. Un "busher" se refiere a alguien de las "ligas menores": consulte el subtítulo del primer libro de Ring Lardner, You Know Me Al: A Busher's Letters .
especial del hombre de negocios
Un partido de día en un día laborable.
meterlo en la mazmorra
Lanzar una bola rápida a las manos del bateador. También: atarlo, en la cocina.
carnicero
Un jardinero muy pobre.
chico carnicero
Una estrategia en la que el bateador primero muestra su intención de tocar la pelota, retira el bate cuando el lanzador comienza a lanzar y realiza un swing rápido al lanzamiento. Generalmente la utilizan los bateadores más débiles, como los lanzadores. Greg Maddux era conocido por emplear esta táctica de manera efectiva en la primera parte de su carrera con los Chicago Cubs y los Atlanta Braves.
zumba la torre
Lanzar una bola rápida alta hacia arriba y hacia adentro a un bateador, generalmente con la intención de alejarlo del plato o de hacer un comentario. Véase también brushback y lanzamiento con propósito.
do
Liga de cactus
El grupo de equipos que realizan sus partidos de exhibición de pretemporada de primavera en Arizona, donde el cactus crece en abundancia. Véase también Liga de la Toronja.
caddie
La única función de un caddie es entrar como sustituto en las últimas entradas de un juego desequilibrado para actuar como reemplazo defensivo de un bateador poderoso que está envejeciendo o para hacer un corredor emergente.
llamado
Un equipo de las Grandes Ligas puede convocar o ascender a un jugador de las ligas menores durante la temporada para que ocupe un lugar en su roster, a menudo para reemplazar a un jugador que ha sido enviado a las ligas menores o colocado en la lista de lesionados. Se puede decir que los jugadores que han estado en las ligas mayores anteriormente (y fueron enviados a las ligas menores) son llamados de regreso en lugar de ascendidos. Después del 31 de agosto, varios jugadores de las ligas menores pueden ser llamados a ocupar un lugar en el roster ampliado .
cañón
Un brazo fuerte. Y también una pistola .
Lanzar con fuerza. Locutor tras una jugada en la que el shortstop atrapa una pelota y lanza con fuerza a primera: "Guillen lanza un cañón y lo atrapa".
lata de maíz
Una pelota alta, fácil de atrapar y que se batea hacia el campo exterior. Se dice que la frase se originó en el siglo XIX y se relaciona con el método de los tenderos de la antigüedad para bajar productos enlatados de un estante alto. Usando un palo con un gancho en el extremo, un tendero podía inclinar una lata para que cayera y fuera fácil atraparla en su delantal. Una teoría sobre el uso del maíz como producto enlatado en la frase es que una lata de maíz se consideraba la "captura" más fácil, ya que el maíz era la verdura más vendida en la tienda y, por lo tanto, se almacenaba en gran cantidad en los estantes más bajos. Otra teoría es que el maíz se refiere a la práctica en los primeros días del béisbol de llamar al campo exterior el "campo de maíz", especialmente en el béisbol amateur temprano, donde el campo exterior puede haber sido un campo de cultivo. Usado con frecuencia por Red Barber , una variación, "UNA LATA DE BANTAM DORADO N.º 8", fue la favorita de Bob Prince , el locutor de los Piratas de Pittsburgh. La frase también fue utilizada por el locutor de los Yankees Phil Rizzuto , el locutor de los Red Sox y luego de los White Sox Ken "The Hawk" Harrelson , y el locutor y ex manager de los Blue Jays Buck Martínez, con su voz en el popular videojuego Triple Play 2000. También, una frase utilizada para referirse a algo que no es desafiante. De manera informal, la lata de maíz puede usarse como una frase para describir una emoción leve, un reconocimiento personal o un reconocimiento de importancia.
Capitán Garfio
Un manager que a menudo saca a un lanzador del juego a la primera señal de problemas. Sparky Anderson fue quizás el mejor ejemplo de un "Capitán Garfio" en el nivel de las Grandes Ligas. Ver gancho.
dividir
Cuando un lanzador despacha rápidamente a un bateador con tres o cuatro lanzamientos que el bateador solo alcanza a tocar, se puede decir que el lanzador ha "destrozado al bateador", como un chef destrozando un pavo. Titular: "Cómo Buehrle destrozó Tampa Bay con un solo lanzamiento a 90 millas por hora". [53]
pagar en
Para hacer entrar a un corredor que ya está en base. "Luego, Lauren Rorebeck hizo entrar a ambos corredores con un jonrón sobre la cerca del jardín izquierdo para empatar el juego 7-7 con dos entradas por jugar". [54]
Asiento de pájaro gato
Una situación deseable o auspiciosa. Popularizada por Red Barber , locutor de los Brooklyn Dodgers durante mucho tiempo . James Thurber escribió en su cuento del mismo título: "Sentarse en el asiento del catbird" significa estar bien sentado, como un bateador con tres bolas y ningún strike . Se dice que el catbird busca el punto más alto de un árbol para cantar su canción, por lo que alguien en el asiento del catbird está en lo alto.
alcanzar una bola rápida
Como si un bateador estuviera corriendo una carrera a pie con una bola rápida, se dice que "alcanza" una bola rápida si su tiempo de reacción y la velocidad del bate son lo suficientemente rápidos como para golpear una bola rápida lanzada por un lanzador de potencia. "Nuestros informes de exploración indican que todavía puede batear y alcanzar una bola rápida. Mientras pueda alcanzar una bola rápida, obtendrá el dinero". [55]
interferencia del receptor
Se considera interferencia del receptor cuando este impide físicamente al bateador hacer swing a un lanzamiento. En el béisbol profesional, el juego continúa y, una vez que cesa la acción de juego continuo, el árbitro pide tiempo. La penalización es que se le otorga la primera base al bateador; a cualquier corredor que intente robar se le otorga esa base y todos los demás corredores avanzan solo si se ven obligados a hacerlo. El mánager del equipo ofensivo tiene la opción de quedarse con el resultado de la jugada. Los árbitros no le darán la opción y debe declararla explícitamente antes de que continúe la jugada después de otorgar bases. Se le imputa un error al receptor. Este es uno de los muchos tipos de interferencias .
atrapado mirando
Término utilizado cuando se canta el tercer strike contra un bateador sin que éste intente golpear el lanzamiento. [56]
pillado durmiendo la siesta
Un corredor de base que es eliminado por no prestar atención a lo que hacían los jugadores defensivos es "sorprendido". A menudo, esto implica una jugada de pickoff en la que el jugador del cuadro interior se acerca sigilosamente al corredor y recibe un tiro del lanzador o, con menos frecuencia, del receptor.
bodega
Último lugar, último de la clasificación. Un equipo que pasa demasiado tiempo en el último lugar, especialmente durante un período de años, tiende a adquirir el poco favorecedor título de " sótano" . SINÓNIMO: sótano.
mezcladora de cemento
Una pelota de béisbol lanzada con la intención de salir de la zona de strike que no lo logra y termina colgando en la zona de strike; una bola rápida lenta no intencional con un giro lateral que se asemeja a una mezcladora de cemento giratoria de eje fijo, que no se traslada.
corte central
De bronxpinstripes.com: Término de carnicero para referirse al mejor corte de carne de res. En la jerga del béisbol, es una bola rápida por el medio.
La silla
En concreto, en relación con el bateador: sentarse en el banco, en lugar de llegar a la base o permanecer en el cajón de bateo. Como en "tirarle la silla". La expresión es un estímulo para que el lanzador ponche al bateador, enviándolo de vuelta al dugout, "tirándole la silla", obligándolo a sentarse.
desafiar al bateador
Cuando un lanzador es agresivo y lanza strikes, quizás su mejor bola rápida, se puede decir que "desafía al bateador". Es similar a golpear la zona de strike o atacar la zona de strike. "Jared tiene un material sobresaliente", dijo Mee. "Lo único que me gustaría ver que haga es lanzar más strikes y desafiar a los bateadores. Tiene mucha habilidad y cuando está por delante en el conteo es un tipo al que es muy difícil golpear". [57]
cambiar el nivel de los ojos
Un lanzador “cambia el nivel de los ojos” de un bateador al lanzar lanzamientos a diferentes alturas en la zona de strike. Esto tiene como objetivo mantener al bateador desequilibrado o incómodo. “Cambiar el nivel de los ojos de un bateador es importante porque a medida que avanzas, será más difícil para ti lograr que un bateador mueva sus pies en el cajón de bateo, incluso si lanzas hacia adentro, por lo que la siguiente opción es mover los ojos del bateador”. [58]
cambio
Un cambio de velocidad o cambio de ritmo es un lanzamiento que se parece a una bola rápida, pero con menos velocidad, abreviado como cambio de ritmo . Una variedad de este lanzamiento es el cambio circular , en el que se forma un círculo utilizando el pulgar y el índice en el último tercio de una bola. Esto hace que la bola se rompa hacia adentro y hacia abajo hacia el bateador diestro de un lanzador diestro, lo que con frecuencia resulta en bolas de tierra. También se puede utilizar un cambio recto , hecho famoso por Pedro Martínez . El agarre requiere que se utilicen todos los dedos para sostener la bola, lo que resulta en más fricción, lo que hace que la bola baje tremendamente.
cargar
Cuando un jugador del cuadro interior corre hacia una pelota en el suelo en lugar de esperar a que ésta llegue hacia él.
Se dice que las carreras se "cargan" al lanzador que inicialmente permitió que el corredor anotador llegara a la base.
cargando el montículo
El término "cargar contra el montículo" se refiere a un bateador que ataca al lanzador después de ser golpeado por un lanzamiento o, en algunos casos, después de haber estado a punto de ser golpeado. No se ha identificado el primer incidente en el que un profesional haya cargado contra el montículo, pero la práctica ciertamente se remonta a los primeros días del juego. Cargar contra el montículo es a menudo la causa desencadenante de una pelea en la que se vacían las bancas y, muy probablemente, resultará en la expulsión del bateador .
perseguir
Perseguir (o ir tras) es hacer swing a un lanzamiento que está muy fuera de la zona de strike.
Se dice que un lanzador que es retirado del juego por el manager porque permitió demasiadas carreras fue "expulsado del juego" o "expulsado del montículo" por los bateadores oponentes. " Pettite fue expulsado del juego en la séptima entrada después de un sencillo productor de Willy Taveras y un triple de dos carreras de Kazuo Matsui ". [59]
Se puede decir que un jugador o entrenador que es expulsado del juego por un árbitro está siendo perseguido. " Martin fue expulsado por el árbitro Lee Weyer en el cuarto juego de la Serie de 1976 , siete años después de que Weaver fuera perseguido por Shag Crawford en el cuarto juego en 1969" . [60]
charla
Desafiar o provocar verbalmente al bateador contrario para distraerlo. Tanto los fanáticos como los jugadores participan en la conversación. "Heybattabattabatta" es un ejemplo de conversación común en el béisbol.
Barranco de Chávez
Apodo del Dodger Stadium . El estadio de béisbol se construyó a fines de la década de 1950 en un antiguo barrio residencial llamado Chavez Ravine.
carrera barata
Una carrera que se produce por suerte o con poco esfuerzo por parte del equipo ofensivo. Titular: "Una carrera barata para los Rays". Historia: " Carl Crawford tuvo suerte con ese blooper en la línea; no fue un mal lanzamiento de Jamie Moyer ". [61]
comprobar el corredor
Cuando el lanzador o un jugador del cuadro interior que fildea una pelota, mira en dirección a un corredor en base y esto provoca que éste no tome una ventaja tan grande como la que hubiera tomado de otra manera.
columpio controlado
Un bateador detiene un swing deteniéndolo antes de que el bate cruce el frente del plato. Si no lo detiene a tiempo, el árbitro cantará un strike porque hizo swing al lanzamiento. A menudo, la visión del swing del árbitro está obstruida. Si el árbitro canta el lanzamiento como bola, un jugador defensivo como el receptor o el lanzador puede pedirle al árbitro del plato que pregunte a otro árbitro si el bateador hizo swing al lanzamiento. En tal caso, el árbitro del plato siempre acepta la decisión del otro árbitro. "Básicamente, los Tigres pusieron a los Medias Rojas en un aprieto durante todo el juego, o de lo contrario no habrían tenido tantos swings controlados como tuvieron. O tantos strikes que intentaron vender a los árbitros como bolas". [62]
queso Cheddar
Ver queso.
queso
Una bola rápida, particularmente una que es difícil de batear. Una bola rápida en la zona de strike también se llama high cheese, y una bola rápida en la zona baja se puede llamar cheese at the knees. "Easy Cheese" se refiere al movimiento aparentemente sin esfuerzo de un lanzador mientras lanza una bola rápida a una velocidad muy alta. [63]
Música de la barbilla
Un lanzamiento alto y ajustado, hacia arriba y hacia adentro, cuyo objetivo es hacer retroceder al bateador desde el plato para evitar que lo golpeen en el mentón. También se lo conoce como lanzamiento de cepillado hacia atrás o lanzamiento de propósito .
Home run chino
Un término más antiguo para un jonrón, a menudo una pelota alta que apenas pasa la cerca en la parte del campo exterior más cercana al plato. Se usaba con frecuencia en referencia a este tipo de hits en el Polo Grounds , antigua casa de los New York Giants , que tenía líneas de falta notoriamente cortas. Su uso ha disminuido desde que se demolió ese estadio, y aún más porque se lo ha percibido como étnicamente ofensivo. [64]
Un sentido secundario es el de una pelota larga, normalmente una que viaja hacia atrás desde el plato. Este uso parece estar restringido a los juegos de pelota en los campos de Nueva Inglaterra , donde puede haber evolucionado a partir de un supuesto "jonrón de Chaney", una falta hacia atrás de un jugador con ese nombre que finalmente ganó un juego para el equipo que bateaba cuando no se pudo encontrar la pelota, la última disponible. El árbitro entonces dictaminó que el otro equipo no había proporcionado una cantidad adecuada de pelotas y, por lo tanto, había perdido el juego. [64]
chinche
Un error; una codorniz moribunda; una hemorragia.
helicóptero
Un chopper se refiere a una pelota bateada que golpea inmediatamente el área endurecida de tierra directamente frente al plato, lo que hace que rebote alto hacia el infield. Los bateadores que corren rápido pueden convertir estos choppers en hits. También es una pelota bateada que rebota varias veces antes de ser fildeada por un jugador del infield o llegar al outfield. El ex locutor de los Bravos Skip Caray solía llamar caprichosamente a los rebotes a tercera base cuando Atlanta estaba a la defensiva como "un chopper a Chipper" en referencia al veterano tercera base de los Bravos Chipper Jones .
ahogarse
Joey Votto se atraganta con el bate durante un juego de 2015
Un bateador "se ahoga" al deslizar sus manos hacia arriba desde el extremo del mango del bate para darle más control sobre él. Esto reduce la potencia y aumenta el control. Antes de impulsar el hit ganador de la Serie Mundial con un sencillo en forma de globo en la Serie Mundial de 2001 , Luis González se ahogó con el bate. [ cita requerida ] De esta manera, salió adelante y no se " ahogó " en el momento decisivo.
arrojar
Lanzamiento. A veces se hace referencia a un lanzador como un chucker o alguien que realmente puede lanzar la pelota. En San Francisco, a veces se hace referencia a los fanáticos como " battery chuckers" , en referencia a varios incidentes en los que muchos fanáticos lanzaron baterías al campo. Estos incidentes se remontan al menos a principios de los años 2000 en San Francisco, aunque hubo al menos un incidente anterior que involucró a fanáticos de los Phillies. [65]
círculo
El círculo de espera , conocido oficialmente como la caja del siguiente bateador.
captura de circo
Una captura sobresaliente, usualmente cuando un fildeador tiene que levantar sus pies o hacer contorsiones para realizarla, asemejándose a un acróbata de circo en el proceso.
golpe limpio
Cuando un bateador golpea una pelota por el cuadro interior sin que la toque un fildeador, se puede decir que tiene un "golpe limpio". De manera similar, si un bateador golpea una pelota por encima de la cabeza de un jardinero, puede tener un "golpe limpio". " A Tris realmente le encantaba batear y siempre se emocionaba cuando conseguía un golpe 'limpio' que pasara por encima de la cabeza de un jardinero". [66]
entrada limpia
Cuando un lanzador no permite hits, bases por bolas ni carreras y la defensa no comete ningún error. "Quiero ver entradas limpias", dijo Cooper . "Este es un momento en el que deberíamos estar viéndolas: entradas limpias y nítidas. Sin embargo, estamos bateando contra muchachos que intentan tocar la pelota, dando bases por bolas con cuatro lanzamientos ... No son niños pequeños los que hacen estas cosas. Es ridículo. No me importa quién sea. No debería estar sucediendo. Tenemos que limpiarlo. Me gustaría ver algunas entradas limpias tarde o temprano. Deberíamos estar lanzando el primer strike, el segundo strike, hacer algunos lanzamientos. Estamos por todos lados. Ni siquiera estamos cerca de la zona de strike". [67]
bateador de limpieza
El cuarto bateador de la alineación, generalmente un bateador de poder. La estrategia es poner algunos corredores en base para que el cuarto bate pueda impulsar la pelota. En teoría, si los primeros tres bateadores del juego llenaran las bases, el cuarto bate idealmente "limpiaría" las bases con un grand slam .
Limpiar las bases
Se dice que un bateador que impulsa a todos los corredores en base sin anotar él mismo "limpia las bases". "El triple de Dikito que limpió las bases provocó un frenesí en la multitud partidaria de los Falcons". [68]
Subiendo la escalera
Una táctica en la que un lanzador realiza una sucesión de lanzamientos fuera de la zona de strike, cada uno más alto que el anterior, en un intento de lograr que el bateador le haga swing a un lanzamiento "en sus ojos".
Cuando un fildeador realiza un salto inusualmente alto para atrapar una línea alta , como si subiera una escalera invisible para atrapar la pelota.
clínica
Una actuación dominante de una persona o un equipo. "David Price realmente dio una lección, ponchando a todos".
íntimamente
Un lanzador de relevo que se utiliza constantemente para "cerrar" o finalizar un juego consiguiendo los outs finales. Los cerradores suelen estar entre los lanzadores más poderosos y, a veces, incluso entre los más erráticos. Alternativamente, pueden especializarse en un lanzamiento que es difícil de batear, como el splitter o la recta cortada .
cierra el libro
Se puede "cerrar el libro" de un lanzador que ha sido reemplazado cuando sus estadísticas para el juego se vuelven definitivas. Si un lanzador de relevo entra al juego con uno o más corredores heredados , y esos corredores finalmente anotan, aún afectan las estadísticas del lanzador que les permitió estar en base (por ejemplo, el promedio de carreras limpias). Una vez que todos los corredores cargados a un lanzador en particular anotan o son eliminados, o se realiza el tercer out en la entrada, entonces sus estadísticas ya no pueden cambiar (excepto su estado como lanzador de registro) y su "libro" está "cerrado".
tendedero
Ver "lanzar una tendedera".
Casa club
El vestuario de un equipo , que también puede incluir instalaciones para comer, entretenerse y hacer ejercicio, especialmente en el más alto nivel profesional. El término "casa club" también se utiliza con frecuencia en los deportes del golf y las carreras de caballos pura sangre.
embrague
Buen desempeño bajo presión cuando el buen desempeño realmente importa. Puede referirse a una situación de este tipo (estar en el momento decisivo ) o a un jugador (un buen bateador en el momento decisivo , o uno que "puede batear en el momento decisivo"); o a hits específicos ("ese fue un hit decisivo"). La mayoría de los fanáticos del béisbol creen que el bateo decisivo existe, pero existe un desacuerdo significativo entre los expertos en estadísticas sobre si el bateo decisivo es una habilidad específica o, en cambio, algo que los buenos bateadores en general hacen. Un viejo sinónimo de "clutch" es " pinche" , como en el libro de Christy Mathewson , Pitching in a Pinch .
tiro de gallo
Una bola rápida a la altura del cinturón, muy fácil de batear, generalmente por el medio del plato. Como lo usa Bob McClure, ex entrenador de lanzadores de los Red Sox: "Cuando lanzas una bola rápida que se dispara justo por encima del cinturón, justo por el medio, esperas que no hagan swing. Muchas veces, esa bola se batea fuera del estadio". [69]
cuello
Símbolo de no conectar hits en un juego, sugerido por su parecido con un cero, junto con la implicación de "estrangulamiento"; usar el collar : "Si Wright no consigue un hit aquí, usará un collar de 0 por 5 ese día". Además, quitarse el collar : " Cameron Maybin tomó el collar en su debut en las Grandes Ligas, ponchándose dos veces". [70] Además, Bob Starr (comentarista deportivo) , que fue locutor de béisbol de las Grandes Ligas durante 25 años (1972-97), restringió su uso del término "usa el collar" solo a los jugadores que se poncharon 4 veces en un juego .
El que vuelve
Una línea o una bola de tierra bateada directamente de regreso al lanzador.
dominio
La habilidad avanzada de un lanzador para lanzar un lanzamiento en el lugar que desea. Contrasta con el control, que es simplemente la capacidad de lanzar strikes; el comando es la capacidad de golpear puntos específicos dentro o fuera de la zona de strike . Véase también ubicación.
juego completo
Un juego completo (indicado por CG) es el acto de un lanzador de lanzar un juego completo él mismo, sin el beneficio de un lanzador de relevo. Un juego completo puede ser una victoria o una derrota. Se puede otorgar un juego completo a un lanzador incluso si lanza menos de (o más de) nueve entradas, siempre que lance todo el juego.
juego completo blanqueado
Un juego completo sin anotaciones (CGSO) ocurre cuando un lanzador lanza un juego completo y no permite que el otro equipo anote.
bateador de contacto
Un bateador que no se poncha con frecuencia, por lo que suele ser capaz de hacer contacto con la pelota y ponerla en juego. Esto no significa necesariamente que sea un bateador de contacto. Puede batear con potencia, pero normalmente con más dobles y triples que jonrones. Pete Rose , Tony Gwynn y Wade Boggs son excelentes ejemplos de bateadores de contacto.
lanzador de contacto
Ver propuesta para contactar.
juego de contacto
Cuando un corredor en tercera base recibe instrucciones de un entrenador para intentar anotar tan pronto como escuche que el bate hace contacto con un lanzamiento, sin esperar a saber qué tipo de contacto se ha producido (bola buena o bola de falta, elevado o rodado). En tal caso, se le dice al corredor que "corra al hacer contacto". Esta jugada se produce normalmente cuando el juego está reñido o las bases están llenas. En términos más generales, "los corredores de base 'corren al hacer contacto' cuando hay dos outs, ya que no hay nada que perder si la pelota es atrapada o el bateador es eliminado". [71]
artista de control
Un lanzador que concede muy pocas bases por bolas o que tiene un excelente dominio de sus lanzamientos. También conocido como lanzador de control .
galleta
Un lanzamiento que es fácil de batear. Por el contrario, en el caso en que el primer lanzamiento es un strike y el segundo es una bola, el segundo puede ser el resultado de que el lanzador no haya acertado en el punto de lanzamiento; el lanzador responde lanzando una galleta para recuperar el control. [72]
Cooperstown
Un metonimia del Salón de la Fama , ubicado en Cooperstown, Nueva York. Un jugador o entrenador "en camino a Cooperstown" es uno de los que se piensa que está destinado a ser incluido en el Salón de la Fama.
murciélago con corcho
Un bate en el que se ha insertado corcho (o posiblemente goma u otro material elástico) en el núcleo del barril de madera. Aunque modificar un bate de esta manera puede ayudar a aumentar la velocidad o el control del bate al hacerlo más ligero, contrariamente a la creencia popular, no imparte más energía a la pelota bateada. [73] Un bateador podría lograr un efecto similar al apretar el bate o usar un bate más corto. Un jugador que sea sorprendido alterando su bate ilegalmente está sujeto a suspensión u otras sanciones. El último caso de este tipo en las Grandes Ligas de Béisbol involucró al bateador Sammy Sosa . [74]
esquinas
Cuando los corredores están "en las esquinas", están en la primera base y la tercera base en el diamante de béisbol, sin ningún corredor en la segunda base.
Las "esquinas del plato" son los bordes interior y exterior del plato. Algunos lanzadores viven en las esquinas o simplemente las mordisquean. Otros son expertos en "pintar las esquinas".
El número de bolas y strikes que un bateador tiene en su turno al bate actual. Generalmente se anuncia como un par de números, por ejemplo "3–0" (pronunciado "tres y oh"), donde el primer número es el número de bolas y el segundo es el número de strikes. Un conteo de 3–2, uno con el número máximo de bolas y strikes en un turno al bate determinado, se conoce como conteo completo . Un conteo de 1–1 o 2–2 se llama par , aunque se considera que el lanzador tiene la ventaja en un lanzamiento de 2–2 porque todavía puede lanzar otra bola sin consecuencias, mientras que otro strike significa que el bateador está fuera. Se dice que un bateador está por delante en el conteo (y un lanzador por detrás en el conteo) si el conteo es 1–0, 2–0, 2–1, 3–0 o 3–1. Se dice que un bateador está por detrás en el conteo (y un lanzador por delante en el conteo) si el conteo es 0–1, 0–2 o 1–2.
primo
Un lanzador al que un bateador en particular puede golpear con facilidad. [ cita requerida ]
cubriendo una base
Parte del trabajo de los jugadores del cuadro interior es cubrir las bases. Es decir, pararse al lado de una base con la expectativa de recibir la pelota de otro jugador de campo, y luego hacer una jugada sobre un corredor de base que se acerca a esa base. En una jugada forzada o una jugada de apelación , el jugador de campo que cubre una base se para con un pie sobre esa base cuando atrapa la pelota.
Cuando un fildeador va a hacer una jugada en una base que no es su posición (generalmente porque el fildeador de esa base no está disponible para atrapar la pelota en esa base porque está ocupado fildeando la pelota bateada). Un ejemplo común es cuando el primera base atrapa una pelota bateada, pero está demasiado lejos de la base para poner out al corredor . El lanzador corre para "cubrir" la primera base para recibir el tiro del primera base (la jugada se anotaría como "3-1", es decir, primera base a lanzador).
crujido del bate
El sonido que hace el bate al golpear la pelota. El término se utiliza en el béisbol para significar "inmediatamente, sin dudarlo". Por ejemplo, un corredor de base puede empezar a correr "al oír el chasquido del bate", en lugar de esperar a ver hacia dónde va la pelota.
Los jardineros suelen utilizar el sonido del bate al chocar con la pelota como pista para saber a qué distancia ha sido golpeada la pelota. Como ha escrito el físico Robert Adair : "Cuando se golpea una pelota de béisbol directamente contra un jardinero, éste no puede calcular rápidamente el ángulo de ascenso ni la distancia que recorrerá la pelota. Si espera hasta que la trayectoria esté bien definida, habrá esperado demasiado tiempo y no podrá alcanzar pelotas que de otro modo serían atrapadas. Si empieza rápidamente, pero calcula mal la pelota de modo que su primer paso es incorrecto (hacia adentro para un elevado largo o hacia atrás para un elevado corto), el tiempo de respuesta reduce drásticamente su alcance y volverá a perder pelotas atrapadas. Para ayudar a su juicio, el jardinero experimentado escucha el sonido del bate de madera golpeando la pelota. Si oye un 'crack' sale corriendo, si oye un 'clunk' entra corriendo". [75]
De manera similar, con los bates de metal, los jardineros tienen que aprender a distinguir un "ping" de un "plunk".
caja de galletas
Un campo de béisbol pequeño, considerado propicio para los bateadores potentes y hostil para los lanzadores. Una caja de arena. (ver: Baker Bowl )
campeón
Un jugador o equipo con poder y habilidad excepcional.
Batear una pelota para bases extra, típicamente un jonrón. " Jeter conectó un jonrón hacia la izquierda para poner el marcador 6-5". [76] También es un eufemismo de principios del siglo XIX para referirse a los espectadores del béisbol, que hace referencia al movimiento de los torniquetes al ingresar al estadio.
chocar
Método de defensa contra un toque de bola en el que el jugador de primera y tercera base cargan hacia el bateador para fildear la pelota, el jugador de segunda base cubre la primera base y el jugador de campo corto cubre la segunda o tercera, dependiendo de hacia dónde se dirija el corredor líder. También puede referirse de manera más general a la acción de cualquier jugador del cuadro interior que carga hacia el bateador en un toque de bola.
número torcido
Número distinto de cero o uno, que hace referencia a la apariencia del número real. Se dice que un equipo que logra anotar dos o más carreras en una entrada "cuelga un número torcido" en el marcador o en el lanzador.
criatura
Un jonrón que claramente va a salir en cuanto se batea. Se le llama así porque molesta al lanzador como si fuera una especie de criatura.
cruzado
Cuando un receptor le pide al lanzador que lance un tipo de lanzamiento (por ejemplo, una bola rápida) pero el lanzador lanza otro (por ejemplo, una bola curva), el receptor ha sido cruzado. Esto puede dar lugar a una bola pasada , lo que permite que un corredor en base avance. " La bola pasada de Barrett permitió que la última de las tres carreras anotara en la quinta mientras los Rojos aumentaban su ventaja a 7-2. El lanzamiento de Williams lo cruzó. 'Estaba buscando un sinker y se me alejó', dijo Barrett. 'Tenía una jugada en el plato, pero mi espinillera se quedó atascada en el césped. Fue un día frustrante'". [77]
Cuando un bateador ha sido preparado para esperar un cierto tipo de lanzamiento pero en cambio recibe uno diferente, puede verse envuelto en una situación complicada, lo que puede llevar a una pelota golpeada débilmente o a un swing y un fallo.
apiñar al bateador
Cuando un lanzador lanza la pelota hacia la parte interior del plato, puede estar intentando "acorralar al bateador" haciéndole difícil extender los brazos y realizar un swing completo al lanzamiento.
llenar el plato
Cuando un bateador se coloca muy cerca del plato, a veces cubriendo parte de la zona de strike. Esto enfurece a los lanzadores y, si se hace repetidamente, puede dar lugar a un lanzamiento con efecto o incluso a un lanzamiento de pelotazo para que salga del plato. "Soy plenamente consciente de que cuando te amontonas en el plato, vas a recibir una bola muy alta". [78]
aplastar la pelota
Se podría decir que un bateador que golpea una pelota con mucha fuerza y a mucha distancia aplasta la pelota, como si la hubiera destruido o al menos cambiado su forma. Expresiones relacionadas son crunched the ball o masked the ball . De hecho, a un bateador a veces se lo describe como un triturador . Ilustración: "Aunque el joven de 25 años ha impresionado con dos jonrones en cinco juegos, es más un bateador puro que un triturador".
Otros tipos de destrucción del béisbol incluyen quitarle el relleno a la pelota y quitarle la cubierta de cuero de caballo .
apuntar la bola
Cuando se golpea una pelota con el extremo del bate, se puede decir que el bateador "ha dado el toque" (como si la hubiera golpeado con un taco de billar ). " Kendrick llegó a tercera con un roletazo con el bate roto y anotó con un roletazo a primera base de Ryan Shealy ..." [79]
taza de café
Breve estancia de un jugador de ligas menores en el nivel de las grandes ligas . La idea es que el jugador estuvo allí sólo el tiempo suficiente para tomar una taza de café. También se puede utilizar para describir una estancia muy breve (menos de una temporada) en un club de las grandes ligas.
bola curva
Un lanzamiento que se curva o se desvía de una trayectoria recta o prevista hacia el plato. También se denomina simplemente "curva".
cortar
Un movimiento del bate.
Ser eliminado de la lista o del equipo.
bola rápida cortada
Una bola rápida cortada o cutter es una bola rápida que tiene movimiento lateral. Una " bola rápida cortada " es similar a un slider que se destaca más por su velocidad que por su movimiento lateral.
reducir su swing
Cuando un bateador reduce la amplitud de su swing, ya sea apretando el bate o simplemente comenzando su swing menos atrás de su cabeza, "reduce su swing", lo que lo ayuda a mover su bate más rápido. También "acorta su swing". " Guerrero hizo un swing tan fuerte durante una noche de 0 de 5 el martes que parecía que iba a salir de sus zapatillas. Por eso, Hatcher sugirió el miércoles que Guerrero ensanchara un poco su postura, un movimiento que obliga a los bateadores a reducir un poco su swing". [80]
cortar la pelota
Cuando una pelota es bateada en el espacio entre los jardineros, un jardinero a menudo tiene que elegir entre correr hacia la cerca para atrapar o recuperar la pelota o correr hacia la pelota e intentar atraparla antes de que lo supere y llegue a la cerca. En este último caso, se dice que "corta la pelota" porque está tratando de acortar el camino de la pelota. "Cuando Granderson se desplazó hacia el jardín central izquierdo en la línea de Carlos Peña en la quinta entrada, no se dirigía en esa dirección para atraparla. Se estaba preparando para atraparla en el rebote. 'De hecho, me estaba poniendo en posición para cortar la pelota', dijo Granderson después de la derrota de los Tigres por 11-7 ante los Rays el lunes por la tarde. 'No pensé que iba a tener la oportunidad de atraparla' ". [81]
cierre
Una táctica defensiva en la que un fildeador se mueve a una posición entre el jardinero que ha fildeado la pelota bateada y la base donde se puede realizar una jugada. Se dice que este fildeador "corta" el tiro o es el " hombre del corte ". Esta táctica aumenta la precisión en largas distancias y acorta el tiempo necesario para llevar una pelota a un lugar específico. También le da al hombre del corte la opción de eliminar a un corredor que está detrás y que intenta avanzar en el tiro si cree que es imposible hacer la jugada en el home. No tocar al hombre del corte se considera un error del jardinero (aunque no se anota como tal) porque puede permitir que un corredor avance o anote.
hombre cortado
Un jugador de campo que "corta" un tiro largo a un objetivo importante. A menudo, el campocorto , el segunda base o el primera base serán los "hombres que cortan" para un tiro largo desde el campo exterior a la tercera base o al plato. "Golpea al hombre que corta" es una advertencia común de un entrenador .
ciclo
Ver hit para el ciclo.
D
cortador de margaritas
Término antiguo para referirse a una pelota golpeada con fuerza, lo suficientemente cerca del césped como para, teóricamente, cortar las puntas de cualquier margarita que pudiera estar creciendo en el campo.
Un lanzamiento que es difícil de ver, y mucho menos de batear. "Lánzale el oscuro" es una exhortación al lanzador, que generalmente se da con dos strikes, para que lance un strike más allá del bateador.
brazo muerto
Cuando un lanzador normalmente efectivo o dominante parece no poder lanzar tan fuerte como lo hace habitualmente, se puede decir que tiene un "brazo muerto". "Si has observado el radar cuando Carlos Zambrano ha lanzado este mes, sabes que algo no está bien. El problema, dijo el lanzador derecho de los Cachorros el sábado, es que está pasando por una fase de 'brazo muerto'". [82]
bola muerta
La pelota queda "muerta" (es decir, se detiene la acción del juego) después de una bola de falta y en casos de interferencia de un aficionado o un jugador , interferencia del árbitro con un receptor y varias otras situaciones específicas . Cuando la pelota está muerta, ningún corredor puede avanzar más allá de las bases a las que tiene derecho y ningún corredor puede ser eliminado. La pelota vuelve a estar "viva" cuando el árbitro señala que se debe reanudar el juego.
Era de la pelota muerta
El período entre 1903 y 1918, justo antes de la Era de la Pelota Viva, cuando la composición de la pelota de béisbol junto con otras reglas tendían a limitar la ofensiva y la principal estrategia de bateo era el juego interior. Conseguir un jonrón por encima de la cerca era un logro notable.
bateador de tiro muerto
Un bateador que tira la pelota es un bateador que generalmente golpea la pelota hacia el mismo lado hacia el que batea. Es decir, un bateador diestro , que batea desde el lado izquierdo del plato, golpeará la pelota hacia el jardín izquierdo. A los bateadores se les suele llamar bateadores que tiran la pelota si rara vez hacen otra cosa que tirar la pelota. Un ejemplo contemporáneo de un bateador que tira la pelota es Jason Giambi .
rojo muerto
Si un bateador está "sentado/luciendo rojo muerto" en un lanzamiento, esto significa que estaba buscando un lanzamiento (generalmente una bola rápida) y lo recibió, generalmente conectando un jonrón o un hit.
trato
Entrega de un lanzamiento , comúnmente utilizado por los locutores jugada por jugada cuando el lanzador lanza la pelota, por ejemplo, "Smith le pasa la pelota a Jones".
Lanzar con eficacia, por ejemplo: "Smith está realmente trabajando duro esta noche".
Decidido en el último turno al bate
Los juegos de un equipo que se "deciden en el último turno al bate" son aquellos en los que el equipo ganador anotó la carrera ganadora o de la ventaja en su última entrada ofensiva. En este caso, "al bate" es el tiempo que el equipo está en el plato, lo que constituye tres outs (no debe confundirse con un turno al bate individual). Véase también walk-off.
En lo profundo del conteo
Siempre que se ha cantado una tercera bola (conteo de 3-0, 3-1 o 3-2), la situación favorece al bateador. "En su cuarta apertura después de perderse dos meses por una cirugía de codo, Robertson ... conectó conteos largos contra muchos bateadores, pero permitió solo cinco hits y dos carreras limpias en cinco entradas". [83]
defensor
Ver fildeador.
índice de eficiencia defensiva
Un concepto sabermétrico : la tasa a la que las pelotas puestas en juego son convertidas en outs por la defensa de un equipo. [84] Un concepto análogo se utiliza en el análisis de otros deportes de equipo, incluidos el baloncesto y el fútbol americano. Se calcula de esta manera en el béisbol: 1-(((H+ROE)-HR)/(PA-(SO+HBP+HR))) donde H=Hits permitidos, ROE=el equipo contrario llegó a base por error, HR=jonrones permitidos, PA=número de apariciones al plato del equipo contrario, SO=ponches de los lanzadores del equipo y HBP=golpe de lanzamiento del lanzador.
indiferencia defensiva
Cuando la defensa permite que un corredor avance una o más bases. El corredor no recibe crédito por una base robada porque la base fue "dada" y no "robada". La defensa puede permitir esto en la novena entrada con una gran ventaja, donde el enfoque está en inducir a los bateadores finales a hacer outs .
El lanzamiento se refiere a los ángulos básicos del brazo de los lanzadores , por ejemplo, lanzamiento por encima de la cabeza o lanzamiento con el brazo lateral. Esto contrasta con el cricket, en el que el término " lanzamiento " es similar al tipo de lanzamiento en el béisbol.
designado para asignación
Un proceso que permite eliminar a un jugador de la lista de 40 hombres de su equipo.
bateador designado
El bateador designado (DH) es un jugador que batea permanentemente en lugar de un jugador defensivo (normalmente el lanzador) y cuyo único papel en el juego es batear. La Liga Americana ha utilizado al DH desde 1973, mientras que la Liga Nacional no adoptó el rol de manera permanente hasta 2022.
dos
Una bola curva, porque la señal del receptor generalmente se hace extendiendo los dos primeros dedos.
Una doble jugada.
De los naipes , donde la carta "2" se llama convencionalmente "dos".
Deuces salvajes
Cuando aparece una gran cantidad del número "2" en el marcador al mismo tiempo: 2 corredores en base, 2 outs , 2 bolas y 2 strikes al bateador. Derivado de la frase de póquer " los deuces son comodines ". Usado a menudo por el locutor del Salón de la Fama Vin Scully .
Para pegar un jonrón . Titular: "Los bateadores de los Medias Rojas marcan larga distancia: Ramírez y Ortiz conectan jonrones de dos carreras cada uno". [85] La frase a veces se expresa como "Marque 9 para larga distancia".
marcado
Refiriéndose a una bola rápida. "Él marcó ese lanzamiento".
diamante
La disposición de las cuatro bases en el infield . En realidad es un cuadrado de 90 pies (27 m) de lado, pero desde las gradas parece un paralelogramo o "diamante".
morir
Se dice que una pelota de fly es muerta si viaja una distancia menor desde el plato de home de lo esperado inicialmente debido al viento u otros factores aerodinámicos. No debe confundirse con pelota muerta.
desenterrarlo
Filtrar una pelota en el suelo o cerca de él. Generalmente, un primera base recibe un tiro bajo de otro jugador del cuadro interior. "Sacarla de la tierra".
Correr con fuerza a través de la primera base en una jugada de bola de tierra cerrada en un intento de superar el tiro.
abollado (arriba)
Herido; a menudo se utiliza en referencia a lesiones menores persistentes.
comensal
Un jonrón.
siesta de tierra
Tropezar o caer en el campo exterior o en las bases. Un salvamento desperdiciado también puede denominarse "saddle-nap" (siesta en la tierra).
lista de discapacitados
Un medio por el cual los equipos de las Grandes Ligas pueden retirar temporalmente a los jugadores lesionados de su plantel activo . Luego, se puede convocar a otro jugador como reemplazo durante este tiempo. El término "lista de lesionados" fue reemplazado por "lista de lesionados" antes de la temporada 2019 de la MLB.
plato
El bateador se mantiene alejado del plato [Home Plate].
Un lanzamiento, especialmente uno bueno. "Aquí viene el plato (el lanzamiento)", o "Él realmente está lanzando bien esta noche".
buceando sobre el plato
Cuando un bateador tiende a inclinarse hacia el plato para poder batear con más facilidad una pelota que está fuera de la zona de strike, se dice que está "lanzándose sobre el plato" o "lanzándose hacia el lanzamiento". Para proteger la zona de strike, un lanzador puede responder a esto lanzando la pelota hacia adentro, tal vez con un "lanzamiento con propósito". "Ahora Glavine tiene un ecualizador con su cutter. Puede ponerla en las manos de los lanzadores diestros para evitar que se lancen sobre el plato con impunidad con su sinker y su cambio de velocidad". [86]
DESCARGAR
La lista de lesionados. A veces se usa como verbo, como en "Wood fue puesto en la lista de lesionados ayer".
curando la pelota
Aplicar una sustancia extraña a la pelota o alterarla de alguna otra manera para darle un giro antinatural a un lanzamiento. Ejemplos: aplicar vaselina o saliva (una bola de papel escupido ), raspar con papel de lija, lima de cartón (una bola de esmeril ) o frotar vigorosamente para crear un área brillante de la pelota (una bola brillante ). Todas estas acciones se volvieron ilegales a partir de la temporada de 1920, lo que ayudó a terminar con la era de la bola muerta . ( Reglas Oficiales de Béisbol, Regla 8.02(a) ). En la práctica, existen ambigüedades sobre qué tipo de cosas puede hacer legalmente un lanzador. [87]
También se han dado varios casos famosos de manipulación del bate en las Grandes Ligas. Véase bate tapado con corcho .
polla
Un jonrón.
punto
Término coloquial que se utiliza para referirse al lanzador que golpea al bateador con una pelota lanzada (lanzamiento de derribo), ya sea intencional o accidentalmente. Si un jugador "hace que se note" al lanzador (tardando mucho en recorrer las bases o celebrando excesivamente después de un jonrón), si un lanzamiento golpea a un jugador importante de un equipo o si un jugador viola una de las reglas no escritas del béisbol , el jugador infractor puede esperar que se le "ponga un punto" la próxima vez que esté al bate como una forma de intimidación o corrección de la infracción percibida. Otra de las "reglas no escritas" es que el "punto" que haga el lanzador debe estar por debajo del nivel del pecho del bateador para minimizar el riesgo de lesiones, ya que un lanzamiento más alto corre el riesgo de lesiones en las manos o incluso en la cabeza. Lanzar más alto se conoce como "cacería de cabezas" o "zumbar la torre", y pone al lanzador en riesgo de sufrir violencia real por parte del otro equipo.
Cuando un lanzador lanza strikes en las esquinas de la zona de strike, se dice que está punteando las esquinas.
doble
Un hit en el que el bateador llega a salvo a la segunda base antes de que la pelota pueda regresar al cuadro interior. También se denomina hit de dos bases.
doble embrague
Cuando un jugador de campo (generalmente un jugador de cuadro interior o un receptor) lleva el brazo hacia atrás dos veces antes de lanzar, se dice que hace "doble embrague". Esta vacilación a menudo conduce a un lanzamiento retrasado o tardío, lo que permite a los corredores avanzar una base. El término se tomó prestado de un método de cambio de marchas en un vehículo automotor.
Estacionado en doble fila
Un lanzador que está logrando muchos outs rápidamente. Da a entender que ha estacionado su auto ilegalmente y que está tratando de regresar a él para evitar una multa, y que por eso está ansioso por obtener outs rápidamente.
doble juego
Una jugada de la defensa en la que dos jugadores ofensivos quedan outs como resultado de una acción continua que da como resultado dos outs. Un ejemplo típico es la doble jugada 6-4-3.
La combinación de doble play (o combo DP) de un equipo está formada por el campocorto y el segunda base, porque estos jugadores son los jugadores clave en una doble jugada 6-4-3 o 4-6-3. A veces también se los llama compañeros de saco porque juegan a ambos lados de la segunda base (también conocido como segundo saco).
'Roll a bump' es una jerga coloquial de la costa este para referirse a un doble play 1-6-3 o un doble play 1-4-3.
profundidad de doble juego
Una táctica defensiva que posiciona a los jugadores del cuadro central para estar mejor preparados para una doble jugada a expensas de posicionarse para un hit al lado de la tercera base .
doble robo
Dos corredores intentan robar una base simultáneamente. Esto se observa típicamente cuando los corredores que están en primera y segunda intentan robar segunda y tercera. Otro ejemplo común es cuando un corredor en primera roba segunda, incitando al receptor a lanzar a segunda para que el corredor en tercera pueda robar home.
doble interruptor
El doble cambio es un tipo de sustitución de jugadores que permite a un manager hacer una sustitución de lanzador y una sustitución defensiva (fildeo) mientras que al mismo tiempo mejora la alineación ofensiva (bateo) del equipo. Esto se utiliza de manera más efectiva cuando un lanzador necesita ser reemplazado mientras su equipo está a la defensiva, y su turno para batear se acerca en el próximo intento ofensivo de su equipo. En lugar de reemplazar al lanzador con otro lanzador, un jugador de posición (uno que bateó recientemente en el último intento ofensivo de su equipo) es reemplazado por un nuevo lanzador, y el lanzador saliente es reemplazado por un jugador capaz de jugar la posición del jugador de posición saliente. Los dos sustitutos luego intercambian sus roles defensivos naturales pero mantienen las posiciones del orden de bateo de aquellos que reemplazaron para que cuando el equipo vuelva a batear, sea el jugador de posición recientemente sustituido el que batee durante el turno del lanzador vacante, y el nuevo lanzador no tenga que batear hasta que llegue nuevamente el turno del jugador de posición saliente. El doble cambio se utiliza principalmente en ligas que no utilizan bateadores designados , como la Liga Central de Japón o la Liga Nacional antes de 2022.
doblarse
Cuando un corredor queda en segundo lugar en una doble jugada, se puede decir que ha sido doblemente eliminado. Puede tratarse de un bateador que ha bateado para una doble jugada o de un corredor que es atrapado fuera de base cuando un fildeador atrapa una pelota y la lanza detrás del corredor a un fildeador que toca la base para completar una doble jugada (de ahí que se diga que el corredor ha sido "doblado" por fuera).
Un equipo que gana un partido doble puede describirse como alguien que duplica a su oponente: " Los Royals duplican a los Blue Jays ". [88] También se refiere a ganar por exactamente el doble de la cantidad de carreras del oponente, como un marcador de 8–4 o 6–3.
doble cartelera
Cuando los mismos dos equipos juegan dos partidos el mismo día. Cuando los partidos se juegan a última hora del día, se denominan doble jornada "twilight-night" o "twinnight". Cuando un partido se juega por la tarde y otro por la noche (normalmente con entradas por separado), se denomina doble jornada "day-night". Una doble jornada también se puede denominar "Twinbill". En las ligas menores y el béisbol universitario, los partidos de doble jornada suelen programarse para siete entradas en lugar de las nueve habituales de un partido reglamentario.
Según el diccionario Dickson, se cree que el término deriva de un término ferroviario que designa el uso de dos motores unidos (un "doble cabezal") para tirar de un tren excepcionalmente largo.
bateador de dobles
Un bateador que pega en la brecha.
"abajo"
"Uno fuera" significa que se ha hecho un out en la entrada (quedan dos más en la entrada). "Uno arriba (y) uno abajo" significa que el primer bateador de la entrada quedó fuera. "Dos abajo" significa que se han hecho dos outs en la entrada (queda uno más). "Dos arriba (y) dos abajo": los dos primeros bateadores de la entrada fueron retirados (fueron outs). "Tres arriba, tres abajo": los equipos retirados en orden.
A lo largo de la línea
En el campo cerca de las líneas de falta, a menudo se refiere a la ubicación de las bolas bateadas.
Por el medio
En la parte media del plato de home , a menudo se refiere a la ubicación de los lanzamientos. También se lo conoce como down the pipe , down the pike , down Main Street , down Broadway y, en Atlanta , down Peachtree . Es muy diferente de up the middle.
En la recta final
Cuando un equipo se acerca al final de la temporada en busca del banderín o del campeonato, está en la recta final. Tal vez esto se derive de las carreras de caballos o de automóviles en las que los competidores salen de la última curva de la pista y se dirigen hacia la recta final hacia la línea de meta. " Detroit proporcionó una ofensiva más que suficiente para Fister , quien estuvo fantástico en la recta final después de que los Tigres lo adquirieran en un intercambio con Seattle poco antes de la fecha límite del 31 de julio". [89]
Combinación de DP
Término coloquial para una combinación de campocorto y segunda base, como ejecutores principales de dobles jugadas. A veces también se los conoce como "sackmates". En términos generales, solo las mejores combinaciones de jugadores del cuadro medio se denominan combinaciones de dobles jugadas.
toque de arrastre
Un toque en el que un bateador zurdo realiza un toque fuera del alcance del lanzador y hacia el lado derecho del cuadro interior, con la esperanza de llegar a salvo a la primera base. A menudo, este tipo de toque tiene un elemento sorpresa para aprovechar la velocidad del bateador y el hecho de que el primera base y el segunda base están jugando en sus posiciones más atrás. El bateador puede incluso dar un paso hacia la primera base mientras toca la pelota, dando la impresión de que arrastra la pelota con él mientras corre hacia la primera base.
dibujar
A veces se dice que un bateador al que se le canta una bola ha "sacado una bola" o "sacado una base por bolas". "Después de una breve pausa para poner en juego pelotas de béisbol especialmente marcadas, Bonds sacó la bola uno y la bola dos -mientras llovían abucheos sobre VandenHurk- antes de que se cantara el primer strike. Luego, la bola rápida de 96 mph se fue -un batazo estimado de 420 pies". [90]
dibujado en
Cuando el equipo de los jardines juega más cerca del cuadro interior para evitar que las pelotas elevadas caigan entre ellos y los jugadores del cuadro interior, se dice que están "atrapados". Esto suele suceder cuando el juego está reñido en la última entrada, y con menos de dos outs, y el equipo defensivo quiere evitar que la ofensiva consiga hits que puedan anotar la carrera ganadora (aunque admitiendo que una pelota elevada larga puede anotar una carrera incluso si la pelota es atrapada en los jardines).
El cuadro interior también puede dibujarse si hay un corredor en tercera base con menos de dos outs, de modo que los jugadores del cuadro interior pueden fildear una bola de tierra e intentar sacar al corredor en el plato.
Un solo jugador del cuadro interior, generalmente el tercera base o el primera base, también puede jugar "dentro" cuando se anticipa que un bateador puede intentar hacer un toque de sacrificio.
drible
Un roletazo mal golpeado que gana poca distancia y consta de varios saltos; a veces se usa como sinónimo de toque [91]
perforado
Golpeado por un lanzamiento, se dejó caer.
conducir
Una línea de transmisión (sustantivo).
Conectar una línea (verbo). " Magglio condujo la pelota hacia el centro".
Para hacer hits que produzcan carreras impulsadas. " Tejada lo impulsó desde segunda." " Ramírez impulsó tres."
gota
Perder un partido. " Los Tigres caen por cuarta vez consecutiva al perder ante los Blue Jays ". [92]
Vencer a otro equipo es también perderlo . Titular: " Los Dodgers están a una victoria de asegurar un lugar en los playoffs tras perder contra los Nacionales ". [93]
Caída del murciélago.
dejar caer la pelota
Una bola de sinker. También conocida como dropper o el droppo .
Algunas bolas curvas extremas de 12 a 6 también se conocen como "bolas de caída", ya que comienzan altas y se hunden al llegar al plato.
dejar caer la mesa
Una bola lanzada, generalmente una bola curva, que se rompe de manera extremadamente brusca.
Cayó el tercer strike
Un tercer strike caído ocurre cuando el receptor no logra atrapar limpiamente un lanzamiento que es un tercer strike (ya sea porque el bateador hace swing y no lo alcanza o porque el árbitro lo canta). El lanzamiento no se considera atrapado limpiamente si la pelota toca el suelo antes de ser atrapada, o si la pelota se cae después de ser atrapada. En un tercer strike caído, se canta el strike (y al lanzador se le acredita un ponche), pero el árbitro indica verbalmente que la pelota no fue atrapada y no canta out al bateador. Si la primera base no está ocupada en ese momento (o, con dos outs, incluso con la primera base ocupada), el bateador puede intentar llegar a la primera base antes de ser tocado o expulsado. Dada esta regla, es posible que un lanzador registre más de tres ponches en una entrada.
resoplido de pato
Una pelota golpeada suavemente que pasa por encima de los jugadores del cuadro interior y cae en el campo exterior para convertirse en un hit. Originalmente llamado "pedo de pato", [ cita requerida ] el término fue popularizado por el locutor de los White Sox, Hawk Harrelson, para hacerlo más familiar.
patos en el estanque
Corredores en segunda o tercera base, pero sobre todo cuando las bases están llenas. "Su promedio de bateo es de .350 cuando hay patos en el estanque".
pendiente
Se dice que un bateador está "a punto de batear" cuando ha estado en una mala racha, pero normalmente batea con un promedio aceptable o mejor. Ejemplo: " Paul Konerko está 0 de 3 hoy, está a punto de batear". Esta es una versión de béisbol de la falacia del jugador .
El dugout es el lugar donde se ubica el banquillo de un equipo. Con la excepción de los lanzadores de relevo en el bullpen, los jugadores activos que no están en el campo observan el juego desde el dugout. Un dugout es el área que se encuentra ligeramente hundida por debajo del nivel del campo, como es común en el béisbol profesional. Normalmente hay un límite, a menudo pintado de amarillo, que define los bordes del dugout, para ayudar al árbitro a tomar ciertas decisiones, como si una pelota lanzada demasiado lejos se considera "en el banquillo" o no. El libro de reglas todavía usa el término banco , ya que no hay ningún requisito de que esté "en el banquillo" o necesariamente por debajo del nivel del campo. Los bancos originales normalmente estaban al nivel del campo, con o sin un pequeño techo para dar sombra. A medida que avanzaba el diseño del estadio, se construyeron palcos más cerca del campo, lo que redujo la altura de la barandilla de la tribuna y obligó a adoptar el enfoque de dugout para la construcción de los bancos.
vertedero
Se puede decir que un jugador que toca la pelota hace un dump de bunt. "Polanco hizo un dump de bunt por la línea de tercera base". Véase también lay down. Un bateador diestro hace un dump de bunt a tercera y empuja el toque a primera. Un bateador zurdo arrastra la pelota a primera y empuja el toque a tercera.
plumero, brea para quitar el polvo
Un lanzamiento, a menudo un brush-back, lanzado tan adentro que el bateador cae al suelo ("golpea el polvo") para evitarlo. De manera un tanto contradictoria, en la misma jugada se puede decir que el lanzador "se sacudió el polvo" del bateador.
codorniz moribunda
Una pelota bateada que cae frente a los jardineros y se convierte en hit, a menudo de manera inesperada (como un pájaro baleado). También se la conoce como blooper, li'l looper, chinker, bleeder o gork.
mi
ERA
Ver promedio de carreras limpias.
entradas tempranas
Las primeras tres entradas de un juego reglamentario de nueve entradas.
carrera ganada
Cualquier carrera por la que se le atribuye responsabilidad al lanzador (es decir, la carrera no se anotó como resultado de un error de fildeo o una bola pasada). Se utiliza principalmente para calcular el promedio de carreras limpias. Al determinar las carreras limpias, un error imputado a un lanzador se trata exactamente como un error imputado a cualquier otro fildeador. Algunos lanzadores, en particular Ed Lynch , se referían a las carreras limpias como "earnies".
promedio de carreras limpias
En las estadísticas de béisbol, el promedio de carreras limpias permitidas es la media de las carreras limpias permitidas por un lanzador por cada nueve entradas lanzadas. Se determina dividiendo la cantidad de carreras limpias permitidas por la cantidad de entradas lanzadas y multiplicando por nueve. Las carreras resultantes de errores defensivos se registran como carreras no limpias y se omiten de los cálculos de ERA.
Ganar dinero
Una carrera ganada. "El desafortunado perdedor fue Carson Wheeler, quien permitió seis carreras ganadas en una entrada y media de trabajo". [94]
salida fácil
Un recordatorio para el equipo defensivo de que cuando hay dos outs, solo se necesita uno más para terminar la entrada y, por lo tanto, deben obtener el out más fácil posible. "Vamos a la defensa, dos outs, obtengan el out fácil". Un out fácil también es un bateador que batea débil, generalmente en la parte inferior del orden.
come la pelota
La acción de fildear una pelota bateada (generalmente de manera limpia o casi limpia) pero reteniéndola en lugar de intentar hacer un tiro a una base para retirar a un corredor. Esto se hace generalmente porque el fildeador cree que hay pocas posibilidades de retirar al corredor y que sería preferible permitir que el corredor llegue a una base sin ser desafiado en lugar de arriesgarse a cometer un error que podría permitirle avanzar bases adicionales. La frase se usa generalmente solo para describir la acción de un jugador de cuadro, receptor o lanzador. "Ese lanzador lento no logró pasar a Scutaro , pero decidió comerse la pelota en lugar de arriesgarse a un tiro para morder al veloz Gardner ". También se usa comúnmente en tiempo pasado. "El tercera base Cabrera se comió la pelota después de ese gran toque de Juan Pierre ". [ cita requerida ]
Eephus
Un lanzamiento muy lento con una trayectoria de arco alto. Inventado por el lanzador de los Piratas de Pittsburgh de la década de 1930, Rip Sewell , es parte del repertorio del lanzador de los Phillies, José Contreras; se lanza muy raramente para engañar al ritmo del bateador. Es mejor usarlo con moderación, porque puede ser muy fácil de batear sin el elemento sorpresa. Ted Williams dijo que el jonrón ganador que conectó contra Sewell en el Juego de las Estrellas de 1946 fue su mayor emoción en el béisbol.
expulsar
Jugador o entrenador que es descalificado del juego por un árbitro debido a conducta antideportiva . Los sinónimos incluyen: expulsado, expulsado, desterrado, perseguido, expulsado con el pulgar, expulsado con la (vieja) patada, expulsado, expulsado, enviado a la casa club.
oreja(s) de elefante
Cuando el forro de los bolsillos de un jugador sobresale de los mismos.
truco de emergencia
Un swing defensivo tardío y a menudo torpe ante un lanzamiento que normalmente parece una pelota pero que llega tarde a la zona de strike.
Arranque de emergencia
Cuando un lanzador que normalmente es relevista o juega en las ligas menores es llamado a iniciar el juego con poca antelación porque el abridor originalmente programado está lesionado o enfermo. Ilustración: "Con Chan Ho Park fuera de juego indefinidamente por lo que se diagnosticó como anemia, se espera que Mike Thompson reciba la llamada una vez más como abridor de emergencia, llegando vía Portland , donde ha pasado los últimos 10 días con los Beavers de Triple-A ". [95]
bola de esmeril
Pelota de béisbol raspada con una lima de uñas . Método que utiliza un lanzador para manipular la pelota; ilegal desde 1920. También conocida como pelota raspada .
borrar
Un corredor que ya se encuentra a salvo en una base es "borrado" al ser expulsado.
error
Un error es una mala jugada de un fildeador que permite a un bateador o corredor de base alcanzar una o más bases adicionales cuando, a juicio del anotador oficial , ese avance podría haberse evitado con un esfuerzo normal. Un error también se contabiliza cuando un fildeador no logra atrapar una pelota de fly de falta que podría haber sido atrapada con un esfuerzo normal. El término error también puede referirse a la jugada en la que se cometió un error. Debido a que el lanzador y el receptor manejan tanto la pelota, algunas jugadas incorrectas de ellos se denominan "lanzamiento descontrolado" o "bola pasada", y no se cuentan como errores.
SINÓNIMOS: error, metedura de pata, pifia, error, patada o patada ("López pateó el roletazo"; "Johnson lo pateó").
incluso contar
1-1 o 2-2. Ver recuento.
jugador cotidiano
Un jugador de posición, a diferencia de un lanzador que puede jugar solo cada pocos días. A veces, un prospecto talentoso que es un buen lanzador pero un bateador sobresaliente se verá alentado a concentrarse en jugar en otra posición y, de ese modo, convertirse en un jugador habitual para aprovechar su bateo.
Un jugador de posición que es habitual en la alineación titular en prácticamente todos los partidos, a diferencia de:
un jugador de pelotón que juega sólo contra lanzadores de la mano opuesta.
un suplente que comienza la mayoría de los juegos en el banco o que solo comienza ocasionalmente los juegos para reemplazar al jugador titular regular en su posición. A veces, a estos jugadores se los conoce como jugadores de banco o jugadores de rol . También pueden asumir tareas de bateo o carrera emergente.
Imperio del mal
Un apodo común para los Yankees de Nueva York debido a su riqueza y a que han ganado la mayor cantidad de campeonatos. Este apodo lo usan especialmente los fanáticos de los Medias Rojas de Boston y, en menor medida, los fanáticos de otros equipos. Incluso algunos fanáticos de los Yankees se han llamado a sí mismos y a su equipo el "Imperio del Mal" como una insignia de honor.
Disculpe el swing
Cuando un bateador golpea la pelota sin darse cuenta durante un swing de control. Contrasta con un toque de swing .
ampliar la zona de strike
Cuando un lanzador se adelanta en el conteo, "expande la zona de strike" porque es más probable que el bateador le haga swing a un lanzamiento que está en el borde o fuera de la zona de strike o en algún otro lugar donde no puede batearlo. "Lo ideal es que un lanzador intente adelantarse en el conteo y cuando esto sucede, el lanzador efectivamente ha 'expandido la zona de strike' ya que el bateador ahora está a la defensiva y será más propenso a perseguir lanzamientos fuera de la zona de strike". [96]
lista ampliada
Un término de las Grandes Ligas para el plantel más grande de jugadores que se puede usar en circunstancias específicas, como cuando se suma un jugador adicional en días de doble jornada o la controvertida práctica anterior (antes de 2019) cuando los planteles de las Grandes Ligas podían expandirse de 25 a 40 jugadores el 1 de septiembre.
extender los brazos
Cuando un bateador es capaz de batear un lanzamiento que está a una distancia cómoda de su cuerpo, se dice que ha "extendido sus brazos", lo que le permite un swing completo y golpear la pelota con más fuerza. " JD Martínez ha conectado dos jonrones en tres turnos al bate en su carrera ante Allen , quien estaba tratando de proteger una ventaja de 2-1 contra el medio de la aclamada alineación de Detroit. 'Simplemente estaba tirando demasiado', dijo Allen. 'Simplemente no hice los lanzamientos cuando tenía que hacerlo. Un lanzamiento: JD Martínez se extendió en una bola rápida y la golpeó muy fuerte'". [97]
bases adicionales
Cualquier base ganada por un bateador más allá de la primera base con un hit. Por lo tanto, los dobles cuentan como una "base extra", los triples como dos y los jonrones como tres. Este tipo de hits se conocen como "hits de base extra" y mejoran el porcentaje de slugging de un bateador.
entradas extras
Se necesitan entradas adicionales para determinar un ganador si un juego está empatado después de la cantidad reglamentaria de entradas (nueve en el nivel universitario/profesional, siete en el nivel de escuela secundaria, seis en las Pequeñas Ligas). También se lo conoce como béisbol extra o béisbol gratuito porque los espectadores que pagan pueden presenciar más acción de lo normal. A veces, pero no comúnmente, se lo denomina "tiempo extra" como una jugada en otros deportes de equipo.
marcos adicionales
Véase entradas extra. Véase también cuadro.
extra fuera
Cuando un equipo comete un error en una jugada defensiva que debería haber sido un out fácil, se dice que el equipo le ha dado a su oponente un "out extra". "Hubo un par de entradas en las que les dimos outs extra", dijo Wedge . "Puede que no sean errores, pero no estamos haciendo jugadas". [98]
colirio
Argot del béisbol para el concepto de “falso esfuerzo” o “trabajar duro para aparentar que se trabaja duro”. [99]
La única vez que el Clásico de Otoño se jugó en el verano fue en 1918, cuando la temporada se interrumpió debido a la Primera Guerra Mundial y la Serie se jugó a principios de septiembre.
La primera vez que el Clásico de Otoño se extendió hasta noviembre fue en 2001. El jonrón de Jeter para dejar en el campo a los bateadores fue la primera aparición al plato en el mes de noviembre en la historia de la MLB; la temporada 2001 se había retrasado varios días después del 11 de septiembre , lo que finalmente empujó el inicio de la Serie Mundial a la última semana de octubre y el final de la Serie a noviembre. Las Series Mundiales de 2009, 2010 y 2015-17 posteriormente tendrían juegos en noviembre.
"Abanicar" a un bateador es poncharlo, especialmente si se trata de un tercer strike.
Interferencia del ventilador
Cuando un aficionado o cualquier persona no asociada con uno de los equipos altera el desarrollo de una jugada (a juicio de un árbitro), se trata de una interferencia de un aficionado. La pelota queda muerta y el árbitro otorgará las bases o cargará los outs que, a su juicio, se hubieran producido sin la interferencia. Este es uno de los varios tipos de interferencias que se pueden marcar en el béisbol.
Si un aficionado toca una pelota que está fuera del terreno de juego, como un elevado que se dirige a las gradas, no se considera interferencia de un aficionado, incluso si un jugador defensivo hubiera podido atrapar la pelota con éxito. Por lo tanto, el infame caso en el Juego 6 de la Serie de Campeonato de la Liga Nacional en el que un aficionado de los Cachorros de Chicago , Steve Bartman , intentó atrapar una pelota en territorio de foul, lo que posiblemente impidió que el jardinero izquierdo de los Cachorros , Moisés Alou , hiciera una atrapada espectacular, no fue un caso de interferencia de un aficionado.
elegante dan
Un jardinero que le da un toque extra a sus movimientos mientras hace una jugada con la esperanza de ganarse la aprobación de los espectadores. [100] [101] Wilbert Robinson era el manager cuando Al López comenzó como receptor en las mayores. Robinson observó el estilo de López y finalmente gritó: "¡Díganle a ese idiota que tiene dos manos para atrapar! No se preocupen por las cosas de Fancy Dan". López eventualmente superó el récord de Robinson de juegos detrás del plato.
equipo de granja
Un equipo de ligas menores es un equipo o club cuyo papel es brindar experiencia y entrenamiento a jugadores jóvenes, con la expectativa de que los jugadores exitosos pasen a las grandes ligas en algún momento. La organización de cada equipo de las Grandes Ligas de Béisbol tiene un sistema de ligas menores de diferentes niveles de béisbol .
bola rápida
Un lanzamiento que se lanza más para lograr una alta velocidad que para moverse; es el tipo de lanzamiento más común. También se lo conoce como humo, bala, calentador (el calor generado por la pelota se puede sentir), exprés (a diferencia del lanzamiento local, que es lento) o hummer (la pelota no se puede ver, solo escuchar).
conteo de bolas rápidas
Un conteo en el que normalmente se esperaría que el lanzador lanzara una bola rápida, como 3–1, 3–2 o 2–1, ya que las bolas rápidas suelen ser más fáciles de localizar en la zona de strike. Ocasionalmente, un lanzador tirará de la cuerda al lanzar un lanzamiento lento.
bola rápida feliz
Cuando un lanzador confía demasiado en su bola rápida, tal vez porque sus otros lanzamientos no le están funcionando bien durante ese juego, se dice que está "feliz con la bola rápida". Esto puede causarle problemas al lanzador si los bateadores pueden anticipar que el próximo lanzamiento será una bola rápida. "Andy está en su mejor momento cuando confía en su habilidad para lanzar rompientes y no intenta dominar a los oponentes. Cuando se siente feliz con la bola rápida, recibe golpes". [102]
tono gordo
Un lanzamiento que se ubica exactamente donde el bateador lo espera. La pelota puede parecer más grande de lo que es en realidad y el bateador puede golpearla muy lejos.
alimentar
Lanzar la pelota con cuidado a otro fildeador de manera que le permita hacer un out. Un jugador de primera base que acaba de fildear una pelota de tierra "pasará la pelota" al lanzador que corre desde el montículo para hacer el out forzado en primera base. Un jugador de cuadro que ha fildeado una pelota de tierra pasará la pelota al jugador que cubre la segunda base para que este último pueda pisar la base y lanzar rápidamente a primera base para completar un doble play.
rompedor de cercas
Un bateador.
campo
Un campo de béisbol o diamante de béisbol en el que se juega el juego de béisbol.
Fildear la pelota es capturar o hacer una jugada sobre una pelota en el suelo o atrapar una pelota elevada.
Entrar al campo significa que los jugadores defensivos van a sus posiciones, mientras que el otro equipo está a la ofensiva o al bate. "Los Rojos han entrado al campo y José Reyes es el primero en batear por los Mets".
jardinero
Cualquier jugador defensivo (la ofensiva son los bateadores y corredores). A menudo, los jugadores defensivos se distinguen como lanzadores o jugadores de posición . Los jugadores de posición se dividen a su vez en jugadores de cuadro y jardineros .
gerente de campo
El entrenador principal de un equipo se denomina manager (más formalmente, el director de campo). Controla la estrategia del equipo en el campo. Establece la alineación y el lanzador abridor antes de cada juego, así como también hace sustituciones durante el juego. En el béisbol moderno, el director de campo normalmente está subordinado al gerente general (o GM) del equipo, quien, entre otras cosas, es responsable de las decisiones de personal, incluida la contratación y el despido del director de campo. Sin embargo, el término manager utilizado sin calificación casi siempre se refiere al director de campo.
elección del fildeador
La elección del fildeador (FC) es el acto por el cual un fildeador, al atrapar una pelota bateada, decide intentar poner out a un corredor y permitir que el bateador-corredor avance a la primera base . A pesar de llegar a la primera base sin problemas después de golpear la pelota, al bateador no se le acredita un hit, sino que se le contabiliza un turno al bate.
avellana figger
Una forma más antigua y colorida de decir "loco por los números" o "estadístico" para un fanático con un interés casi obsesivo en las estadísticas o "cifras" del juego. El primer "figger filbert" verdadero fue probablemente Ernest Lanigan, quien fue el primer historiador del Salón de la Fama del Béisbol y antes de eso fue uno de los primeros, si no el primero, en publicar una enciclopedia de estadísticas de béisbol, en la década de 1920. En la era moderna, se podría decir que Bill James es el icónico "figger filbert". También es uno de los padres fundadores del campo de investigación del béisbol llamado sabermetría . [ cita requerida ]
pelear fuera de un campo
Cuando un bateador tiene dos strikes en contra y recibe un lanzamiento que no puede batear con claridad, se puede decir que "lucha contra el lanzamiento" al batearlo con un foul. " Langerhans luchó contra un lanzamiento 3-2, luego condujo el siguiente hacia el hueco en el jardín central izquierdo para traer a casa las carreras del empate y la victoria". [103]
asqueroso
Un cumplido para un lanzador, especialmente para uno que se especializa en lanzamientos rompientes con mucho movimiento. También para un lanzamiento rompiente particularmente impresionante, especialmente uno lanzado para un tercer strike. Sinónimo de "desagradable". Bert Blyleven fue un ejemplo de un lanzador con una bola curva absolutamente sucia.
Encuentra un agujero
Conseguir un hit bateando la pelota entre los jugadores del cuadro interior. "El decimotercer rodado que Zachry permitió encontró un hueco". [104]
Encuentra su bate
Cuando un bateador ha estado en una mala racha sin razón aparente, pero luego comienza a conseguir hits, se puede decir que ha "encontrado su bate". "Después de que los Tigres encontraron su bate por una noche, reiniciaron la serie y se colocaron en posición de prácticamente asegurar la División Central de la Liga Americana". [105]
Encuentra su swing
Cuando un bateador ha experimentado una mala racha, puede que necesite más práctica o instrucción para "encontrar su swing". Quizás tenga un problema con su swing o haya cambiado su postura de bateo. Habiendo "perdido su swing", ahora debe "encontrarlo". Esta frase también se utiliza en el golf .
Encuentra los asientos
Como si una pelota que sale del bate buscara un lugar donde caer, una pelota que "encuentra los asientos" es aquella que sale del campo de juego y llega a las gradas. Puede ser un jonrón o una pelota de falta (fuera del alcance de los fildeadores).
bola de fuego
Un lanzador que lanza bolas rápidas a velocidades extremadamente altas, superiores a 95 millas por hora. Un lanzallamas.
bombero
El lanzador de relevo más destacado de un equipo, que suele ser contratado para poner fin a una ofensiva y "apagar el fuego". El término se ha atribuido al caricaturista del New York Daily News Bruce Stark , quien en la década de 1970 representó por primera vez a los relevistas de los New York Mets y los Yankees como bomberos que acudían para salvar a sus equipos del peligro. [106]
Boca de incendio
Un jugador, a menudo de baja estatura, conocido por su energía, extroversión y espíritu de equipo, a veces quizás más que por su habilidad para jugar. " Morgan desafió este molde trabajando más que todos y empleando sus dotes atléticas moderadas para convertirse en uno de los mejores jugadores completos de su era. Bateaba con potencia, bateaba con promedio, robaba bases y fabricaba carreras y era uno de los segunda base defensivos más duros e inteligentes que el juego haya visto jamás. Era un implacable bombardero, respetado por los jugadores rivales y odiado por los aficionados rivales". [107]
bateador de primera bola
Un bateador al que le gusta golpear el primer lanzamiento en un turno al bate, especialmente si el bateador a menudo consigue un hit en el primer lanzamiento.
Puño
Cuando un bateador le hace swing a un lanzamiento que está dentro de la base y la pelota golpea el bate cerca de sus puños (manos). "Después de la primera mitad de la primera entrada, la ofensiva de los Bulls atacó temprano cuando el jardinero izquierdo junior Junior Carlin golpeó con el puño un lanzamiento hacia el medio en un conteo de 1-0". [108]
cinco y bucear
Término despectivo que se refiere a un lanzador abridor que no puede lanzar más de cinco entradas antes de agotarse. En la era actual, en la que los mánagers son cada vez más conscientes del riesgo de lesiones que corren los lanzadores que lanzan muchas veces y en la que el relevo se ha convertido en una parte fundamental del juego, los lanzadores abridores logran cada vez menos juegos completos. Titular: "Vásquez disputa la etiqueta de lanzador de cinco entradas y tirarse". [109]
bateador de las cinco en punto
Un bateador que batea muy bien durante la práctica de bateo, pero no tan bien durante los juegos. Antes, estos bateadores eran conocidos como "bateadores de las diez" o "bateadores de las dos" cuando no había juegos nocturnos.
jugador de cinco herramientas
Ver jugador de 5 herramientas.
Florida o Florida
Abreviatura de Liga Federal , una liga mayor que existió entre 1914 y 1915. Esta sería la última "tercera Liga Mayor" en existir.
bandera abajo
Atrapar o derribar una línea , como si se estuviera haciendo señas a un tren que se desplaza a toda velocidad. " Cody Ross , que conectó un sencillo y avanzó a segunda con un roletazo, se quedó varado cuando la línea quemada de Ramírez ... fue derribada por un Jones que se zambulló ." [110]
echador de llama
Un lanzador de bolas de fuego.
llamarada
Una pelota alta golpeó una corta distancia hacia el campo exterior. " Pudge pegó una pelota que quedó fuera del alcance del campocorto".
mostrando el cuero
Realizar una jugada defensiva sobresaliente o difícil. Un jugador que regularmente realiza jugadas defensivas difíciles puede ser descrito como un "leather flasher" (ver cuero).
voltear
El acto de un fildeador que lanza suavemente la pelota a un compañero de equipo que cubre una base cuando los dos están tan cerca que hacer un tiro por encima de la cabeza normal perdería tiempo y/o correría el riesgo innecesario de un tiro impreciso.
Un juego que se juega en el bullpen con lanzadores de relevo. Existen múltiples reglas y estrategias que se pueden utilizar.
flotador
Una bola de nudillos. Un lanzamiento que puede parecerle al bateador que flota o se mueve hacia arriba y hacia abajo en su camino hacia el plato.
golpe de suerte
Un hit que resulta de una pelota bateada débilmente o que tiene un rebote extraño.
bola de revoloteo
Una bola de nudillos, un flotador.
bola de fly
Una pelota que se batea a gran altura. Véase también fly de pop, fly de infield y rodado.
lanzador de pelota voladora
Un lanzador que tiende a provocar más elevados que rodados. Estos lanzadores tienen la desventaja de permitir más jonrones que cualquier otro lanzador.
volar fuera
Un out que resulta cuando un jardinero atrapa una pelota elevada.
Se dice que un bateador cuya pelota es atrapada en el campo "fly out". "Rodríguez hizo fly out al jardinero central Suzuki". (Se acepta el tiempo pasado "flied" ) .
juego forzado
Cuando un corredor debe avanzar a otra base porque el bateador se convierte en corredor y, como tal, debe avanzar a la primera base. En esta situación, el corredor queda fuera si un fildeador con la pelota toca la base a la que se ve obligado a llegar el corredor; esto se considera un "out forzado". Una jugada en la que se atrapa una pelota elevada y un fildeador toca una base antes de que el corredor toque la base no es una jugada forzada, sino una jugada de apelación.
bola de tenedor
Un tipo de bola rápida con los dedos separados o splitter en la que los dedos se separan lo más posible. La bola cae bruscamente y, por lo general, fuera de la zona de strike, tal vez incluso en el suelo.
bola de falta
Una pelota bateada que se asienta en territorio foul.
Dos líneas rectas trazadas en el suelo desde el plato de home hasta la cerca del jardín exterior para indicar el límite entre el territorio fair y el territorio foul . Estas se denominan línea foul del jardín izquierdo y línea foul del jardín derecho , o línea foul de tercera base y línea foul de primera base , respectivamente. Los postes foul en las paredes del jardín exterior son extensiones verticales de las líneas foul.
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
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
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
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
A home run. Note that the 4th "bag" is actually a plate.
four-fingered salute
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
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
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.[111]
free baseball
Slang for extra innings. The fans get to see extra innings "for free".
free pass
A base on balls. "Free" because the batter does not have to hit the ball to get on base. Also referred to as a "free ticket" and an Annie Oakley.
freeze the hitter
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."[112] "But the right-hander reached in her bag of tricks and threw a tantalizing changeup that froze the hitter for the final out."[113]
friendly confines
A nickname for Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs.
frozen rope
A hard-hit line drive. Also a strong throw from the outfield.
full count
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
Three of a kind (three balls), and two of a kind (two 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
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
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
gamer
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
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.[114]
gap hitter
Hits with power up the alleys and tends to get a lot of doubles. A doubles hitter.
gas
A fastball. "Give him [the batter] the gas"; as in stepping on a car's gas pedal to accelerate.
gascan
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
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..."[115]
GEDP
Abbreviation for game ending double play.
general manager
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
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".[116]
get a good piece of it
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.'"[117]
Getaway Day
Getaway Day (or Getaway Game) refers to the last game of a regular season series (usually on a Wednesday, Thursday, or Sunday afternoon) that sees the visiting team leave town ("get away") after its conclusion, either for the next stop on their road trip or for home. May also refer to the last day of a team's home stand. "MLB's new labor deal requires earlier start times on getaway days."[118]
Getaway Day lineup
A starting lineup for Getaway Day that features backup players. Usually assembled by a manager so that his regular starers can enjoy a day's rest (especially if they had played the night before), though considerations such as the team's standing in the pennant race may preclude him from making such moves. "The San Francisco Giants completed a four-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies, even with a getaway day lineup taking the field."[119][120]
get on one's horse
When a fielder (usually an outfielder) runs extremely fast towards a hard hit ball in an effort to catch it.
get good wood
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
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
Statistical abbreviation for grounded into double play.
glove
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
An abbreviation for general manager.
go-ahead run
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.").
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+2⁄3 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."[122]
go down in order
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
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."[123]
A player who retires without a lot of fanfare or complaining may be said to "go quietly".
go the distance
See go the route.
go the route
A pitcher who throws a complete game "goes the route".
go yard
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
One more way to say "hit a home run".
gold glove
The major league player chosen as the best in his league at fielding his position is given a Gold Glove Award.
golden sombrero
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." Only eight times has a player struck out six times in a game; this is called the "horn" (named by Mike Flanagan after Sam Horn who did this in 1991), "double-platinum sombrero," or "titanium sombrero." If it ever happens, Flanagan said a seven-strikeout game shall be called "Horn-A-Plenty."
golfing
Swinging at an obviously low pitch, particularly one in the dirt. Also used to describe actual contact with a pitch low in the zone.
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
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..."[124]
good hit, no field
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 piece of hitting
A situation where a batter puts the ball in play in a way that maximizes the result for his team. "Good pieces of hitting" tend to result in runs scoring and draining several pitches out of an opposing pitcher, especially in situations where the pitcher's team was looking for a decent amount of length.
good take
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!
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
When a team has zero on the scoreboard.
gopher ball
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
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
Short for "got him out".
got to him early
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
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
Go sit on the bench, used as a taunt after a strikeout. Popularized by Giants sportscaster Mike Krukow.
grand slam
Home run hit with the #bases loaded. A "grand salami" or a "grand ol' ding dong".
grandstand play
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."[125]
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
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."[127]
green monster
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
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."[128]
ground ball
A hit that bounces in the infield. Also grounder. A bunt is not considered a ground ball.
ground ball with eyes
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 grounder, or seeing-eye single.
ground ball pitcher
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
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
Rules specific to a particular ballpark (or grounds) due to unique features of the park and where the standard baseball rules may be inadequate.[129]
guess hitter
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
A strong arm. Also, a cannon.
To throw hard. Announcer (following a grounder and throw to first): "Guillen guns and gets him."
gun down
To throw out a runner. "Valentin was erased when he tried to steal second, though, and Posada gunned him down."[130]
gyroball
Illustration of a gyroball illustrating the sharp breaking motion
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.[131]
H
hack
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."[132] 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."[133]
Hall of Fame
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
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,[134]Lee Smith (who eventually earned Hall of Fame induction), and Mark McGwire.[135]
hammer
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 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
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
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 aloss 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
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."[136]
hard hands
A tendency to mishandle fielded balls. Also stone fingers. Contrast soft hands.
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
Hit By Pitch.
head of lettuce
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
A pitcher who has a reputation for throwing beanballs.
heart of the plate
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."[137]
heat
Also heater. A fastball.
heavy hitter
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
Said of a pitcher who knocks in runs as a hitter, thereby helping himself to earn credit for a win.
herky-jerky
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
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
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
A location pitch thrown above the strike zone and close to the batter.
high cheese
A fastball thrown high in the strike zone.
high hard one
A fastball thrown high in, or above the strike zone.
high heat
A strike thrown high in the strike zone.
high let it fly; low let it go
An adage about batting against a knuckleball pitcher. Fluttering knuckleballs are notoriously hard to hit, especially low in the strike zone.
hill
The pitcher's mound.
hit
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
To hit the ball very hard, typically a line drive.
hit and run
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
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."[138]
hit behind the runner
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
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
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
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
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.[139]
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."[140]
hit parade
A rapid succession of hits within the same inning or a high total of hits throughout a game.
hit the ball on the screws
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."[141] 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
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."[142]
hit the dirt
To slide. Sometimes used also as equivalent to hit the deck.
hitch in his swing
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."[143]
hitter
Batter.
a person who hits a ball with a bat in baseball.
hitter's count
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
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.[144] Baseball Reference [145] and other baseball research organizations also report park factors for major league parks. Baseball Prospectus [146] 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 to 1996, was known as The Launching Pad.
hitterish
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.[147]
hold
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.
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
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
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
A tendency to drop fly balls, usually after they hit (and seem to go through) the fielder's glove.
hole in his swing
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."[148]
hole in the lineup
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."[149] "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."[150]
home
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
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
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.[151] 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
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
The second (bottom) half of an inning, in which the home team is at bat.
home plate
See also plate.
home run
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
A batting competition in which the object is to hit the most home runs.[152] The 1960 television series Home Run Derby featured such a competition.[153] The term can also be used to refer to a game during which many home runs are hit.[154] The term was first used in the 1920s to refer to the race ("derby") between batters to lead their league in home runs for the season.[155]
Since 1985, Major League Baseball has hosted an annual Home Run Derby,[156] and the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) has done so since 1992. At least one minor league, the Southern League, has also held a home run derby.[157] In 2007, the Israel Baseball League played seven-inning games, and if the teams were tied at the end of the seventh inning the tie was broken by use of a home run derby.[158] A number of amusement parks, entertainment centers and batting cages offer a home run derby type competition.[152]
home run trot
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."[159]
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.[160]
home stand
A series of home games. See also road trip.
home team
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
A home run.
A derisive term for a dedicated, almost delusional, fan. Especially used for a broadcaster, in any sport, whose team "can do no wrong"; for example, they might argue a bad strike call, but say nothing about one against the opponent. 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
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
When the batter pulls the ball down the line, starting fair but ending foul, resulting in a foul ball. See also slice foul.
hopper
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
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
A strong arm, said typically of an outfielder. To "be hosed" is to be thrown out on the bases, typically from the outfield.
hot
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.'"[161]
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
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."[162] The phrase originates from the title of a poem by Sam Walter Foss.
howitzer
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".[163]
human rain delay
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."[164]
humpback liner
A ball hit deep in the infield on a trajectory between those of fly balls and line drives.
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
A half-inning in which the pitcher strikes out all three batters he faces with exactly nine pitches.
in the batter's eyes
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
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 (third base can optionally be occupied too).
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
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
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
In general, a baserunner is in jeopardy at any time the ball is live and the baserunner is not touching a base, except in the cases of overrunning first base on a fair ball or advancing to an awarded base, e.g., on a base on balls or hit by pitch. A baserunner who is in jeopardy may be putout by a fielder at any time.[165]
injured list
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
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
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."[166]
inside baseball
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
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."[167]
inside-out swing
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."[168]
inside-the-park home run
A play where a hitter scores a home run without hitting the ball out of play.
insurance run
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.
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
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
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.[169]
interstate
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
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
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",[citation needed] the place prior to being "on deck". "In the hole" is a corruption of the original nautical term (a mondegreen or eggcorn) made popular by people who did not understand the original origin. Today, the corruption has become universal.
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
Pitching in on the hitter's hands.
in play
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.
Infield and outfield practice. "Everyone take your positions for a quick IO"
J
J-run
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
A home run or to hit a home run. "Hitting a jack" or "Jacking one out of here".
jake
Half-hearted or lazy effort by a player, i.e. "He jaked that play."
jam
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
When an outfielder, 'cleaning' a pitcher's mess by throwing a runner out, spins or falls down after a strong throw.
jelly legs
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.[170]
jerk
To "pull" the ball towards left field if you bat right handed or "pull" the ball towards right field if you're batting left handed. Opposite of jerk would be push or hitting an "oppo", meaning going towards the opposite field.
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."[171]
Judy
A Punch and Judy hitter who hits with little power.
juiced
"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."[172]
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?"[173]
jump
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.[174] 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."[175]
To move to another team or league despite existing contractual obligations.[176]
Junior Circuit
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
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."[177] See also: Eephus pitch
junkball pitcher
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."[178] See also: Eephus pitch
K
K
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
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."[179] "After loading the bases with one down in the fourth, the Gators were kept off the board by Barham."[180]
keep the hitter honest
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."[181]
keep the line moving
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."[182] 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.[183][184]
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
A player who makes an error fielding a ground ball may be said to have "kicked the ball" or "kicked it".
kill
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
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
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."[185]
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".[186]
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."[187]
Knock the cover off the ball: to hit a baseball extremely hard. See also tore the cover off the ball.
knuckleball
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
lace
To reach base by hitting a ball between infielders. "McCann laced it through the shift on the right side of the infield."
Lady Godiva
A pitch delivered with nothing on it. A nod to the legend of Lady Godiva riding naked on horseback.[188]
LAIM
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.[189]
large sausage
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.
The seventh, eighth and ninth innings of a regulation nine-inning game.
laugher
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
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..."[190]
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
The angle, with respect to the ground at home plate, at which a batted ball leaves the bat.[191]
launch pad
A term for a ballpark in which many home runs are hit.
Lawrence Welk
A (rare) 1-2-3 double play ("...an a one, an a two, an a...").
lay down
A player who bunts the ball is said to lay down a bunt. Also see dump.
lay off
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."[192]
lead
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
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
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
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
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".[193]
left-handed hitter
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
A left-handed relief pitcher specializing in getting one out, often in critical situations. See also LOOGY.
left on base
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.[194] 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
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."[195]
letter high
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."[196]
lift
To remove a player from the lineup in the middle of a game. "Casey was lifted for a pinch runner."
lights-out
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."[197]
Linda Ronstadt
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.[188]
line drive
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.[198] In a 2021 minor league game, pitcher Tyler Zombro was hit in the head by a 104-mile-per-hour (167 km/h) line drive, fracturing his skull and causing him to have a seizure.[199]
lineup
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 ..."
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.
Little League home run
A fair ball in which the batter is able to circle the bases and score due to the defense committing one or more errors on the play. Such a play is not officially scored as a home run due to the errors, but the effect on the score is the same.
live arm
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
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
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
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.[200]
load the bases
A succession of plays that results in having runners on all three bases. See also bases loaded or bases full.
LOB
Abbreviation for left on base.
locate
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
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."[201]
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."[202] Also see "freeze the hitter".
lollipop
A soft, straight pitch with a lot of arc.
long ball
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 Game1 from the Dodgers".[203]
long ones
Home runs. "He ravaged Pacific Coast League pitching for seven more long ones before being recalled by the Reds later the same month."[204]
long out
A ball that is hit deep into the outfield (and caught) is a "long out".
long reliever
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
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
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
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
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."[205]
Lord Charles
A slang term for a "12-to-6" curveball. Similar to Uncle Charlie.
lose a hitter
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
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.
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
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."[206] "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."[207]
Louisiana ball
A fastball thrown with such high speed that it goes right by you (pun on bayou). A term often used by Phillies radio play-by-play broadcaster Scott Frantzke.
lumber
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
Maddux
Colloquial term for a game in which the pitcher throws a complete gameshutout, on 99 or fewer pitches. Named after Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux, who threw 13 such shutouts in his career.
Magic number
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.[208]
magic words
Specific words directed towards an umpire that are almost certain to cause immediate ejection from the game.
make a statement
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".[209]
make the pitcher work
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."[210]
make-up call
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
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
See field manager. Different from the general manager.
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.[211]
masher
A home run hitter. See crush the ball.
matchsticks
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
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
An easy pitch to hit—down the middle of the plate.[212]
Mendoza line
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.[213]
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.
The fourth, fifth and sixth innings of a regulation nine-inning game.
middle of the inning
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
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
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
Used during the early days of racial integration to refer to any African-American player.
miscue
An error. A word from billiards, when the cue stick slips or just brushes the cue ball thereby leading to a missed shot.[214]
miss some bats
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
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'."[215]
mistake
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
"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
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'."[216]
MLB
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
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".[217]
money player
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
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
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[218]—to hit high home runs.[219][220] The ball had to be hit high in order to clear the 42-foot-high (13 m) 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,[221] and the rest of the media picked it up.[219]
mop up
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."[222] See also: long reliever.
morning journal
A bat made from low-quality wood, its effectiveness similar to hitting the ball with a rolled-up morning newspaper.[223]
motor
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".[224]
"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".[225]
mound
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
Mound visits or mound meetings 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. Each team is limited to one mound visit per inning (excluding visits to attend to an injury); a pitching change must be made on any subsequent visit. In 2016, Major League Baseball limited the amount of time allowed for individual mound visits to 30 seconds. In 2018, MLB limited the number of mound visits per team to six per nine-inning game, with one additional mound visit for each extra inning. This was reduced to five per nine-inning game in 2020.[226]
moundsman
A pitcher.
movement
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
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
To fail to field a ball cleanly, often resulting in an error or only one out on a double play, typically on an easy play. "He muffed it. The ball went right through his legs." Also, to bobble.
murderer's row
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
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.
A close game. Nervous fans may be biting their nails.
nailed
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
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."[228] "This guy has been nails for us," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said.[229] Phillies and Mets center fielder Lenny Dykstra was known as "Nails" for his all-out style of play.
neighborhood play
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
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.[230]
nibble
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."[231]
nickel curve
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.
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.
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.
NOBLETIGER
Acronym for "No outs, bases loaded ending (with) team incapable of getting easy run". This situation occurs when the batting team loads the bases with nobody out but does not score a run in the inning. The unofficial statistic was first tracked on Reddit, where it was named in honor of the Detroit Tigers.[232][233]
no decision
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
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
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.[234]
no man's land
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
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
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".[235]
northpaw
A right-handed pitcher. See southpaw.
NRI
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
A batted ball that travels slowly and not very far, typically because the ball is hit with the very end of the bat.
O
obstruction
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
See on-base percentage.
O-fer
A batter who goes hitless in a game, as in 0for4 (spoken as oh fur). Also wears the collar or "takes the collar."
official game
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+1⁄2 if the home team is winning. An incomplete game can be either suspended or replayed from the first inning.
official scorer
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.[236] 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
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
A pitch that is significantly slower than a given pitcher's fastball. Typically, a curveball or a change-up.
off the hook
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
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
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 5-tool player.[citation needed]
ol' number one
A fastball. From the sign the catcher gives for that pitch.
Olympic rings
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
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."[237]
on-base percentage (OBP)
Percentage of plate appearances where a batter reaches base for any reason other than an error or a fielder's choice.
on deck
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
Running at full speed, especially in reference to an outfielder tracking down a fly ball.
on the black
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
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
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
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
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
A player is said to be "on the rug" while playing a ball in the outfield on artificial turf.
on the throw
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
A player who appears in just one major league game, plays respectably, and then is demoted either to the bench or back to the minors.
one-hitter
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
Side retired in order. Three up, three down.
opener
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.[52]
opening day
The first day of regular-season play in Major League Baseball and other professional leagues.
opposite field hit
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)
A term recently invented by statheads to measure of a batter's ability to produce runs. Obtained by adding slugging percentage and on-base percentage.
ordinary effort
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
The type of pitch that a pitcher relies on to get an out, often his best pitch. Headline: "Rodriguez embraces change as out pitch".[238]
outfielder
An outfielder is a player whose position is either left field, center field, or right field. See position.
outside corner
The location of a strike that travels over the far edge of home plate from the batter.
overpower the hitter
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."[239]
overshift
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
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."[240]
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."[241]
P
paint
To throw pitches at the edges of the strike zone. A pitcher who can "paint" consistently may be said to paint theblack or paint thecorner.
pair of shoes
A batter who strikes out looking. "He was left standing there like nothing but a pair of shoes."
paper doll cutter
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
A fly ball, perhaps driven into a strong wind, that appears to drop straight down into the fielder's glove.
park
To hit (a home run) "out of the park"; reference to the parking lot may be inferred.
park effects
See hitter's park.
passed ball
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
To hit the ball hard. Often used in the past tense: "He pasted the ball."
patient hitter
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
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
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
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
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
A AAA minor league that formerly had "open" classification (between AAA and major league) from 1952 to 1957, now operating as under Triple-A classification in the Western United States
pea
A pitched ball thrown at high speed. "Clem can really fling that pea."[citation needed]
pearl
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
A hard line drive batted back at the pitcher.[citation needed]
PECOTA
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
When the batter tries to see the catcher's signals to the pitcher.
peg
To throw the ball to one of the bases. "The fielder pegged the ball to first."
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
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
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
An inning in which a pitcher allows no runners to reach base.
permanently ineligible
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
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
Someone who is incorrectly listed in source materials as playing in a Major League Baseball game, although they did not actually play.
phantom tag
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
To field a sharply hit ground ball without bobbling it.
pick me up
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
A batter's ability to detect what kind of pitch is being thrown.
picket fence
A series of 1's on the scoreboard, resembling a picket fence.
pickle
A rundown.
pickoff
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.
Acting ostentatiously or showboating to gain the attention or approval of the fans. See grandstand play.
pinch hitter
A substitute batter, brought in during a critical situation ("a pinch").
pinch runner
A substitute baserunner, brought in during a critical situation ("a pinch").
pine tar
Pine tar, which is notoriously sticky, improves a batter's grip on the bat. See Pine Tar Incident.
pink hat
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
A pitcher who is able to throw the ball to a precise spot in the strike zone has "pinpoint control". See control pitcher.
pitch
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
To repeatedly miss the strike zone hoping the batter will "chase one". Also, deliberately walking him.
pitch count
How many times a pitcher has thrown thus far (this game).
pitch to
The opposite of pitching around, i.e. throwing every pitch into the strike zone.
pitch to contact
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.
pitch tracking
The use of technology and analytics to evaluate pitching, including information such as pitch velocity, spin rate, and break (curve).[242]
pitcher
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.
A very low-scoring game in which both starting pitchers allow few batters to reach base.
pitcher's mound
The mound, or colloquially the hill or the bump.
pitcher's park
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
The pitch the pitcher wants hit because he knows it will still most likely result in an out.[243]
pitcher's spot
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
When a pitcher frequently falls behind in the count, he finds himself pitching from behind.
pitchout
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
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.
Abbreviation for Players' League, a one-year (1890) major league.
place hitter
A batter who has skill in controlling where he hits the ball.
plate
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 at3."[244]
plate appearance
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
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
When a batter strikes out five times in one game. Also called Olympic Rings.
platoon
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
Home plate.
play
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
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
A "player to be named later" (PTBNL) is a mystery player in a baseball trade. The teams agree on a future date to decide who the PTBNL will be. This can be a minor leaguer, a cash payment, or even someone already on the trading team's roster.
players' manager
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
The usual position depth taken by infielders when they're not anticipating a bunt or setting up for a double play.
playing in
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
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
Hit by a pitch.
plus
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
A pitch that is better than above average when compared to the rest of the league. Often the strikeout pitch.
plus plus pitch
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
A player with above-average major league skills. A term from baseball scouting and player evaluation. See also 5-tool player.
poke
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."[245]
pop
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".[246]
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".[247]
portsider
A left-handed pitcher, so named because "port" refers to the left side of a ship. Synonym: southpaw
position
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. Positions3 through6 are called infield positions. Positions 7, 8, and9 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 positions2 through9—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
Any defensive player other than the pitcher.
post-season
The playoffs.
pound the batter inside
To pitch the ball over the inside of the plate, in on his hands, typically with a fastball.
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
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 an "all power, low batting average" slugger. See slugger and slugging percentage.
power outage
When a batter with a high slugging average suddenly appears to have lost that ability, he is "having a power outage".
power pitcher
A pitcher who relies heavily on his fastball. Control pitchers and contact pitchers rely more on variety and location than velocity.
power stroke
A hitter with a good power stroke is one who typically gets extra bases.
power surge
When a batter with a low slugging average suddenly appears to have gained that ability, he is "having a power surge".
pow wow
A meeting on the mound between a coach and players to discuss strategy. See tea party.
prep
A prep player is a draft prospect who is still in high school, e.g. "Nationals select prep right-hander Lucas Giolito 16th overall."[248]
pro ball
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
To hit the ball very hard, typically for a home run.
put a hurt
To hit the ball extremely hard.
To beat another team, especially by a decisive score.
put away
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.
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."[250]
quality start
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.[251] 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."[252]
quick pitch
An illegal pitch where the ball is thrown before the batter is set in the batter's box. (Official Rules of Baseball, Rule 8.05(e))[253] 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
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."[254] Headline: "Miscues, Quiet Bats, Cost D-Backs".[255]
quiet swing
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."[256]
R
rabbit ears
Indicates a participant in the game who hears things perhaps too well for their own good. A player who becomes nervous or chokes when opposing players or fans yell at or razz them is said to have rabbit ears. Also, an umpire who picks up on every complaint hurled at them from the dugouts is described this way.
rag arm
A player, typically a pitcher, with a weak arm. "I hope the Cubs did not give up an actual Major League player for this rag-arm home-run machine."
railroad
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.[257]
rain delay
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
A curveball with a high arc in its path to the plate.
rainout
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+1⁄2 innings have been completed are treated as suspended games, and fans are usually given a rain check to attend another game.
rake
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+1⁄3 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."[258]
rally
To come back from a deficit. This typically occurs in the final innings of a game.
rally cap
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
A fielder's ability to move from his position to field a ball in play.
reach or reached
A batter becoming a baserunner by attaining first base without becoming out.
RBI
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).
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
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.[259] 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
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
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
A relief pitcher or reliever is a pitcher brought in the game as a substitute for (i.e., "to relieve") another pitcher.
reliever
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
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.
A roster designation for players who are not available, either because of a player's own action (such as declining to play or getting arrested)[260] or when "unusual circumstances exist."[261] Placing a player on the restricted list allows a team to remove the player from both their roster and their payroll indefinitely, while retaining their rights to the player.[261]
retire the batter
To get the batter out.
retire the runner
To throw the runner out at a base.
retire the side
See side retired.
rhubarb
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
Slang for a run batted in (RBI).
rifle
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
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?"[262]
right-handed hitter
Also "right-hand hitter". A batter who, paradoxically, bats from the left-side of home plate.
ring him up
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
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."
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
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
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
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".[263]
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?"[264]
rocking chair
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
A slightly derogatory acronym for a right-handed relief specialist. "Righty One Out GuY".
rookie
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 45 days on the active rosters of MLB clubs (excluding time on the disabled list or any time after rosters are expanded on September1).
roll a pair
Reference to someone's saying the next play will be a double play. Also, "roll it".
room service
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.[265]
rooster tail
A ball rolling on wet grass, kicking up water behind it.[citation needed]
rope
A hard line drive. Also see frozen rope. Sometimes used as a verb, "He roped one up the middle."
roster
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
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."[266]
roughed up
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."[267]
roundhouse curveball
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.'"[268]
round-tripper
A home run. The analogy is to a commuter who buys a round-trip ticket from home plate to second base and back.
rubber
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
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
Also referred to as a "rubber match", 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.
run
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
See contact play.
run rule
Also known as a mercy rule or run-ahead rule, a run rule is a rule used in some leagues that automatically concludes a game in which one team is ahead by a certain number of runs after a certain number of innings.
rundown
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
Being ejected from the game. Also, slang for having struck out looking.
runners at the corners
runners on 1st and 3rd, with 2nd base open.
runners in scoring position
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
Look up Ruthian in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Having the qualities of Babe Ruth, typically describing the flight of a long home run.
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
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
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
A base hit or "base knock". Getting "safely on (first) base" after hitting the ball without the interposition of a fielding error.
safety squeeze
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.
The South Atlantic League ("SAL"), a Class A minor baseball league with teams located mainly in the southeastern United States.
sandwich round
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
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:
The pitcher is the last pitcher in a game won by his team;
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".);
The pitcher fulfills at least one of the following three conditions:
He comes into the game with a lead of no more than three runs.
He comes into the game with the potential tying run being either on base, at bat, or on deck.
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".[269]
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
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."[270]
scoring position
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
A weakly hit ground ball that eludes the infielders and leads to a base hit. A bleeder.
screaming line drive
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."[271]
screwball
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
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".[272] See also nailed and shuts the door.
seamer
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
The period from the first to the last scheduled game of a year. Typically, the major league baseball season runs from about April1 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".[273]
The post-season, including divisional and league series plus the World Series, is sometimes called the "Second Season."
seasoning
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.
secondary pitch
Any non-fastball pitch type.
seed
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
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
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.[274]
senior circuit
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
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
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
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 seasonseries. 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
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
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
To get runners on base ahead of the power hitters in the lineup.
setup pitcher
A relief pitcher who is consistently used immediately before the closer.
seventh-inning stretch
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
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
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."[275]
shake off
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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".[276]
shorten his swing
See "cut down on his swing".
shorten the game
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."[277] 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
A home run, as in "Ryan Howard's 2-run shot gives him 39 home runs for the year."
the show
The major leagues. Particularly "in the Show". Or in "the Bigs" (big leagues, major leagues).
show bunt
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
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.
Also used to describe a specific pitch in a pitcher's repertoire that is weaker than their other offerings, particularly one that is rarely thrown. "Mahle's slider has always been more show-me pitch than put-away weapon."[278]
shutout
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
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." Also used more generally to refer to a victory: "Thomas, Halladay slam door shut on Dodgers."[279]
side retired
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
A pitcher who throws with a sidearm motion, i.e., not a standard overhanded delivery.
sign
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
A one-base hit.
sinker
A pitch, typically a fastball, that breaks sharply downward as it crosses the plate. Also see drop ball.
sitting on a pitch
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
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
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".[280] 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."[281]
skip
A manager. Taken from the boating term skipper, the captain or commanding officer of a ship.
sky
Used as a verb: to hit a fly ball. "Sizemore skies one. . . .Caught by the right fielder."
skyscraper
A very high fly ball. Sometimes referred to as a "rainmaker" because it is so high it may touch the clouds.
A representation of multiple baseball statistics separated by the slash, for example .330/.420/.505. The typical data represented are batting average (AVG) / on-base percentage (OBP) / slugging percentage (SLG).[282] Also known as a triple slash. Slash is used as a verb meaning to effect a given slash line. Less commonly, a slash line may contain four statistics ("quad slash line"); the first three being as noted and the fourth being on-base plus slugging (OPS).[283]
slice foul
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 (i.e.: it curves to the right for a right-handed batter and to the left for a left-handed batter).
slide
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
A relatively fast pitch with a slight curve in the opposite direction of the throwing arm.
slug
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
An extended period when player or team is not performing well or up to expectations; a dry spell or drought.
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".[284]
smoke
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
A throw made by the catcher to either first or third base after a pitch in an attempt to pick off the runner.
snicker
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
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
An 8-run inning as it appears on the scoreboard, like two large balls of snow stacked on top of one another.
soft hands
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."[285]
soft toss
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
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."[286]
solo home run
A home run hit when there are no runners on base, so the batter circles the bases solo.
sophomore jinx
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
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
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?"[287]
sparkplug
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."[288]
Spider Tack
A sticky paste product designed for strongman competitions that has been illegally used by some pitchers to enhance their grip on the ball. Illegal grip enhancers have been used by spitball pitchers before, but Spider Tack specifically made headlines during the 2021 pitch doctoring controversy.[289]
speed merchant
A fast player, often collecting stolen bases, bunt singles and/or infield hits.
spike
A runner can "spike" an infielder by sliding into him and causing an injury with the spikes of his shoes.
spitter
A spitball pitch in which the ball has been altered by the application of spit, petroleum jelly, or some other foreign substance.
split-finger
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
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.[290]
spoil a pitch
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
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 extra player added to the active roster for a scheduled doubleheader.
spray hitter
A batter who hits line drives to all fields. Not a pull hitter.
spring training
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
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".[291]
square up
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".[292]
squeeze play
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
When an umpire calls balls and strikes as if the strike zone is smaller than usual, he's said to "squeeze the zone".
squibber
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
The pitching staff of a given team.
stand-up double or triple (or standing/standing up)
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. Also referred to simply as "standing" i.e. "the runner from 3rd base scores standing (up)."
stance
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.[293]
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.[294]
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
An inning. "In that stanza, however, the Tigers . . . clawed their way back into the ballgame."[295]
starting pitcher
The "starter" is the first pitcher in the game for each team. (For a less frequently used strategy to start the game, see opener.)
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
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
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
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.[296]
steady diet
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".[297]
steaks
RBIs. Derived from the common pronunciation of RBI as "ribbie", which was apparently once pronounced as Rib-eye.
steal
See stolen base.
stealing signs
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
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
"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
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.
sticky stuff
Layman's term for illegal grip-enhancing substances used by pitchers such as pine tar, petroleum jelly, human saliva, and some resin-based products.
stolen base
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
A batter who reaches first base following an uncaught third strike has (unofficially) "stolen" it.
stone fingers
A fielder who misplays easy ground balls. Also see hard hands and tin glove.
stopper
A team's best starting pitcher, called upon to stop a losing streak[298]
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
A stretch in baseball pitching means starting sideways, raising your arms high, then throwing the ball. Pitchers often do this with runners on base to keep an eye on them.
For other uses of the word "stretch", see stretch a hit, stretch run, down the stretch, and seventh inning stretch.
stretch a hit
To stretch a hit is to take an additional base on a hit, typically by aggressive running.
stretch the lineup
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".[300]
stretch run
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"[301] (The Tigers are seeking additional players as they approach the end of the season).
strike
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 than2 (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
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.
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.[302]
strikeout pitcher
A pitcher who strikes out hitters a lot.
strike 'em out/throw 'em out
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
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
The imaginary prism over home plate used to "call" balls and strikes.
string
A series of consecutive wins. A winning streak.
Any other series of consecutive events, such as strike-outs or scoreless innings.
struck out looking
"Struck out looking" means the batter didn't swing at a pitch the umpire judged a strike, resulting in an out. Some scorecards show it with a backwards "K". 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
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
A batter called out on strikes when the third strike resulted from a bunted ball that came to rest in foul territory.
stuff
A pitcher's "stuff" is how hard their pitches are to hit, combining movement (breaking balls) or speed (fastballs). This is separate from location, another key aspect of pitching.
submarine
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
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 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").[303] Instead such a series is referred to as a freeway series.
Sunday Funday
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
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
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the Midsummer Classic. These annual games, typically played in July, 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
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.)
sweeper
A pitch very similar to a slider, but with more horizontal movement.
sweet spot
The meat of the bat.[304] "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".[305][306] " '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' ".[307]
swing
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.[308]
switch hitter
A switch hitter can hit from either side of the plate, i.e. bats both left-handed and right-handed.
T
tablesetter
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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."[309]
take the crown
To win the championship, i.e. remove the current champions from the throne.
take the field
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
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.[310]
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.[311] 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
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
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.[312][313]
tater
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
To hit the ball very hard, figuratively to put a tattoo from the bat's trademark on the ball.
Conference on the mound, involving more players than just the pitcher and catcher, and sometimes coaches and managers. Also a pow wow.
tee off
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
To tip one's pitches.
terminator
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
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,[314] 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.[315] Pickering would go on to play and manage for 30 years, with major league stops as an outfielder for the Louisville Colonels, Philadelphia A's, Cleveland Blues (now Guardians), St. Louis Browns and Washington Senators.
third of an inning
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+1⁄3 and 5+2⁄3 respectively).
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
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
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
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 being described as a rope or frozen rope.
throw him the chair
Striking out a batter, causing him to sit down in the dugout.[citation needed]
thrower
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
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
Getting a pitch in on the hitter's hands, making it impossible for him to swing.
tilt
A game. A face-off between competitors, as in a joust. Headline: "Myers, Phillies beat Mets in key NL East tilt".[316]
time play
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".[317]
tin glove
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
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
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
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
Went hitless. See collar.
tomahawk
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."[318]
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
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.
Different sources have credited Muddy Ruel and Bill Dickey with coining the phrase.
toolsy
A player with many tools who hasn't matured yet.
TOOTBLAN
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".[319] It was created as part of an effort to determine what impact on-base outs had on a batter's on-base percentage.[320]
top of the inning
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
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
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
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..."[321]
tossed
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
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
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
A pitcher who gives up several hits may be said to have been "touched up".
touchdown
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
Throws right; used in describing a player's statistics, e.g. John Doe (TR, BR, 6', 172 lbs.)
track down
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."[322]
trap
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."[323]
triple
A three-base hit.
triple crown
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
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.
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
When there are two outs in the inning.
two-bagger or two-base hit
A double.
two-seam fastball
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
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
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."
Spectator seating offering a very poor view of the playing field, usually located in a stadium's upper decks. Named for longtime Milwaukee Brewers announcer Bob Uecker, in reference to one of his Miller Lite TV ads from the 1980s in which he is removed from the box seats and, after musing that he "must be in the front row," learns that his tickets actually put him in the back row of the right field upper deck.
ugly finder
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
A weak hitter – banjo hitter, Punch and Judy hitter. "Wolff: Ukulele Hitter Makes Hall of Fame as Broadcaster".[324]
ultimate grand slam
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
"The ump" is in charge of a game, as are members of his crew ("refs" in most other sports).
unassisted play
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
A curveball.
uncontested steal, undefended steal
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.
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
Same as high and tight.
up in the zone
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."[325]
up the middle
(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
A home run that lands in the stadium's upper deck.
A dip of tobacco placed in the upper lip.
uppercut
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."[326]
upstairs
A high pitch, usually above the strike zone.
up the elevator shaft
A high pop-up directly over the batter.
up the middle
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
A player (usually a bench player) who can play several different positions.
V
visit
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
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.[327]
vulture
A reliever who records wins in late innings by being the pitcher of record in the midst of a comeback.[328]
W
waiting for the express and caught the local
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
A home run. Also used as a verb: "Albert Pujols walloped that pitch."
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
The dirt and finely-ground gravel area along the fence, intended to help prevent fielders from running into it.
warning track power
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
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
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.
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
An outstanding defensive play. Refers to the webbing of a glove. Popularized by Baseball Tonight on ESPN.
went deep
Hit a home run. See go deep.
went fishing
When a batter reaches across the plate trying to hit an outside pitch (and misses) he "went fishing" for it.
wheelhouse
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."[329][330]
wheel play
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."[331]
wheels
Legs. A player who runs the bases fast "has wheels".
whiff
A swinging strike (referring to the bat whiffing through the air without contacting the ball).
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".[332]
wild pitch
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.
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
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.
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
The bat. See get good wood.
work the count
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
A hard hit ground ball that "burns" the ground. A daisy cutter.
worm killer
A pitch, usually an off speed or breaking ball, that hits the ground before it reaches home plate.
wrapped around the foul pole
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. This however was not the case before 1931.)
WW
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
yabo
A big home run, usually hit by a hoss player. The term was made colloquially popular in the mid-2010s by electric sports personality, Dan Katz aka "Barstool Bigcat", host of the popular "Pardon My Take" podcast.
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."[333]
yard
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
A sharp-breaking curveball. Named after the yellowhammer, a bird that dives steeply to catch prey.
yips
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
zeroes
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.
Speed. A pitcher with a good fastball is said to have zip on the ball.
zone
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."[334]
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^Before 1980 this person was typically a local sportswriter; beginning in 1980 the League hired "independent contractors" for the job. For an informative article, see David Vincent, "The Official Scorer", The Baseball Analysts Archived 2006-10-31 at the Wayback Machine, Aug. 18, 2005. On more recent changes see also David Laurila, "Scoring the Hits and Errors – Official Scorers in the Post-Season", BaseballProspectus.com Archived 2007-10-11 at the Wayback Machine, October 10, 2007.
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^Also see Brad Christopherson and Sam Preston, "Exploration into the Mechanics of a Baseball bat".
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^"The Baseball Rap". Tcoletribalrugs.com. November 17, 2005. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
^"Instant Replay: The End of Major League Baseball as We Know It", in Paul Soglin: Waxing America.com, June 14, 2008. [Retrieved July 19, 2010].
^Richard Sandomir, "Wolff: Ukulele Hitter Makes Hall of Fame as Broadcaster", The New York Times, July 31, 1995.
^William Cohen, "Shelby Miller hard to hit up in the zone", ESPN, June 17, 2013.
^BatSpeed.com_Baseball and Softball Swing Hitting Mechanics
^For accessible summaries, see Rob Neyer, "The World According to VORP", ESPN.com (February 2, 2007) and Derek Jacques, "Prospectus Toolbox: Value Over Replacement Player", BaseballProspectus.com (May 15, 2007).
^"Dunn's 10 wins an unexpected boost for Marlins". ESPN. Associated Press. August 15, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2014. Mike Dunn's formula is simple. Come in, pitch well, and hope the Miami Marlins offense finds a way to win games late. It's working. Miami's leader in wins this season isn't one of their highly touted young starters, but rather a left-handed reliever who has never made a Major League start in his six-year career. Dunn picked up his 10th win of the season Thursday night, throwing two perfect innings as Miami rallied to top Arizona 5-4 to enhance its chances in the National League wild-card chase. His bullpen cohorts say he "vultures" wins. Nobody is complaining.
^Dickson, Paul (1873). The new Dickson Baseball Dictionary. New York: D. Appleton and Company. p. 533. Cited first 1959 by Bill Rigney; Etymology attributed to Peter Tamony who suggested that batters "wheel" at the ball ("take good, level 'roundhouse' swings")
^Rigney, Bill – Orlando Cepeda's slump. San Francisco Chronicle, May 11, 1959
^Jay Jaffe, "World Series Prospectus – Game Six: The Crazy Train Keeps Rolling", BaseballProspectus.com, October 28, 2011.
^Jenkins, Lee (July 23, 2005). "BASEBALL; Zambrano Is Too Wild in Strike Zone". The New York Times. Retrieved May 8, 2010.
^JS Online: Some late-night delivery
^John Brebbia – in "Brebbia Shining On The Mound", OrleansFirebirds.wordpress.com, July 13, 2011.
Sources
Paul Dickson, The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, 3rd edition. New York: W.W. Norton & Co, 2009. ISBN 9780393066814
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