Baseball Terminology - Part 2 - Shop HB Sports

Baseball Terminology - Part 2

  • K - a strike out.
  • Knuckleball / Knuckler - a pitch thrown with no spin. This pitch is usually very slow and can be difficult to hit.
  • Lead Off Batter – the first batter up in an inning
  • Left On Base - a runner who is left on base after 
  • Line Drive - a hit that goes straight off the bat into the outfield
  • Lineup – the order of batters
  • Major Leagues- the professional teams that play in the MLB 
  • Minor Leagues -  the teams that play in the leagues below the MLB. These are often known as farm teams and are lower ranked.
  • No Hitter - a game where the pitcher does not allow the opposing team a hit – They still may walk someone and have a no hitter. 
  • On Base Percentage -  a hitter's walks and hits divided by the number of times they are at bat
  • On Deck - the hitter who follows the batter who is currently playing
  • Out - when a player on offense is removed from play. This can be due to being tagged, forced, struck, or thrown out while on the diamond.
  • Outfielder - a fielder whose position on defense is in the outfield. Left, Right, and Center. 
  • Outside - a pitch thrown outside of the strike zone on the opposite side of the batter.
  • Passed Ball - a pitch that goes past the catcher
  • Perfect Game - a game where the pitcher does not allow a single hit or single runner on base the whole game. Slightly better than a no hitter.
  • Pick Off - when a pitcher or catcher catches a runner off of a base before they are able to steal or return to the bag they came from
  • Pinch Hitter - a hitter who takes the place of another batter. 
  • Pinch Runner - a runner who takes the place of a baserunner after they have successfully hit
  • Pitch - the throw made by a pitcher toward Homeplate
  • Pitcher's Mound - the mound in the center of the infield where a pitcher stands
  • Plate - the base between the batter’s box
  • Play Ball – the umpire will call this to begin a game
  • Pop Fly - a fly ball
  • RBI (Runs Batted In) - when a batter makes contact with the ball allowing a teammate to score a run. The batter is credited with an RBI for every player who is able to score off of their hit.
  • Reliever – a pitcher that enters the game after it has begun. They provide a break to struggling/ tired pichers.
  • Rightfield - outfield behind the first base side
  • Rookie - a player who is in their first season
  • Rubber – found on top of the pitcher’s mound. The pitcher must be touching it throughout every pitch. 
  • Sacrifice - when a hitter bunts in order to advance a teammate to the next base knowing they will likely be thrown out
  • Safe - when a runner reaches base without being out from a tag
  • Scoring Position - when a base runner is on second or third base
  • Screwball - like a curveball, except the pitch moves in the opposite direction
  • Seventh Inning Stretch - between the top and bottom halves of the seventh inning. Ballparks invite fans to stand up and stretch their legs as “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” is played. 
  • Shutout - when a team does not allow the opposing team to score
  • Single - a hit which allows the hitter to reach first base safely
  • Slide – a baserunner does this as they approach a bag. Often done to avoid a tag. 
  • Slider - a pitch that drops away from the hitter suddenly upon approach
  • Slump - when a batter or team struggles for multiple games in a row
  • Softballs - a softball is similar in shape and utility to a baseball, but is usually 2 to 3 inches larger than a baseball in circumference. Softballs are primarily pitched underhand whereas baseballs are pitched overhand.
  • Solo - a homerun with no players on base
  • Steal - when a runner attempts to move from one base to the next without being tagged out. This occurs between pitches. 
  • Strike - a pitch the umpire decides is in the strike zone. The batter must swing at this pitch or it will be called a strike. 3 Strikes = 1 Out
  • Strike Zone - the area an umpire uses to call balls and strikes. It sits over Homeplate and resides between the batter’s waist and shoulders.
  • Strike Out – when 3 strikes have been called
  • Swinging Strike - a strike where the hitter swings and misses on the 3rd strike
  • Tag – when a baserunner is touched with the ball or glove of a defensive player while off of a base
  • Tagging Up – players must remain on a bag while the ball is in the air. Once the ball is caught the can attempt to advance to the next base.
  • Top Half of the Inning - the second half of an inning where the home team hits
  • Triple - a hit where the batter reaches third base safely
  • Turf Shoes - also called turf cleats, are shoes used in baseball and softball that use rubber nubs and treads similar to sneakers but designed for better traction on turf.
  • Walk - when a hitter goes to first base after 4 balls have been called by the umpire
  • Walk Off - when the home team scores the winning run in the last inning. There is no chance for the opposing team to continue play. 
  • Warning Track - the track in front of the outfield wall that tells players they are close to the fence
  • Wind Up - the motion a pitcher takes when throwing a pitch

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