Baseball - Terms

Given below is a pst of some frequently used terms in baseball −

Around the Horn − The runner who runs from the third base, to the second and then to the first is said to have run ‘Around the Horn’.

Backdoor Spder − If a pitch that seems to be a ‘ball’ lands on the plate, it is called a backdoor spder.

Balk − The pitcher may trick runners as if he is pitching to make them advance to the next base. This is illegal in a game.

Baltimore Chop − A popular hit named after the Baltimore Orioles, where the batsman strikes in such a way that the ball bounces high off from the home plate and the batsman gets a chance to make a single.

Base Hit − The batsman strikes in such a way that the ball reaches at least the first base without any error.

Box Score − Runs scored and other information of innings is presented by checking a series of relevant boxes. The score board is called the Box Score.

Brush-back − Sometimes the ball that is pitched comes close to the batsman, but the batsman narrowly escapes getting hurt. Such a pitched ball is called a brush-back.

Circus Catch − The outfielder might spane, jump or skid to catch a ball, such a tough catch is called a Circus Catch.

Bunt − If the ball hits the bat in the infield though it is not pitched at it, it is called a Bunt.

Called Game − If the umpire temporarily stops the game for some reason, then the game is said to have been ‘Called’.

Change Up − Sometimes the batsman might be tricked to bepeve a slow ball to be a fast one. Then the ball is said to have ‘Changed Up’.

Force Play − The batsman starts running, so the next baseman is forced to advance. Forcing a runner to advance is called ‘Force Play’.

Texas Leaguer − The ball that lands on the ground between an infielder and an outfielder is called a Texas Leaguer.

Chin Music − The ball that comes close to the batsman’s face and sometimes might hurt his face is called Chin Music.

Cycle or Natural Cycle − If a batsman scores a single, double, triple, and a home run in the same game, he/she is said to have finished a Cycle.

Donut − A donut shaped weight is attached to the bat to practice during warm up.

Ground Rule Double − If the ball that was hit bounces and fpes beyond the wall or fence, runners on bases can advance by two bases.

Designated Hitter − A Non-field player is called a designated hitter if he has to bat from the pitcher s position.

Double Header − A team is said to be a Double Header if it plays two games continuously.

Fielder s Choice − When a fielder, for some reason, chooses to throw the ball to a base the batter is not running towards, it is called the Fielder’s Choice.

Fireman − The repef pitcher that closes out the game.

Infield Fly − A batsman hits the ball in such a way that it fpes in the infield and can be easily caught by an infielder.

Intentional Walk − A batsman might be forced to advance to the first base; intentionally, by pitching four times.

Line Drive − It is a kind of hit that drives the ball straight to a fielder.

Left On Base − If the bases are loaded despite three outs, the runners are said to be ‘Left on Base’.

Mendoza Line − Named after the legendary shortstop Mario Mendoza, it indicates a batting average of over 200.

Passed Ball − The ball sometimes escapes from the catcher and gives runners a chance to advance to next base.

Perfect Game − The game is considered perfect if the pitcher could prevent every batsman from advancing to first base.

Pick Off − To tag a base runner and prevent him from scoring a run, the pitcher throws the ball to a fielder. The throw is called a ‘Pick Off’.

Pull Hitter − A Hitter is called a pull hitter if he drives the ball towards the batting side of the field.

Sacrifice Bunt − The ball is carefully tapped to put out a batsman by forcing a base runner to advance.

Sacrifice Fly − The runner scores a point but the fly ball lands in a catch.

Save − A repef pitcher is credited with a ‘Save’ if three or more innings are pitched without a tie game or if the team leads even when the opponent is tying or winning runs on base.

Wheelhouse − The power zone or sweet sport of a hitter.

Can of Corn − The ball sometimes is shot in such a way that the outfielder can catch it easily without moving from his position. Such an easy fly-ball catch is called a Can of Corn.

Run Batter In (RBI) − A player earns credits for helping his teammates in scoring points while up to bat. Such a record is called RBI.

Grounder or Ground ball − A batsman hits a Ground ball when it bounces off the ground or rolls in the infield.