Baseball
Game Guide

Baseball Players Terms C

Called Game

a game suspended, normally due to weather by the umpire or as dictated by the leagues rules.

Can of Corn

catch made by a fielder that is deemed extremely easy. If only the rest of the game was so, yes?

Change Up

a slow pitch thrown with the same motion as a fast pitch, but with less velocity intended to fool a batter and throw off their timing.

Chase After

baseball player attempting to hit a pitch way outside of the strike zone.

Check Swing

when a batter stops in mid swing, without following through, in an attempt to avoid swinging at a bad pitch.

Chin Music

pitch thrown high and close to the batter, whizzing by under their chin.

Circus Catch

a physically impressive and often acrobatic catch by a fielder.

Clean up Hitter

a hitter batting fourth in the batting order, usually the best hitter on the team and/or baseball player known as a power hitter.

Closer

a relief pitcher that is brought in to work the final portion of the game, usually when the game is on the line.

Complete Game

achieved when a pitcher pitches all nine innings of a game.

Count

term for the number of balls and strikes currently called during each at bat.

Curve

a pitch that moves across the plate upon reaching the batter.

Cut Off

term for baseball players who shorten the throw or cut off the ball thrown from the outfield.

Cutter

term for a breaking fastball.

Cycle

obtained when a batter achieves a single, double, triple and home run in a single game. The triple is the difficult part; therefore, this accomplishment is rare and should be applauded loudly!

Baseball Players Terms D

Dinger

another name for a home run. Congrats to the dingee or is it dingert?

Double

a hit that allows a batter to reach second base.

Double Play

the act of getting two runners out during one hit.

Doubleheader

two baseball games, played back to back.

Down the Line

area close to foul lines used to describe the location of batted balls.

Down the Middle

area of home plate used to describe the location of pitches.

Drop off the Table

term for a pitched ball that breaks sharply.

Dugouts

the 2 separate field areas where each team is located during the game.

Baseball Players Terms E

Earned Run

a run allowed by a pitcher.

Error

a play that should have been made, but due to a mistake, was not. Error is counted in the stats against the player who committed it.

Baseball Players Terms F

Fast Ball

a pitch thrown as hard as possible, typically straight with no movement.

Fly Ball

a ball hit high in the air in a large arc.

Force Out

the act of touching a base in which an opposing runner is forced to run towards because another teammate has hit and is running behind him/her. Example

if a runner is forced to run to second and the fielder touches second base before the runner arrives, that runner is out.

Foul Line

line stretching from home plate into the outfield, marking the boundaries of legal play in or out of bounds.

Fouling Off

when player continues to bat after a count of 2 strikes.

Full Count

consists of 3 balls and 2 strikes wherein the next pitch will produce a walk or hit ball. Don't you just hate the suspense?

Baseball Players Terms G

Gap

section of the field between outfielders.

Grand Slam

home run hit when runners are on each base resulting in a total of 4 runs on the scoreboard.

Green Light

signal given by the coach for the batter to hit the next good pitch or for the runner to steal a base at the next opportunity.

Grounder or Ground Ball

a ball hit rolling on the ground.

Baseball Players Terms H

Heat or Heater

jargon for a maximum velocity fastball. It's a zinger!

High and Tight

pitched above the strike zone.

Hit

a play in which the batter makes contact with the ball and is able to reach base without being forced out or tagged.

Hit and Run

occurs when a runner starts to advance to the base as soon as the ball is pitched to the batter in an attempt to reach and advance the runner.

Hitting the Cycle

player who hits in any order--a single, double, triple and home run during the same game. Every batter's dream game!

Home Plate

the fourth base or point the runner attempts to reach. Once crossed safely, a run is tallied for the team. Cheers ring out on this trip--homeward bound.

Hot Corner

baseball jargon for third base.

Baseball Players Terms I - L

Infield

area in which the bases are located, approximately ninety feet square.

Infielder

term for player position inside the infield. First, second, third basemen and shortstop.

Intentional Walk

action of throwing four unhittable balls by the pitcher in order to walk a talented batter.

Knuckle Ball

pitch thrown by gripping the seams of the baseball with the first finger and knuckle. This gives the ball a slow erratic motion when thrown.

Lead Off

player who bats first in the lineup for the team or a base runner who moves forward from the base before a pitch is thrown. Perhaps a steal is about to happen?

Line Drive

a hit that is hard and on a straight line at a low trajectory.

Load the Bases

term for 3 players of one team who are on first, second, and third bases.

Baseball Game Terms M - N

Mendoza Line

a .200 batting average named after player Mario Mendoza. Example using this phrase is "caution--don't go below the Mendoza line."

Mound

the area where the pitcher stands and/or where the pitchers mound is located.

No Hitter

game in which one pitcher allows no hits to the opposing team.

Baseball Game Terms O - P

On Deck

baseball jargon referring to the next person up to bat.

Outfield

the area between the fence and the infield and between the two foul lines.

Outfielder

player position in the outfield. Center, right and left fielder.

Outside Corner

pitched to the edge of home plate, thus away from the batter

Passed Ball

term for a ball pitched and missed by the catcher. The chase is on!

Payoff Pitch

baseball jargon for the following pitch after a full count is established. This pitch will benefit either the batter or pitcher at this point.

Perfect Game

an entire game pitched where no hits or walks are obtained by the opposing team. A beautiful sight to see!

Pinch Hitter

player placed into a batting lineup to hit in place of a teammate already playing.

Pinch Runner

a player placed into the game to replace a teammate already on base.

Pitchout

the act of throwing an intentional ball to catch a runner stealing.

Pitching Rotation

the rotation of pitchers on a team, usually 3-5 pitchers based on the number of games played and the number of days rest needed for each pitcher.

Position Player

team player, other than the pitcher.

Power Hitter or Slugger

superior player who racks up plenty of home runs and base hits.

Baseball Game Terms R

Relief Pitchers

baseball game terms for substitute pitchers replacing the current pitchers.

Rundown

baseball jargon for when a runner is pinned between 2 bases and attempts to reach the safety of a base before either opposing player tags the runner out.

Baseball Game Terms S

Sacrifice Fly or Bunt

a hit with the purpose of advancing a runner but not necessarily to reach base.

Safe

term for call by the umpire when a play is made, indicating the runner is not out.

Scoring Position

term for a runner who is on second or third base as this position holds the opportunity to score.

Setup Man

term for a relief pitcher placed in the game before the closer.

Seventh-inning Stretch

a break for fans that takes place between the top and bottom of the seventh inning.

Shoestring Catch

term for fielder who scoops the ball and runs with it.

Shut Out

occurs when a team scores no runs.

Slice Foul

baseball jargon for fly ball or line drive that spins out of fair ball area into foul ball area.

Slide

player who moves down to ground level to prevent a tag by the catcher.

Squeeze Play or Suicide Squeeze

bunting strategy to get a runner home from third base.

Starter

the pitcher who starts the game.

Steal

the act of advancing bases during a pitch to the plate. A smooth move!

Strike

called if a batter swings the bat and misses a pitch OR if the batter chooses not to swing and the umpire calls it within the zone between the batters armpits and knees.

Submariner

baseball jargon for pitcher who throws underarm.

Baseball Game Terms T

Tag

the act of a player fielding the ball and then touching a runner out before the runner touches or reaches the base.

Take Sign

occurs when batter is signaled not to swing at the next pitch.

Top of the inning

term for first part of the inning at which time the visiting team bats.

Triple

a hit that allows a batter to safely reach third base.

Triple Play

three outs as the result of the ball fielded skillfully in one play—a magnificent and rare game event!

Baseball Game Terms U - Z

Up the Middle

area close to second base used to describe the location of batted balls.

Utility Player

a player who has the ability to play many positions on the field. Example

shortstop and second base.

Walk

term for player who takes a base when he/she has been pitched 4 balls as determined by the umpire.

Walk-off Home Run

jargon for a home run hit that determines the end of a game.

Warning Track

dirt path close to outfield fence in order that players avoid running into the fence.

Wheelhouse

a power hitter's favorite spot to hit the ball where the greatest results are achieved.

Whiff

the sound made by the bat being swung and not making contact with anything. Another term for a strike.

Wild Pitch

a pitch thrown in the dirt resulting in a passed ball.

Yips

bad case of nerves resulting in shakes that make it very difficult for a gamer to play well. This phrase can be used in reference to many games and is recognized by both players and fans alike.