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The Sport of Baseball: Useful Terms to Know

The Sport of Baseball: Useful Terms to Know

Written by: Peter Morrell

Baseball dates back to the 19th century and has become one of the most iconic and beloved games in American culture. It thrives on rich traditions, passionate fans, and unforgettable moments. A grand slam in the bottom of the ninth can light up an entire stadium, while a quiet game of catch can create memories that last a lifetime. The sport inspires such deep loyalty that many fans turn their love of the game into a lifelong hobby, collecting things like jerseys, signed balls, baseball cards, and enamel pins that celebrate their favorite teams, players, and milestones.

Baseball is a game that's played between two teams of nine players. One team plays offense, trying to score runs by hitting the ball and rounding four bases, while the other plays defense, working to record three outs and end the inning. The game unfolds on a field shaped like a diamond, with players positioned across both the infield and outfield.

To fully enjoy and understand the game, it helps to know the terms that define its plays, strategies, and stats.

Glossary of Terms

Balk: An illegal movement by the pitcher meant to deceive base runners. This results in runners being allowed to advance one base.

Battery: The pitcher and catcher working together as a team

Batting Average: A statistic that shows how often a player gets a hit. It's calculated by dividing a player's hits by their total at-bats.

Bunt: A technique where the batter taps the ball with the bat so that it moves slowly along the ground, rather than swinging at it

Bullpen: The area where relief pitchers warm up

Changeup: A slow pitch designed to look like a fastball, used to fool the batter

Cleanup: The fourth spot in the batting order, usually occupied by a strong power hitter

Count: The number of balls and strikes a batter has during their turn at bat

Designated Hitter: A player in the batting lineup who hits in place of the pitcher

Double Play: A defensive play that records two outs in one play

Error: A mistake by a fielder that allows a runner to get to the next base when they normally would have been out

Fly Ball: A ball hit high into the air. If it's caught before it touches the ground, the batter is out.

Foul Ball: A hit that lands outside the lines of fair territory

Full Count: A pitch count with three balls and two strikes. The next pitch typically determines the outcome of the at-bat.

Grand Slam: A home run hit when the bases are loaded, scoring four runs

Ground Ball (Grounder): A ball hit along the ground or that bounces before reaching a fielder

Hit and Run: A coordinated play where a base-runner takes off as the pitch is thrown and the batter is expected to hit the ball to protect the runner

Hit for the Cycle: When a player hits a single, double, triple, and home run in the same game

Home Plate: The final base a player must touch to score a run. It's also where the batter stands.

Inning: A unit of the game. There are nine innings in a baseball game, and each inning has two halves, which lets both teams get a chance to bat and play defense.

Lead Runner: The runner who is farthest along the base path when there are multiple runners on base

Load the Bases: When there are runners on first, second, and third base at the same time

On Deck: The next batter in the lineup, preparing to bat

Pinch Hitter: A substitute batter brought in to hit in place of another player

Pinch Runner: A substitute runner brought in to replace another base runner

Pitch Around: A tactic where the pitcher avoids throwing good pitches to a really good batter, often resulting in a walk

Position Player: Any player who is not a pitcher

Power Hitter: A batter known for hitting the ball with strength, often for home runs or extra-base hits

Relay: A play where one fielder throws the ball to a teammate, who quickly passes it to another player, usually to make a long-distance throw more accurate or to try and stop a runner from advancing

Reliever (Relief Pitcher): A pitcher who comes in to replace the starter, usually later in the game or during critical moments

RBI (Run Batted In): A stat that counts how many runners a batter has driven in to score, either through a hit, walk, or other play

Runners at the Corners: When base runners occupy first and third base

Scoring Position: When a runner is on second or third base, making it easier to score on a single

Strikeout: When a batter gets three strikes during their at-bat, resulting in an out

Strike Zone: The area over home plate where pitches must pass to be called a strike. It's roughly from the batter's knees to their chest.

Tag Up: When a base runner stays on their base until a fly ball is caught

Walk: When a batter receives four pitches outside of the strike zone and is allowed to walk to first base

Additional Baseball Resources

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