Baseball Lingo

[NetShrine]

Stole this off the MLB.com site. Any that you would add to it?

Baseball Lingo

A fan's guide to commonly-used terms and phrases.

ace -- A team's best starting pitcher.
alley-- The section of the outfield between the outfielders. Also "gap."
around the horn -- A double play going from third base to second to first.
backdoor slider -- A pitch that appears to be out of the strike zone, but then breaks back over the plate.
bag -- A base.
Baltimore chop -- A ground ball that hits in front of home plate (or off of it) and takes a large hop over the infielder's head.
bandbox -- A small ballpark that favors hitters.
bang-bang play -- A play in which the baserunner hits the bag a split-second before the ball arrives or vice versa.
basket catch -- When a fielder catches a ball with his glove near belt level.
Bronx cheer -- When the crowd boos.
brushback -- A pitch that nearly hits a batter.
bush -- Also "bush league." An amateur play or behavior.
can of corn -- An easy catch by a fielder.
caught looking -- When a batter is called out on strikes.
cellar -- Last place. Also "basement."
cheese -- Also "good cheese." Refers to a good fastball.
chin music -- A pitch that is high and inside.
circus catch -- An outstanding catch by a fielder.
closer -- A team's relief pitcher who finishes the game.
cutter -- A cut fastball (one with a late break to it).
cycle -- When a batter hits a single, double, triple and home run in the same game.
dinger -- A home run.
dish -- Home plate.
fireman -- A team's closer or late-inning relief pitcher.
fungo -- A ball hit to a fielder during practice. It's usually hit by a coach using a "fungo bat," which is longer and thinner than a normal bat.
gap -- See "alley." A ball hit here is a "gapper."
gopher ball -- A pitch hit for a home run, as in "go for."
heat -- A good fastball. Also "heater."
high and tight -- Referring to a pitch that's up in the strike zone and inside on a hitter. Also known as "up and in."
hill -- Pitcher's mound.
homer -- A home run. Other terms include: blast, dinger, dong, four-bagger, four-base knock, moon shot, tape-measure blast and tater.
hot corner -- Third base.
in the hole -- The batter after the on-deck hitter.
jam -- When a hitter gets a pitch near his hands, he is "jammed." Also when a pitcher gets himself in trouble, he is in a "jam."
leather -- Refers to how good a player plays defensively or handles the glove. Ex: "He flashed some leather on that play."
meatball -- An easy pitch to hit, usually right down the middle of the plate.
Mendoza line -- A batting average of around .200.
moon shot -- A very long, high home run.
nail down -- As in "nail down a victory." Refers to a relief pitcher finishing off the game.
on the screws -- When a batter hits the ball hard. Also "on the button."
painting the black -- When a pitcher throws the ball over the edge of the plate.
pea -- A ball traveling at high speed, either batted or thrown.
pepper -- Pepper is a common pre-game exercise where one player bunts brisk grounders and line drives to a group of fielders who are standing about 20 feet away. The fielders try to throw it back as quickly as possible. The batter hits the return throw. (Some ballparks ban pepper games because wild pitches could land in the stands and injure spectators).
pick -- A good defensive play by an infielder on a ground ball. Also a shortened version of "pick-off."
pickle -- A rundown.
punchout -- A strikeout.
rhubarb -- A fight or scuffle.
ribbie -- Another way of saying RBI. Also "ribeye."
rope -- A hard line drive hit by a batter. Also "frozen rope."
rubber game -- The deciding game of a series.
run-down -- When a baserunner gets caught between bases by the fielders.
Ruthian -- With great power.
seeing-eye single -- A soft ground ball that finds its way between infielders for a base hit.
set-up man -- A relief pitcher who usually enters the game in the 7th or 8th inning.
shoestring catch -- A running catch made just above the fielder's shoetops.
southpaw -- A left-handed pitcher.
sweet spot -- The part of the bat just a few inches from the barrel.
table setter -- Batter whose job is to get on base for other hitters to drive him in. Usually a leadoff or No. 2 hitter.
tape-measure blast -- An extremely long home run.
tater -- A home run.
Texas Leaguer -- A bloop hit that drops between an infielder and outfielder.
tools of ignorance -- Catcher's equipment.
touch 'em all -- Hitting a home run (touching all the bases).
twin killing -- A double play.
Uncle Charlie -- Curve ball.
utility player -- A player who fills in at many positions.
wheelhouse -- A hitter's power zone. Usually a pitch waist-high and over the heart of the plate.
wheels -- A ballplayer's legs.
whiff -- Strikeout.
yakker -- Curve ball.

Prepared by the Publishing Department of Major League Baseball Properties.

[Yogi#8Fan]

Here’s what I can add, some are different definitions of what were already on Net’s list.

I’ve recently alpha sorted the various definitions I’d had strewn about. Please look for this post as new definitions are added, since I intend to continue editing this post without notice, rather than adding new posts to the thread.

“1-2-3”:
top or bottom half of an inning in which three batters make an out in successive order.

“12 to 6”:
A curveball which drops from very high to very low (from 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock position). Same as the bottom falling out.

“AAA or AA”:
a very underperforming MLB team like Tampa Bay or Expos.

“advance(ing) the runner(s)”:
when a hitter tries to get his team's baserunner(s) to a higher base(s), such as with a base hit or with a sacrifice play (see definition below).

“Basement Bertha”:
a last place team, named after the character of the same name, as seen in the NY Daily News.

“beanball”:
headhunt, or a pitch thrown at the head of the hitter.

“blooper or cheap shot”:
a ball not hit properly which barely drops past the IF for a basehit .

“bottom fell/dropped out”:
a description of a pitch which sinks rapidly right before it approaches the batter (“the bottom fell out of that one pretty quickly”).

“Bronx cheer”:
noise made when stuck out tongue flaps between lips (different definition from Net’s list)

“brushback”:
when a pitcher throws inside to prevent the batter from staying too far inside the home plate area (slight variation of same from Net’s definition).

“cleanup”:
the 4th hitter in a lineup, usually a power hitter, since he drives in runners from the top of the lineup.

“crowd(ing) the plate”:
when a hitter stands very close over home plate.

“deal”:
(as said by NYY announcer, John Sterling) -- when a pitcher pitches (“And he deals...”).

“dirtball”:
pitched ball which touches the ground before making contact with catcher’s glove

“give/gave it a ride”:
a ball hit to the warning track, generally in a non-sacrifice situation.

“go(ing) yard”:
home run.

“good morning, good afternoon, good night”:
a 1-2-3 inning.

“grand slam” or “slam”:
a bases-loaded 4-run homerun.

“homer”:
someone who spends more time observing and criticizing another’s team than their own, ignoring their own team’s failures (different definition from Net’s list) .

“jack”:
home run.

“K”:
strikeout.

“laser”:
a line drive hit at a rapid rate of projection.

“leadoff” or “leadoff hitter”:
the first hitter in the lineup, usually someone with a good OBP and who can steal bases well.

“line drive”:
a hard hit ball which is hit at a very straight angle with little or no arch in its carry.

“lock”:
a game that’s believed beforehand to be a no contest.

“longball”:
home run.

“Lord Charles”:
an outstanding, sharp-breaking, just-plain-nasty, and basically unhittable curve ball (per this site (http://www.babsonbaseball.com/little.htm#p5)).

“lumber”:
a baseball bat or a power hitter.

“Main Street”:
zone for a pitched ball which should be easy to hit hard (as in a fat one down Main St.[/i]” or the same as “meatball[/i]” in Net’s list).

“movement”:
any deviation of a pitch other than its presumed direction, such as one which tails up, down, left or right before it reaches the batter, so as to fool him to swing at that pitch.

“oh for”:
slang, meaning a hitter hasn’t gotten a hit in a game or a series of games (0 for __ at bats).

“painting the corners”:
pitching on the edges of the plate.

“perfect game” or “perfecto”:
a 9-inning ball game in which one pitcher faces 27 batters, none of whom make it to 1B. Instances such as HBP, BB, IBB, balk would all disqualify this from being a perfect game.

“pull”:
when a manager takes the ball, bringing in a(nother) reliever.

“push”:
a game that could go either way.

“rainbow”:
a hit ball, usually a home run, which has a high arch in its path.

“RISP”:
runner(s) in scoring position, or at least one runner on 2B and/or 3B.

“roundtripper”:
a homerun.

“sacrifice”:
usually a fly ball (sac fly) or bunt (sac bunt), done for the express purpose of advancing a runner(s) already on base, but also resulting in the hitter either having their ball caught on a fly (sac fly) or being thrown out at 1B (sac bunt).

If a sac fly, the baserunner(s) must be tagged up on the base that’s legally theirs before advancing to steal the next base (including home base for a 3B runner), or he may not legally attempt to claim the next base.

“snow cone”:
a caught ball which has part of the ball sticking out of the glove so as to resemble an ice cream cone.

“spitball”:
from the ‘80s, an illegally altered baseball, usually a razor, hair grease, sweat.

“table setter”:
leadoff hitter, or the first hitter in the lineup.

“top of the lineup”:
the #1, #2 and #3 hitters.

“Uncle Charlie”:
curveball.

“walk-off (walkoff) home run”:
a game-winning HR, meaning it was done in the bottom of the 9th or later innings. Dennis Eckersley (http://www.baseballreference.com/e/eckerde01.shtml) has been credited with inventing the term. After he gave up the HR to Kirk Gibson at the end of Game 1 of the 1988 World Series, in the postgame interview, he spoke about the pain of having to walk off the field after giving up the HR.

[BuzzBuzzard]

Originally posted by Yogi#8Fan
spitball -- from the '80s, an illegally altered baseball, usually a razor, hair grease, sweat
I have never heard of a spitball being anything other than that. I didn't think an altered (razor, sandpaper) qualified.

[NetShrine]

Good additions Yog.

I agree with Buz on the spitball thing.

I would sub "Doctored Ball" meaning that anything could have been done to it.

[Yogi#8Fan]

I've never heard of a dirtball being anything that didn't hit the ground either. I wasn't saying it had another non-baseball meaning, just saying it was a baseball term. I also included Bronx Cheer since baseball fans will do what they wish to do. ;)

Who was that pitcher or pitchers in the mid 80s who was famous for doctoring the balls? I remember the cameras would catch him using hair grease or vaseline to make the ball behave erratically. That time was very crazy since you'd have people bringing tiny bits of sandpaper to scuff up the baseballs.

[Yogi#8Fan]

From Dickson's Baseball Dictionary (http://baseballtips.com/baseball/baseball_slang.htm), I got the following additions (duplicates of both term and definitions have been deleted):

At 'em ball -- A ball hit right at a defensive player.
Bases drunk -- Bases loaded.
Bazooka -- Strong throwing arm. "He's got a bazooka.''
Big show -- The major leagues.
Bush league -- Lesser minor-league teams in small cities or towns.
Catch napping -- To surprise a less than alert runner with the result that he is picked off or suddenly caught between bases.
Circus catch -- A spectacular catch, suggesting the moves of a circus acrobat. (this elaborated slightly more on Net's list)
Crackerjack -- Term used to describe a first-rate or spectacular player or team.
Curtain call -- The practice of a player coming out of the dugout to acknowledge the call of the fans, usually after a home run.
Deuce -- The curveball, usually signaled from a catcher to a pitcher by holding down two fingers.
Dying quail -- A batted ball that drops suddenly and unexpectedly, like a bird that has been shot on the wing.
Fence buster -- A heavy hitter.
Free pass -- Base on balls.
Friendly confines -- Descriptive of many home ballparks, but most often used to describe Wrigley Field.
Glass arm -- A sore throwing or pitching arm.
Goose egg -- A zero on the scoreboard.
Gopher ball -- A pitch destined to be hit for a home run; one that will "go for'' a run.
Guess hitter -- Batter who tries to anticipate or out-guess the pitcher based on the situation at hand.
"Hit 'em where they ain't'' -- Rallying cry for batters through the decades since 1897, when Wee Willie Keeler hit .432. Asked how a man of his size could put together such an average, Keeler responded: "Simple. I keep my eyes clear and I hit 'em where they ain't.''
Hot stove league -- Term for the gab, gossip and debate that takes place during the winter months when baseball is idle.
Iron glove -- Sloppy fielding; prone to errors.
Lollipop -- A soft pitch or weak throw.
Mendoza line -- Figurative boundary in the batting averages between those batters hitting above and below .215, Mario Mendoza's career average. (further elaboration on Net's list)
Picasso -- A control pitcher; one who paints the black.
Platter -- Home plate.
Play by the book -- To play in accord with the conventional wisdom of the game.
Pow wow -- A meeting on the playing field, usually involving several players and a coach who has come on to the field to talk strategy.
Punch-and-Judy -- Said of a hitter who tends to hit well-placed but weakly-hit balls for singles. The first reference was made by former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Walter Alston when asked about a home run by Willie McCovey of the San Francisco Giants. "When he belts a home run, he does it with such authority it seems like an act of God. You can't cry about it. He's not a Punch and Judy belter.''
Rhubarb -- A ruckus with the umpires; confusion; a fight between players. (further elaboration of Net's list)
Right down Broadway -- A pitch that is delivered in the middle of the strike zone. (same as "Main St." on my list)
Room service -- Term describing a pitch or batted ball that comes right to a defensive player.
Shoestring catch -- A catch made by a running fielder just before the ball hits the ground.
Texas Leaguer -- A poorly hit ball that loops meekly over the infield and lands for a hit.
Warning track power -- The ability of a batter with enough strength to hit a ball to the warning track, but not enough to hit a home run.
Whitewash -- To shut out a team.
Worm burner -- Batted ball that moves across the ground hard and fast.

[NetShrine]

Yog - - four big :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: for the new additions to this list! Thanks.

I think you're thinking of Joe Niekro or Rick Honeycutt from the 1980's.

[Yogi#8Fan]

Net, thanks lots. When you hit the search engines, there's no telling what you can find. I just happened to luck out on that one.

I was actually hoping you hadn't named the basket catch, since that was the favorite of the Say Hey Kid. I actually remember his cartoon from the 70s, "Willie Mays and the Say Hey Kid" before I even knew who he was. After this, I remember he finished his career in '73 with the Metsies. He'd retired just before the season ended, since he didn't want to hurt their playoff chances at the end of his illustrious career, and didn't want to put they in a PR predicament. I always loved that long stride and turning around making that basket catch. I think that was his procedure, but he was class all the way.

As far as Joe Niekro, was it himself, his brother Phil or both who were knuckleballers? Joe pitched until he was 43 and Phil until he was 48, with a little help from www.baseball-reference.com. That's a lot of pitching.

[NetShrine]

Originally posted by Yogi#8Fan
I actually remember his cartoon from the 70s, "Willie Mays and the Say Hey Kid" before I even knew who he was.

As far as Joe Niekro, was it himself, his brother Phil or both who were knuckleballers?

I remember the cartoon as well. Think it was Saturday AM on ABC?

Both Niekro's threw a knuckleball. Phil mostly threw it all the time. Joe had more of a mix of pitches.

[hmrsf]

"Annie Oakley-old timers recall this term as another word for walk, which is a free base on balls. American League president Ban Johnson saw Annie Oakley perform as a crack rifel shot in The Wild West Show, and compared the punch holes in complimentry baseball tickets to annie Oakley's bullet holes. Ball players eventually extended the name to cover anything free."

[NetShrine]

Never heard that one. I'm always learnin'.............:D

[nyy26wc]

Originally posted by Yogi#8Fan
Who was that pitcher or pitchers in the mid 80s who was famous for doctoring the balls? I remember the cameras would catch him using hair grease or vaseline to make the ball behave erratically. That time was very crazy since you'd have people bringing tiny bits of sandpaper to scuff up the baseballs.

The most famous one was Gaylord Perry.

A few good stories/quotes--

Gaylord Perry denied ever putting any foreign substances on the ball, since he said everything he ever put on the ball was made in America.

Don Sutton was pitching against the Yankees when the TV cameras repeatedly caught him scuffing the ball. Steinbrenner saw this and phoned the dugout to yell at Lou Piniella, telling him to bring this to the umpire's attention. Piniella responded by saying that wouldn't do the Yankees any good, since the Angels would then retaliate by exposing that Tommy John was doing the exact same thing in that game.

Joe Niekro was caught with an emery board in his pants pocket.

My favorite--Rick Honeycutt was ejected from a game after the umpires found a thumbtack in his glove. When he was walking back to the dugout, Honeycutt decided to use his glove to try to wipe sweat off his forehead, but forgot about the tack and cut himself.

[NetShrine]

Legend has it that Ellie Howard use to sharpen the buckles on his shin guard straps and slice a grove into the ball before returning it to the mound. There's all kinds of tricks.

Jay Howell got busted for using pinetar in a NLCS game - - to improve the grip on his curve.

[Yogi#8Fan]

Originally posted by NetShrine
I remember the cartoon as well. Think it was Saturday AM on ABC?

Both Niekro's threw a knuckleball. Phil mostly threw it all the time. Joe had more of a mix of pitches.It was one of those Saturday AM toons when they actually were toons. Afterward, I started seeing the basket catch and lots more. Someone said he'd worn his cap two sizes too small so they'd fall off his head to demonstrate he was hustling down for the base, but that's just what I'd heard.

[Yogi#8Fan]

NYY, funny stories. You mean Tommy John also cheated? I'm just glad you'd never mentioned Gator since that would've made my heart drop a bit.

[Yogi#8Fan]

Originally posted by NetShrine
Legend has it that Ellie Howard use to sharpen the buckles on his shin guard straps and slice a grove into the ball before returning it to the mound. There's all kinds of tricks.

Jay Howell got busted for using pinetar in a NLCS game - - to improve the grip on his curve.Elston Howard used to do this? Wow. I figured that was something you wouldn't see anymore or even back then.

I'm surprised no one just didn't decide to give the ball a bath in cocoa butter or bring a buffing machine to the mound. Everything else has been done so why not?

[nyy26wc]

Originally posted by Yogi#8Fan
It was one of those Saturday AM toons when they actually were toons. Afterward, I started seeing the basket catch and lots more. Someone said he'd worn his cap two sizes too small so they'd fall off his head to demonstrate he was hustling down for the base, but that's just what I'd heard.

Mays has admitted that his cap was 2 sizes too big, so he would fall off his head.

[Yogi#8Fan]

Originally posted by nyy26wc
Mays has admitted that his cap was 2 sizes too big, so he would fall off his head.2 sizes too big or too small? Hmmmm, so he would fall off his head or it would fall off his head? Hmmmmm. ;)

[95mph]

Originally posted by Yogi#8Fan
AAA or AA -- a very underperforming MLB team like Tampa Bay or Expos

:loud:

[nyy26wc]

Originally posted by Yogi#8Fan
2 sizes too big or too small? Hmmmm, so he would fall off his head or it would fall off his head? Hmmmmm. ;)

The cap was too big.

Meanwhile, it was the cap that fell off Mays's head.

[Yogi#8Fan]

Originally posted by 95mph
:loud:I couldn't help myself on this one. Due to politically correctness, I couldn't say that since Basement Bertha is a NY Daily News cartoon, that this is often compared to one certain NYC NL team which I won't mention. You haven't heard it from me so don't tell Buzz.

[Yogi#8Fan]

Originally posted by nyy26wc
The cap was too big.

Meanwhile, it was the cap that fell off Mays's head.Just pulling your leg that's all. I knew what you'd meant. You've been a stickler, so I decided revenge was sweet. :loud:;)

[BuzzBuzzard]

Originally posted by Yogi#8Fan
I couldn't help myself on this one. Due to politically correctness, I couldn't say that since Basement Bertha is a NY Daily News cartoon, that this is often compared to one certain NYC NL team which I won't mention. You haven't heard it from me so don't tell Buzz. I was waiting for this.

[satchel]

Woohoo! I can add one that's not on the list yet!
Pulling the string - throwing an off-speed pitch (particularly when the batter is expecting a fastball)

Also I didn't see "stuff" on any of the lists, as a general baseball expression, or "nasty stuff," "filthy stuff," or other variants.

[Yogi#8Fan]

Originally posted by BuzzBuzzard
I was waiting for this.Buzz, that wasn't me, I promise. I was home sleeping away when some green gremlins invaded my PC and starting typing away. They even stole my password and everything. And, and, ................

[Yogi#8Fan]

Originally posted by satchel
Woohoo! I can add one that's not on the list yet!
Pulling the string - throwing an off-speed pitch (particularly when the batter is expecting a fastball)Not familiar with this one but it certainly sounds good.

Also I didn't see "stuff" on any of the lists, as a general baseball expression, or "nasty stuff," "filthy stuff," or other variants.I thought that "stuff" was a sports term, like when a pitcher doesn't have his best stuff today. Same for tennis or other sports.

[NetShrine]

"Bringing It" has always been one of my favs.

[Yogi#8Fan]

Originally posted by NetShrine
"Bringing It" has always been one of my favs.I always thought that "bringing it" meant "Give me your best stuff" with the unsaid word "chump" following closely afterwards. Hmmmm.

Is there a term for a guy like Everett who hogs the plate and pratically owns it?

I think we all forgot "plunk" as in to just hit someone. I don't think it matters where, since I don't think it just refers to a beanball.

[NetShrine]

Bringing it refers to throwing hard.

Nolan was really bringing it tonight.

I've perosnally adopted this phrase into my everyday life. Like, if someone says to me that Pamela Lee has big hooters, I will reply with "Yeah, she's really bringing it."

[Yogi#8Fan]

I thought that "bring it" meant to give me your best shot. Like someone says they can flame you online, the other dude cooly says "Bring it" in a make my day attitude. :cool:

[Yogi#8Fan]

Part 1 of 3

From MLB.com (http://www.mlb.com/nasapp/mlb/mlb/baseball_basics/mlb_basics_define_terms.jsp).

Official Rules 2000 Edition
2.00 DEFINITION OF TERMS

ADJUDGED is a judgment decision by the umpire.

An APPEAL is the act of a fielder in claiming violation of the rules by the offensive team.

A BALK is an illegal act by the pitcher with a runner or runners on base, entitling all runners to advance one base.

A BALL is a pitch which does not enter the strike zone in flight and is not struck at by the batter. If the pitch touches the ground and bounces through the strike zone it is a "ball." If such a pitch touches the batter, he shall be awarded first base. If the batter swings at such a pitch after two strikes, the ball cannot be caught, for the purposes of Rule 6.05 (c) and 6.09 (b). If the batter hits such a pitch, the ensuing action shall be the same as if he hit the ball in flight.

A BASE is one of four points which must be touched by a runner in order to score a run; more usually applied to the canvas bags and the rubber plate which mark the base points.

A BASE COACH is a team member in uniform who is stationed in the coach's box at first or third base to direct the batter and the runners.

A BASE ON BALLS is an award of first base granted to a batter who, during his time at bat, receives four pitches outside the strike zone.

A BATTER is an offensive player who takes his position in the batter's box.

BATTER RUNNER is a term that identifies the offensive player who has just finished his time at bat until he is put out or until the play on which he became a runner ends.

The BATTER'S BOX is the area within which the batter shall stand during his time at bat.

The BATTERY is the pitcher and catcher. BENCH OR DUGOUT is the seating facilities reserved for players, substitutes and other team members in uniform when they are not actively engaged on the playing field.

A BUNT is a batted ball not swung at, but intentionally met with the bat and tapped slowly within the infield.

A CALLED GAME is one in which, for any reason, the umpire in chief terminates play.

A CATCH is the act of a fielder in getting secure possession in his hand or glove of a ball in flight and firmly holding it; providing he does not use his cap, protector, pocket or any other part of his uniform in getting possession. It is not a catch, however, if simultaneously or immediately following his contact with the ball, he collides with a player, or with a wall, or if he falls down, and as a result of such collision or falling, drops the ball. It is not a catch if a fielder touches a fly ball which then hits a member of the offensive team or an umpire and then is caught by another defensive player. If the fielder has made the catch and drops the ball while in the act of making a throw following the catch, the ball shall be adjudged to have been caught. In establishing the validity of the catch, the fielder shall hold the ball long enough to prove that he has complete control of the ball and that his release of the ball is voluntary and intentional. A catch is legal if the ball is finally held by any fielder, even though juggled, or held by another fielder before it touches the ground. Runners may leave their bases the instant the first fielder touches the ball. A fielder may reach over a fence, railing, rope or other line of demarcation to make a catch. He may jump on top of a railing, or canvas that may be in foul ground. No interference should be allowed when a fielder reaches over a fence, railing, rope or into a stand to catch a ball. He does so at his own risk. If a fielder, attempting a catch at the edge of the dugout, is "held up" and kept from an apparent fall by a player or players of either team and the catch is made, it shall be allowed.

The CATCHER is the fielder who takes his position back of the home base.

The CATCHER'S BOX is that area within which the catcher shall stand until the pitcher delivers the ball.

The CLUB is a person or group of persons responsible for assembling the team personnel, providing the playing field and required facilities, and representing the team in relations with the league.

A COACH is a team member in uniform appointed by the manager to perform such duties as the manager may designate, such as but not limited to acting as base coach.

A DEAD BALL is a ball out of play because of a legally created temporary suspension of play. The DEFENSE (or DEFENSIVE) is the team, or any player of the team, in the field.

A DOUBLE HEADER is two regularly scheduled or rescheduled games, played in immediate succession.

A DOUBLE PLAY is a play by the defense in which two offensive players are put out as a result of continuous action, providing there is no error between putouts.
(a) A force double play is one in which both putouts are force plays.
(b) A reverse force double play is one in which the first out is a force play and the second out is made on a runner for whom the force is removed by reason of the first out. Examples of reverse force plays: runner on first, one out; batter grounds to first baseman, who steps on first base (one out) and throws to second baseman or shortstop for the second out (a tag play). Another example: bases loaded, none out; batter grounds to third baseman, who steps on third base (one out); then throws to catcher for the second out (tag play).

DUGOUT (See definition of BENCH)

[Yogi#8Fan]

2 of 3, from MLB.com.

A FAIR BALL is a batted ball that settles on fair ground between home and first base, or between home and third base, or that is on or over fair territory when bounding to the outfield past first or third base, or that touches first, second or third base, or that first falls on fair territory on or beyond first base or third base, or that, while on or over fair territory touches the person of an umpire or player, or that, while over fair territory, passes out of the playing field in flight. A fair fly shall be judged according to the relative position of the ball and the foul line, including the foul pole, and not as to whether the fielder is on fair or foul territory at the time he touches the ball. If a fly ball lands in the infield between home and first base, or home and third base, and then bounces to foul territory without touching a player or umpire and before passing first or third base, it is a foul ball; or if the ball settles on foul territory or is touched by a player on foul territory, it is a foul ball. If a fly ball lands on or beyond first or third base and then bounces to foul territory, it is a fair hit. Clubs, increasingly, are erecting tall foul poles at the fence line with a wire netting extending along the side of the pole on fair territory above the fence to enable the umpires more accurately to judge fair and foul balls.

FAIR TERRITORY is that part of the playing field within, and including the first base and third base lines, from home base to the bottom of the playing field fence and perpendicularly upwards. All foul lines are in fair territory.

A FIELDER is any defensive player.

FIELDER'S CHOICE is the act of a fielder who handles a fair grounder and, instead of throwing to first base to put out the batter runner, throws to another base in an attempt to put out a preceding runner. The term is also used by scorers (a) to account for the advance of the batter runner who takes one or more extra bases when the fielder who handles his safe hit attempts to put out a preceding runner; (b) to account for the advance of a runner (other than by stolen base or error) while a fielder is attempting to put out another runner; and (c) to account for the advance of a runner made solely because of the defensive team's indifference (undefended steal).

A FLY BALL is a batted ball that goes high in the air in flight.

A FORCE PLAY is a play in which a runner legally loses his right to occupy a base by reason of the batter becoming a runner. Confusion regarding this play is removed by remembering that frequently the "force" situation is removed during the play. Example: Man on first, one out, ball hit sharply to first baseman who touches the bag and batter runner is out. The force is removed at that moment and runner advancing to second must be tagged. If there had been a runner on third or second, and either of these runners scored before the tag out at second, the run counts. Had the first baseman thrown to second and the ball then had been returned to first, the play at second was a force out, making two outs, and the return throw to first ahead of the runner would have made three outs. In that case, no run would score. Example: Not a force out. One out. Runner on first and third. Batter flies out. Two out. Runner on third tags up and scores. Runner on first tries to retouch before throw from fielder reaches first baseman, but does not get back in time and is out. Three outs. If, in umpire's judgment, the runner from third touched home before the ball was held at first base, the run counts.

A FORFEITED GAME is a game declared ended by the umpire in chief in favor of the offended team by the score of 9 to 0, for violation of the rules.

A FOUL BALL is a batted ball that settles on foul territory between home and first base, or between home and third base, or that bounds past first or third base on or over foul territory, or that first falls on foul territory beyond first or third base, or that, while on or over foul territory, touches the person of an umpire or player, or any object foreign to the natural ground. A foul fly shall be judged according to the relative position of the ball and the foul line, including the foul pole, and not as to whether the infielder is on foul or fair territory at the time he touches the ball. A batted ball not touched by a fielder, which hits the pitcher's rubber and rebounds into foul territory, between home and first, or between home and third base is a foul ball.

FOUL TERRITORY is that part of the playing field outside the first and third base lines extended to the fence and perpendicularly upwards.

A FOUL TIP is a batted ball that goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher's hands and is legally caught. It is not a foul tip unless caught and any foul tip that is caught is a strike, and the ball is in play. It is not a catch if it is a rebound, unless the ball has first touched the catcher's glove or hand.

A GROUND BALL is a batted ball that rolls or bounces close to the ground.

The HOME TEAM is the team on whose grounds the game is played, or if the game is played on neutral grounds, the home team shall be designated by mutual agreement.

ILLEGAL (or ILLEGALLY)is contrary to these rules.

An ILLEGAL PITCH is (1) a pitch delivered to the batter when the pitcher does not have his pivot foot in contact with the pitcher's plate; (2) a quick return pitch. An illegal pitch when runners are on base is a balk.

An INFIELDER is a fielder who occupies a position in the infield.

An INFIELD FLY is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out. The pitcher, catcher and any outfielder who stations himself in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose of this rule. When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an Infield Fly, the umpire shall immediately declare "Infield Fly" for the benefit of the runners. If the ball is near the baselines, the umpire shall declare "Infield Fly, if Fair." The ball is alive and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught, or retouch and advance after the ball is touched, the same as on any fly ball. If the hit becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul. If a declared Infield Fly is allowed to fall untouched to the ground, and bounces foul before passing first or third base, it is a foul ball. If a declared Infield Fly falls untouched to the ground outside the baseline, and bounces fair before passing first or third base, it is an Infield Fly. On the infield fly rule the umpire is to rule whether the ball could ordinarily have been handled by an infielder not by some arbitrary limitation such as the grass, or the base lines. The umpire must rule also that a ball is an infield fly, even if handled by an outfielder, if, in the umpire's judgment, the ball could have been as easily handled by an infielder. The infield fly is in no sense to be considered an appeal play. The umpire's judgment must govern, and the decision should be made immediately. When an infield fly rule is called, runners may advance at their own risk. If on an infield fly rule, the infielder intentionally drops a fair ball, the ball remains in play despite the provisions of Rule 6.05 (L). The infield fly rule takes precedence.

IN FLIGHT describes a batted, thrown, or pitched ball which has not yet touched the ground or some object other than a fielder.

IN JEOPARDY is a term indicating that the ball is in play and an offensive player may be put out.

An INNING is that portion of a game within which the teams alternate on offense and defense and in which there are three putouts for each team. Each team's time at bat is a half inning.

INTERFERENCE
(a) Offensive interference is an act by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play. If the umpire declares the batter, batter runner, or a runner out for interference, all other runners shall return to the last base that was in the judgment of the umpire, legally touched at the time of the interference, unless otherwise provided by these rules. In the event the batter runner has not reached first base, all runners shall return to the base last occupied at the time of the pitch.
(b) Defensive interference is an act by a fielder which hinders or prevents a batter from hitting a pitch.
(c) Umpire's interference occurs (1) When an umpire hinders, impedes or prevents a catcher's throw attempting to prevent a stolen base, or (2) When a fair ball touches an umpire on fair territory before passing a fielder.
(d) Spectator interference occurs when a spectator reaches out of the stands, or goes on the playing field, and touches a live ball. On any interference the ball is dead.

[Yogi#8Fan]

3 of 3 from MLB.com.

THE LEAGUE is a group of clubs whose teams play each other in a pre arranged schedule under these rules for the league championship.

THE LEAGUE PRESIDENT shall enforce the official rules, resolve any disputes involving the rules, and determine any protested games. The league president may fine or suspend any player, coach, manager or umpire for violation of these rules, at his discretion.

LEGAL (or LEGALLY) is in accordance with these rules.

A LIVE BALL is a ball which is in play.

A LINE DRIVE is a batted ball that goes sharp and direct from the bat to a fielder without touching the ground.

THE MANAGER is a person appointed by the club to be responsible for the team's actions on the field, and to represent the team in communications with the umpire and the opposing team. A player may be appointed manager.
(a) The club shall designate the manager to the league president or the umpire in chief not less than thirty minutes before the scheduled starting time of the game.
(b) The manager may advise the umpire that he has delegated specific duties prescribed by the rules to a player or coach, and any action of such designated representative shall be official. The manager shall always be responsible for his team's conduct, observance of the official rules, and deference to the umpires.
(c) If a manager leaves the field, he shall designate a player or coach as his substitute, and such substitute manager shall have the duties, rights and responsibilities of the manager. If the manager fails or refuses to designate his substitute before leaving, the umpire in chief shall designate a team member as substitute manager.

OBSTRUCTION is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner. If a fielder is about to receive a thrown ball and if the ball is in flight directly toward and near enough to the fielder so he must occupy his position to receive the ball he may be considered "in the act of fielding a ball." It is entirely up to the judgment of the umpire as to whether a fielder is in the act of fielding a ball. After a fielder has made an attempt to field a ball and missed, he can no longer be in the "act of fielding" the ball. For example: an infielder dives at a ground ball and the ball passes him and he continues to lie on the ground and delays the progress of the runner, he very likely has obstructed the runner.

OFFENSE is the team, or any player of the team, at bat.

OFFICIAL SCORER. See Rule 10.00.

An OUT is one of the three required retirements of an offensive team during its time at bat.

An OUTFIELDER is a fielder who occupies a position in the outfield, which is the area of the playing field most distant from home base.

OVERSLIDE (or OVERSLIDING) is the act of an offensive player when his slide to a base, other than when advancing from home to first base, is with such momentum that he loses contact with the base.

A PENALTY is the application of these rules following an illegal act.

The PERSON of a player or an umpire is any part of his body, his clothing or his equipment.

A PITCH is a ball delivered to the batter by the pitcher. All other deliveries of the ball by one player to another are thrown balls.

A PITCHER is the fielder designated to deliver the pitch to the batter.

The pitcher's PIVOT FOOT is that foot which is in contact with the pitcher's plate as he delivers the pitch.

"PLAY" is the umpire's order to start the game or to resume action following any dead ball.

A QUICK RETURN pitch is one made with obvious intent to catch a batter off balance. It is an illegal pitch.

REGULATION GAME. See Rules 4.10 and 4.11.

A RETOUCH is the act of a runner in returning to a base as legally required.

A RUN (or SCORE) is the score made by an offensive player who advances from batter to runner and touches first, second, third and home bases in that order.

A RUN DOWN is the act of the defense in an attempt to put out a runner between bases.

A RUNNER is an offensive player who is advancing toward, or touching, or returning to any base.

"SAFE" is a declaration by the umpire that a runner is entitled to the base for which he was trying.

SET POSITION is one of the two legal pitching positions.

SQUEEZE PLAY is a term to designate a play when a team, with a runner on third base, attempts to score that runner by means of a bunt.

A STRIKE is a legal pitch when so called by the umpire, which_
(a) Is struck at by the batter and is missed;
(b) Is not struck at, if any part of the ball passes through any part of the strike zone;
(c) Is fouled by the batter when he has less than two strikes;
(d) Is bunted foul;
(e) Touches the batter as he strikes at it;
(f) Touches the batter in flight in the strike zone; or
(g) Becomes a foul tip.

The STRIKE ZONE is that area over home plate the upper limit of which is a horizontal line at the midpoint between the top of the shoulders and the top of the uniform pants, and the lower level is a line at the hallow beneath the knee cap. The Strike Zone shall be determined from the batter's stance as the batter is prepared to swing at a pitched ball. (For diagram of STRIKE ZONE see page 23.)

A SUSPENDED GAME is a called game which is to be completed at a later date.

A TAG is the action of a fielder in touching a base with his body while holding the ball securely and firmly in his hand or glove; or touching a runner with the ball, or with his hand or glove holding the ball, while holding the ball securely and firmly in his hand or glove.

A THROW is the act of propelling the ball with the hand and arm to a given objective and is to be distinguished, always, from the pitch.

A TIE GAME is a regulation game which is called when each team has the same number of runs.

"TIME" is the announcement by an umpire of a legal interruption of play, during which the ball is dead.

TOUCH. To touch a player or umpire is to touch any part of his body, his clothing or his equipment.

A TRIPLE PLAY is a play by the defense in which three offensive players are put out as a result of continuous action, providing there is no error between putouts.

A WILD PITCH is one so high, so low, or so wide of the plate that it cannot be handled with ordinary effort by the catcher.

WIND UP POSITION is one of the two legal pitching positions.

[Yogi#8Fan]

In case no one's noticed, I've been updating these lists periodically, editing old posts, rather than creating new ones. Check back from time to time to see which terms I've added or made more clear.

[Skipper Steve]

Great work Yog.

[Yogi#8Fan]

Thanks, Skip. I'm making all additions & edits to the second post on the first page. If you see anything you disagree with, you may wish to post into the "Questions about Lingos" thread.

[Yogi#8Fan]

Baseball-Reference.com's batting glossary (http://www.baseball-reference.com/about/bat_glossary.shtml):

Here is a run down of the columns.

Year - Year in which the season occurred
Ag - Player age on July 1st of that year.
Tm - Team they played for (see Team ID's)
Lg - League they played in (AL- American League, NL- National League)
G - Games played
AB - At Bats
R - Runs Scored
H - Hits
2B - Doubles
3B - Triples
HR - Home Runs
RBI - Runs Batted in
SB - Stolen Bases
CS - Caught Stealing (given when available)
BB - Base on Balls or Walks
SO - Strikeouts or whiffs or K's
BA - Batting Average H/AB
OBP - On-Base Percentage (H+BB+HBP)/(AB+BB+SF+HBP) (SF and HBP are assumed zero if unavailable)
SLG - Slugging Percentage TB/AB (see TB below)
TB - Total Bases (Singles + 2*2B + 3*3B + 4*HR)
SH - Sacrifice Hits or Bunts
SF - Sacrifice Flies (when available)
HBP - Hit by Pitch (when available)
IBB - Intentional Base on Balls (when available)
OPS - It doesn't appear here, but OPS is On-Base Percentage + Slugging Percentage. It is a pretty good estimate of offensive ability.

[Skipper Steve]

Glossary of Minor League Transaction Terms

Minor League players are generally under contract to a Major League Club and are assigned to play for a Minor League Club (1) that the Major League Club owns or (2) that has a Player Development Contract with the Major League Club. Major League Clubs may freely assign their Minor League players among their affiliated Minor League Clubs, subject to certain league age and service requirements. The following glossary describes some terms used in Minor League transactions. References to "players" in the glossary apply only to Minor League players.

Active List:
The roster of players eligible to participate in a game:

For Class AAA and AA Clubs, the Active List is 24 players from opening day through the 30th day of the championship season and from August 10 through the end of the championship season, and is 23 players from the 31st day of the championship season until August 10;
For Class A Clubs, the Active List is 25 players from opening day through the end of the championship season;
For Short-Season A Clubs, the Active List is 30 players, only 25 of whom may be in uniform and eligible to play in a given game, from opening day through the end of the championship season; and
For Rookie Clubs, the Active List is 35 players, only 30 of whom may be in uniform and eligible to play in a given game, from opening day through the end of the championship season.
Championship Season:
The regular season of games, not including any post-season playoffs.

Contract Voided:
A player's contract is terminated under provisions described in the contract. A player whose contract is voided becomes a free agent and may sign with any Club.

Disabled List:
An injured Minor League Player may be placed on this list during the championship season only. A player on the Disabled List must remain there for a minimum period of seven days before the player can be reinstated to the Active List. A player on the Disabled List does not count against a Club's Active List limits, but does count against a Club's Reserve List limits.

Disqualified List:
A player who violates a player contract or reservation may be placed on this list. There is no minimum number of days the player must remain on the Disqualified List before the player can be reinstated to the Active List. A player on the Disqualified List does not count against a Club's Active List limits or its Reserve List limits.

Emergency Disabled List:
An injured Minor League Player may be placed on this list during the championship season only. A player on the Emergency Disabled List must remain on the list for a minimum period of 60 days or until the end of the championship season (whichever is earlier) before the player can be reinstated to the Active List. A player on the Emergency Disabled List does not count against a Club's Active List limits or its Reserve List limits.

Free Agent:
A Minor League player is a free agent, able to sign with any Club, when the term of the player's Minor League contract has expired. If the player has not re-signed with the same Club, the player becomes a Minor League free agent on October 15 at 5:00 p.m. (ET).

Ineligible List:
A player found to have committed misconduct may be placed on this list. There is no minimum number of days the player must remain on the Ineligible List before the player can be reinstated to the Active List. A player on the Ineligible List does not count against a Club's Active List limits or its Reserve List limits.

Loan:
A Minor League player's contract may be loaned from one organization to another, so long as the new Club is also under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Baseball. The Assignor Club retains contractual rights to the player. The player must be returned to the assignor Club at the end of the championship season. Loans of players are most commonly made to Mexican League Clubs.

Outright Assignment:
A player who is traded from one Major League organization to another is assigned outright. The assignor Club transfers all contractual rights regarding the player to the assignee Club.

Rehabilitation Assignment:
A Minor League Player on either the Disabled List or Emergency Disabled List may be sent to a Short-Season A or Rookie classification Minor League Club to play on a rehabilitation assignment, while the player remains on the Disabled List or Emergency Disabled List of the player's original Club. A rehabilitation assignment may not exceed 20 days for non-pitchers or 30 days for pitchers. A player on a Minor League rehabilitation assignment does not count against the Active List or Reserve List limits of the Club for which the player is playing on the rehabilitation assignment.

Release:
A player's contract is terminated and the player becomes a free agent.

Reserve List:
The roster of players eligible for placement on the Active List:

For Class AAA, the Reserve List limit is 38 players;
For Class AA, the Reserve List limit is 37 players; and
For Class A, Short-Season and Rookie, the Reserve List limit is 35 players.
Restricted List:
A player who fails to report or fails to sign a contract with the Club to which the player is reserved may be placed on the Restricted List. There is no minimum number of days the player must remain on the Restricted List before the player can be reinstated to the Active List. A player on the Restricted List does not count against a Club's Active List limits or its Reserve List limits.

Return:
The act of moving a loaned player's contract back to the Minor League Club that loaned the player. All players who have been loaned must be returned no later than September 30.

Selected Rule 5:
A player selected in the Class AAA or Class AA phase of the Rule 5 draft, which is conducted in December each year, is assigned from one Major League organization to another. The selecting Club pays a set price to the player's former Club for the right to the player's contract.

Suspended List:
A player may be placed on the Suspended List for misconduct or rule or contract violations. There is no minimum amount of days the player must be on the Suspended List before the player can be reinstated to the Active List. A player on the Suspended List does not count against a Club's Active List limits, but the player does count against its Reserve List limits.

Temporarily Inactive List:
A player with an excused absence to perform personal obligations is placed on this list. The player must be on the Temporarily Inactive List for a minimum of three days before the player can be reinstated to the Active List. A player on the Temporarily Inactive List does not count against a Club's Active List limits, but does count against its Reserve List limits.

Transfer:
Minor League Player is moved from one Minor League Club to another within the same Major League organization.

Voluntary Retired:
A player who wishes to retire is placed on this list. The player may not be reinstated until the player has missed 60 playing days of the championship season.

[Yogi#8Fan]

Skippy, that looks like some good stuff.

[BBapplepie]

Toeing the rubber(slab)- foot on pitching rubber
Slip pitch- another name for palm ball or change up
Stinger- hurt feeling to fingers from bat when cold or
hitting off the handle.
Blue- calling attention to the umpires
Neighbor play-defense player is near base with ball and
is given the out call or off base too early

[Yogi#8Fan]

BB, sounds good. If someone agrees the terms are good, I'll drop them into my main list (2nd post of this thread).

Bye.

[hmrsf]

when scoring games I use WL.......was not looking.

[Yogi#8Fan]

It's probably generic sports but "W-L" can be used for pitchers and teams. I'll probably throw it in, since it also accounts for W% (lookey, I just figured out another one).

[Xanadu Dragon]

Originally posted by hmrsf
when scoring games I use WL.......was not looking.

Scooter Rizzuto was famous for that! He would score "WW" (Wasn't Watching). :loud:

[Yogi#8Fan]

Originally posted by Xanadu Dragon
Scooter Rizzuto was famous for that! He would score "WW" (Wasn't Watching). :loud: Holy Cow, I never knew that! I do now.

Back to the point, I just added "table setter" as the leadoff guy.

[hmrsf]

Originally posted by Xanadu Dragon


Scooter Rizzuto was famous for that! He would score "WW" (Wasn't Watching). :loud:

That is too funny! Now I can tell my husband that it is real. I taught him how to score....so I set the rules.:p What does he call it, hmmmm...oh I know, creative scoring according to (my name.)

[Yogi#8Fan]

Originally posted by Xanadu Dragon


Scooter Rizzuto was famous for that! He would score "WW" (Wasn't Watching). :loud: Should I use this?

"WW" (Wasn't Watching):
When the viewer doesn't keep track of the score due to not watching the game briefly. Coined by former NYY broadcaster and HOFer, Phil "Scooter" Rizzuto.