Baseball Terminology - Part 2

RSS

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