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     Balk - Called against a pitcher, while set in his pitching position, who illegally moves off the rubber when one or more runners are on base. Runners get a free advance to the next base on a balk. Bases Loaded - Term for when there are runners on first, second, and third base. Batter’s Box - The rectangular areas on either side of home plate where players stand when batting. Beaned - When a batter is hit in the head by a pitch. Anytime a batter is hit by a pitch, he advances to first base. Bunt - A batter uses a partial swing to gently hit the ball into the infield in an attempt to outrun a throw to first base or advance a base runner. Coach’s Box - The outlined area on ither side of first and third base. From there, coaches for the batting team signal instructions to batters and runners. The Count - The number of balls and strikes against a batter. A count of three balls and two strikes is called a "full count." Diamond - Another name for the infield, derived from the diamond shape formed by the three bases and home plate. Double Play - When the fielding team puts out two base runners on a hit ball. Error - When a fielding player misplays the ball or makes a bad throw, allowing a batter or runners on base to advance. Fielder’s Choice - When a fielder has more than one option for making an out. Foul Tip - A foul ball that is lightly tipped. Force Play - Occurs when a batter hits a fair ball and runs to first base, forcing a base runner directly ahead of him to run to the next base. In this situation, an infielder holding the baseball need only tag the base ahead of a runner in order to get him out. Fly Ball - A ball hit high in the air past the infield. Grand Slam - A home run with the bases loaded. Four runs are scored. Ground Rule Double - When a fair ball either bounces over a home run fence or rolls out of play, the batter gets an automatic double. Grounder - A batted ball hit along the ground. Hit-and-Run - To help advance a runner, the batter swings at a pitch while at the same time a runner on base advances toward the next base. Infield Fly Rule - A batter is automatically called out if he pops the ball up in the infield with base runners on first and second, and there are fewer than two outs. This rule is enforced regardless of whether or not the pop-up is caught. Leading - While the pitcher prepares to throw to a batter, a runner may stand away from the base he occupies in an effort to get a head start toward the next base. Lineup - The order in which players bat. No Hitter - Credited to a pitcher who does not give up any base hits in a game. On Deck - Refers to the player next up to bat in the lineup. Pickoff - In an attempt to catch a runner leading too far off the bag, the pitcher will throw to the baseman. This move is often used to prevent runners from "stealing." Pitcher’s Mound - The elevated dirt area in the center of the diamond from where the pitcher throws to batters. Pitchout - A pitch intentionally thrown wide to a batter in order that the catcher may try to throw out a base runner. Pop-up - A ball hit straight up in the air. Relief Pitcher - A substitute pitcher who enters the game as a replacement for a pitcher who has tired or is having difficulty getting batters out. The Rubber - The rubber mat embedded in the pitcher's mound. The pitcher must always have at least one foot on the rubber when pitching the ball to batters. Rundown - When fielders trap a base runner between two bases, throwing the ball to one another, before chasing him down for a tag out. Run Batted In (or RBI) - Credited to the batter who brings home a base runner as a result of his turn at bat. It may occur with a hit, a walk with the bases loaded, a "sacrifice," and sometimes even an out - if the out leads to a run. Sacrifice - Describes when a batter advances a runner to the next base by bunting or hitting a fly ball. Though the batter is out, he has moved the runner into a better scoring position. Safe - Called by the umpire when a runner successfully reaches a base. Signals - Hand and arm gestures used by players and coaches to communicate plays with each other across the field. Umpires also use hand signals to inform players, coaches, and fans of their calls. Slide - To avoid being tagged out on close fielding plays, runners will often slide feetfirst or dive headfirst into a base. Stolen Base - Occurs when a runner sprints to the next base during a pitch. Strike Zone - The pitching target over home plate. It is the area between a batting player's shoulders and knees. Tagging Up - Once a fly ball has been caught by an outfielder, a base runner may tag his base and try to run to the next base before the ball is thrown there. Walk (or Base on Balls) - If a batter is pitched four balls in his turn at bat he gets a free advance to first base. Entire contents copyright © 1997-2006, MomsGuide.com , Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form for commercial re-use without prior written permission is forbidden. “Mom’s Guide to Sports” is a registered trademark of MomsGuide.com, Inc. |
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