First base (man) |
The first base on the baseball field and the player responsible for defending that position |
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One-base hit (single) |
A hit where the batter successfully runs to first base |
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Second base (man) |
The second base on the baseball field and the player responsible for defending that position |
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Two-base hit (double) |
A hit where the batter successfully runs to second base |
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Third base (man) |
The third base on the baseball field and the player responsible for defending that position |
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Three-base hit (triple) |
A hit where the batter successfully runs to third base |
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Home base (plate) |
The position where the batter hits, also the scoring point |
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Plate (head) umpire |
The main umpire standing behind home plate judging balls and strikes |
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Base bag |
The four fixed white cushions on the field that runners must touch to be safe |
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Home run / Homer |
When a batter scores directly after hitting, usually by hitting the ball over the home run wall |
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Solo home run |
A home run with no runners on base, scoring 1 run |
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Grand slam home run |
A home run with bases loaded, scoring 4 runs |
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Walk off hit |
A hit that decides the game in the last inning |
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Walk off home run |
A home run that decides the game in the last inning |
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At bat |
The number of official batting attempts by a batter |
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Run batted in (RBI) |
The number of times a batter’s hit allows teammates to score |
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Base on ball |
When a pitcher throws four balls, allowing the batter to advance to first base |
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Four ball |
When a pitcher throws four balls, allowing the batter to advance to first base |
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Walk |
When a pitcher throws four balls, allowing the batter to advance to first base |
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Hit-and-run |
A strategy where the runner starts running early and the batter must hit |
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Run down |
When a runner is caught between two defensive positions |
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Pickle |
When a runner is caught between two defensive positions |
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Intentional walk |
A strategy where the pitcher intentionally throws four balls to walk the batter |
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Wild pitch |
A pitch that the catcher cannot catch |
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Sacrifice fly |
A fly ball out that allows a runner to score |
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Earned run average |
A statistic showing the average runs allowed by a pitcher per nine innings |
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Pitch hitter |
A player who substitutes for the original batter in the batting order |
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Outfielder |
A player who defends the outfield area |
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Relief pitcher |
A pitcher who replaces the starting pitcher |
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Infielder |
A player who defends the infield area |
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Southpaw |
A pitcher who throws with their left hand |
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Screw-armer |
A pitcher who throws with their left hand |
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Left-hander |
A pitcher who throws with their left hand |
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Center |
A player who defends the center outfield area |
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Right-hander |
A pitcher who throws with their right hand |
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Left fielder |
A player who defends the left outfield area |
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Batter |
The player currently batting |
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Right fielder |
A player who defends the right outfield area |
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General manager |
The executive responsible for overall team operations |
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Catcher |
The defensive player who catches behind home plate |
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Pitcher |
The player who throws from the pitcher’s mound |
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Shortstop |
The infielder who defends between second and third base |
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Coacher |
The coach who guides runners at first and third base |
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Middle reliever |
A pitcher who substitutes in middle innings |
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Bull pen |
The area where pitchers warm up |
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Full count |
A situation with two strikes and three balls |
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Base full |
When there are runners on first, second, and third base |
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Base sliding |
The action of a runner sliding into a base |
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Plate |
The number of times a batter comes to bat, including walks |
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Game |
The number of games a player participates in |
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Pitcher’s plate |
The elevated mound where the pitcher throws from |
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Batting average |
The percentage of hits divided by at-bats |
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Game started |
The number of times a pitcher starts a game |
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Save |
When a relief pitcher successfully preserves a victory |
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Blown save |
When a relief pitcher fails to preserve a victory |
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Foul ball |
A ball hit into foul territory |
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Fair ball |
A ball hit into fair territory |
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Ball |
A pitch outside the strike zone |
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Strike |
A pitch inside the strike zone |
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Hit |
When a batter successfully reaches base after hitting |
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Ground ball |
A hit where the ball rolls along the ground |
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Breaking pitch |
A pitch with special spin or movement |
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Hit by pitch |
When a pitcher’s throw hits the batter |
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Curve |
A pitch with an arcing movement |
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Shoot ball |
A pitch combining fastball and curve characteristics |
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Pop-up |
A high, short fly ball |
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Sinker |
A pitch that drops sharply |
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Fast ball |
A pitch primarily based on speed |
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Screwball |
A pitch with special spin direction |
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Liner |
A straight, fast pitch |
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Knuckle ball |
A slow pitch thrown with knuckles for irregular rotation |
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High fly ball |
A high, long fly ball |
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Tip |
When the ball slightly grazes the bat |
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Steal |
Running to the next base during the pitcher’s delivery |
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Complete game |
When a pitcher pitches the entire game |
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Caught stealing |
When a runner is caught stealing a base |
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Designated hitter |
A player who only bats and doesn’t play defense |
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Stolen base |
Successfully stealing the next base |
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Disabled list |
A list of players unable to play due to injury |
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Double steal |
When two runners steal bases simultaneously |
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Forced out |
When a defender steps on a base to force out a runner |
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Double play |
Two outs in one offensive play |
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Triple play |
Three outs in one offensive play |
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Sacrifice hit |
A hit that results in an out but achieves a tactical effect |
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Score ring position |
Scoring opportunity with runners on second and third |
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Lose |
The number of games credited as losses for a pitcher |
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Shutout |
When a pitcher completes a game without allowing any runs |
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Win |
The number of games credited as wins for a pitcher |
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Inning pitched |
The number of innings a pitcher throws |
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Run |
When a runner successfully circles the bases and scores |
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Dead ball |
When the umpire declares the game temporarily stopped |
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Strike zone |
The legal pitching area between a batter’s knees and chest |
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Left on bases |
The number of runners who didn’t score |
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Save point |
The number of successful saves by a relief pitcher |
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Error |
A defensive handling mistake |
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Dugout |
The resting area for players beside the field |
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Take base |
When a batter or runner successfully reaches a base |
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Extra inning |
Additional innings after the regular nine innings |
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On base percentage (OBP) |
The probability of a batter reaching base |
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No-hitter |
When a pitcher completes a game without allowing any hits |
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Assist |
Helping create an out on defense |
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Out |
When an offensive player is ruled out |
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Strike-out |
When a batter is struck out by the pitcher |
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Uncaught third strike |
When a batter is struck out but the catcher fails to catch the ball |
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Earned run |
Runs that are the pitcher’s responsibility |
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Fielding percentage |
The probability of successful defense |
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Short field |
The area defended by the shortstop |
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Balk |
An illegal pitching motion |
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Inside corner |
The edge of the strike zone closer to the batter |
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Outside corner |
The edge of the strike zone away from the batter |
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Winning play |
An important play that affects the game’s outcome |
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Check |
A pitcher’s move to prevent base stealing |
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Control |
A pitcher’s ability to control pitch location |
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Wind-up |
A pitcher’s preparation motion before throwing |
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Pitcher’s foot fault |
An illegal stepping motion by the pitcher |
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Left-handed batter |
A batter who holds the bat with their left hand |
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Right-handed batter |
A batter who holds the bat with their right hand |
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Batter’s box |
The area where the batter stands to hit |
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Batting order |
The arrangement of players' batting sequence |
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Free pass |
Reaching base via walk or hit by pitch |
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Return to one’s base |
When a runner returns to their original base |
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Heavy batter |
A batter with strong hitting power |
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Swing |
The motion of a batter swinging the bat |
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Back swing |
When a batter pulls back an incomplete swing |
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Hitless |
When a batter fails to get a hit |
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Batting eye |
The ability to judge balls and strikes |
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Base running |
The skill of running between bases |
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Bunt |
A tactical hit where the ball is gently tapped |
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Fielding |
The defensive skill of catching the ball |
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Fumble |
A defensive catching error |
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Inning |
The scoring unit of the game, divided into top and bottom |
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Battery |
The combination of pitcher and catcher |
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Passed ball |
When a catcher misses a catchable pitch |
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Bull pen |
The area where pitchers warm up |
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Base path |
The running path between bases |
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Baseball bat |
The bat used by batters to hit |
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One-handed catch |
Catching the ball with one hand |
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Out-of-bounds |
A ball hit outside the playing field |
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Baseball diamond |
The playing field, shaped like a diamond |
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Sliding catch |
A defensive catch made while sliding |
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Jumping catch |
A defensive catch made while jumping |
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Game ball |
The game ball kept after a victory |
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Perfect game |
When a pitcher completes a game with no runners reaching base |
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Hit a cycle |
Hitting all types of hits in one game |
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Swing & miss |
Swinging without hitting the ball |
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Productive out |
An out that achieves a tactical purpose |
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Unproductive out |
An out that achieves no tactical effect |
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SAC out |
A sacrifice out for tactical purposes |
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SAC fly out |
A sacrifice out via fly ball |
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Fly out |
An out from a caught fly ball |
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Pop out |
An out from a caught short fly ball |
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Ground out |
An out from a thrown ground ball |
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Line out |
An out from a caught line drive |
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Line drive |
A ball hit hard and parallel to the ground |
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Foul out |
An out from a caught foul ball |
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Pick out |
An out from a pitcher’s pickoff move |
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Bunt out |
An out from a fielded bunt |
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Tag out |
An out from a defender tagging a runner |
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Thrown out |
An out from being caught stealing |
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