Cracking Baseball Lingo: Solve the Informally Crossword of America’s Favorite Pastime
If you’re a fan of baseball, you might have heard some terms thrown around by commentators, coaches, and players that might sound strange. But don’t worry, baseball lingo is like a crossword puzzle – once you get the hang of it, it’s easy to understand. In this article, we will decode some of the most commonly used baseball terms that have left you perplexed before.
The Batter’s Box
When a batter steps up to the plate, they enter the batter’s box – a rectangular area marked on either side of the plate. The batter must remain in the box throughout their plate appearance.
On-Deck
The player next in line to bat is known as On-Deck. Generally, they will wait to hit until the player in front of them has completed their at-bat.
At-Bat
The act of a batter facing the pitcher and attempting to hit the ball is called At-Bat. Each time a batter comes up to bat, it’s counted as one at-bat, regardless of the outcome.
Homerun
When a batter hits the ball over the outfield wall, it’s a homerun. Typically, the batter will circle the bases and score a run.
Out
There are a few ways in which a batter can be given an Out, such as a strikeout, a fly ball caught by a fielder, or a ground ball that results in a force play. After three outs, the teams switch from hitting to fielding.
Pitch
The pitcher throws the ball towards the batter. There are different types of pitches, including a fastball, curveball, slider, or knuckleball.
Bottom of the Inning
When one team finishes their half-inning of batting, the other team takes the field. This is signified with the phrase “bottom of the inning”, as the second half of the inning is about to begin.
Stealing Bases
If a baserunner advances to the next base before the pitcher throws the ball or as the pitcher throws the ball, this is called stealing a base. Certain players, like speedsters or leadoff hitters, are more likely to attempt a stolen base.
The Final Word
Baseball lingo can be confusing, but with a little bit of practice, you can easily understand common baseball terms. As you continue to learn and watch baseball, you’ll pick up new lingo and further increase your knowledge of this popular pastime.
