If you grew up watching thrilling baseball games live in the flesh, or even if you played it yourself at one point or another, you might already be familiar with the terminology used in this exhilarating sport. However, if you are new to the wonderful world of baseball, you might need a bit of assistance determining a bunt from a battery or a balk!
Knowing your terminology can also be of great use when indulging in sports betting, either at a land-based outlet or at your favorite online bookmaker or sports and bingo Australia site. Check out our complete baseball terminology guide below to brush up on your sports lingo, impress your next game companion, and hopefully score great returns on your cash bets as well…
Balks, Batteries and Bunts
Balk: this refers to any pitching motion that goes against the rules of the baseball game in progress. At no point is the pitcher ever allowed to try and trick or mislead the base runner with outlawed motions or false throws!
Battery: this term is used to describe a battery that consists of two baseball players; namely, the pitcher and the catcher.
Bunt: a bunt is when a batter holds his or her baseball bat out and tries to lightly tap the ball, as opposed to taking a full-strength swing at it. The batter may do this if they are trying to advance another base runner on the pitch.
Change-Ups, Cleanups and Counts
Change-up: this term refers to a slow pitch that is actually meant to look significantly faster than it is.
Cleanup: the fourth batter in the game’s specified batting order. Typically, the cleanup batter will be a so-called ‘power hitter’ to pack extra winning potential in towards the end of the round.
Count: the count is the number of balls and strikes belonging to any given batter. As an example, a 4/5 count would mean that there are four balls and five strikes on the batter.
Diamonds, Double Plays and Errors
Diamond: this refers to the four bases of the infield, which form a diamond-shaped pattern.
Double play: a defensive tactical play that leads to two outs.
Error: just like it sounds, this is an error in fielding the ball by the defence that allows the batter to reach the base, or the base runner to advance.
Fly Balls, Foul Balls, and Full Counts
Fly ball: a ‘flying’ ball that is hit very high into the air.
Foul ball: a ball that lands outside of the field of fair play.
Full count: this term refers to a pitch count that has three balls and two strikes. In this scenario, the next ball or strike will end the bat, unless the batter hits a foul, in which case the count will remain 3/2.
Ground Balls, Hit and Runs, and Hit for the Cycle
Ground ball: also called a ‘grounder’, this is a ball that is hit onto the ground.
Hit and run: a play where the base runner starts running when the pitch is released.
Hit for the cycle: a phrase used to describe when a player hits a single, a double, a triple, and a home run in a single game.
Lead Runners, Loaded Bases and On-Decks
Lead runner: the first base runner in the game when more than one is present on base.
Loaded bases: when a base runner appears at all three bases
On-deck: the next batter in line to bat.
Pitch Runners and Pitch Out
Pitch runner: this refers to a substitute base runner.
Pitch out: a pitch that the batter cannot hit.
Power hitter: a very strong batter capable of hitting the ball far for extra bases and home runs.
Relays, Relievers and Runners at the Corners
Relay: when a fielder throws the baseball to another, who will then throw it to yet another fielder.
Reliever: a replacement for the pitcher when he or she becomes tired.
Runners at the corners: base runners positioned at first and third.
Scoring Positions, Strike Zones and Walks
Scoring position: a base runner that is at second or third base.
Strike zone: the area above the home plate where strikes are achieved.
Walk: a term that described when the pitcher throws four balls to a batter, and the batter can get to first base automatically.
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