Baseball Slang Explained: Learn the Lingo!

As one of America’s oldest and most venerated past-times, baseball has accumulated a language all of its own over the years. In this article we are going to go through some of the terminology associated with this great game Some of these terms will be familiar to the most casual fans of the game, while some will be mysterious to anyone not deeply ingrained in the lore of the sport.

General Terms

Let’s start out nice and easy with some of the general terms you hear around the game. The lingo gets a little more ‘inside baseball’ as we move along, but I guess everyone with even a passing knowledge of the sport is familiar with dugouts and diamonds…

• Diamond: The infield, shaped like a diamond by the bases.
• Dugout: The bench area where the non-fielding team sits.
• Bullpen: The area where pitchers warm up before entering the game.
• On Deck: The next batter scheduled to hit.
• In the Hole: The batter scheduled to hit after the on-deck batter.
• Farm System: A team’s minor league affiliates.

Pitching Terms

The pitcher has center-stage on the baseball field, surveying all around from his elevated position on the mound. Now see how many of these pitching-related expressions you recognize:

• Ace: The best starting pitcher on the team.
• Closer: A pitcher who specializes in pitching the final inning to secure a win.
• Heat: A fastball thrown at high speed.
• Junk: Slow, off-speed pitches like curveballs and sliders.
• Beanball: A pitch thrown intentionally at a batter.
• Wild Pitch: A pitch so erratic the catcher can’t control it, allowing baserunners to advance.
• Eephus: A slow, high-arcing pitch meant to surprise the batter.
• Paint the Corners: Throwing strikes on the edges of the strike zone.
• Brushback: A pitch inside to move the batter off the plate.
• Hanger: A poorly thrown breaking ball that stays up in the strike zone.
• Punchout: A strikeout, especially when the batter doesn’t swing.
• Meatball: An easy-to-hit pitch, typically right down the middle.

Batting Terms

The pitcher may be the main man on the field, but the batters are the ones who put the scores on the board. Let’s delve into the vocabulary of the batters:

• Dinger: A home run.
• Grand Slam: A home run with the bases loaded, scoring four runs.
• Chopper: A ground ball that bounces high off the ground.
• Gapper: A ball hit into the gap between outfielders.
• Texas Leaguer: A softly hit ball that lands between infielders and outfielders.
• Frozen Rope: A hard-hit line drive.
• Dead Red: A batter waiting for a fastball.
• Batting Around: When every player in the lineup bats in a single inning.
• Yard: Hitting a home run.
• Opposite Field: Hitting the ball to the side opposite the batter’s natural stance.
• Tater: Another term for a home run.
• Hack: Taking an aggressive swing.
• Rake: A batter who consistently hits well.
• Wheelhouse: The area in a hitter’s swing path where they make solid contact.

Fielding Terms

Dealing with non-dingers is the job of the fielder, who has a multitude of roles to play during the game. Here are some of the terms we associate with the defensive side of the game:

• Web Gem: An exceptional defensive play.
• Baltimore Chop: A high-bouncing ground ball that’s difficult to field.
• Can of Corn: An easy fly ball catch.
• Hot Corner: Third base, known for hard-hit balls.
• Pickoff: A throw by the pitcher or catcher to get a baserunner out.
• Double Play: A defensive play that results in two outs.
• Boot: To misplay a ball, leading to an error.
• Snowcone: A catch where the ball sticks out of the glove’s webbing.
• Banana Route: A curved or inefficient path to a fly ball.
• Glove Flip: A quick transfer from the glove to the throwing hand, often used for double plays.

Base Running Terms

A less-heralded but no less important aspect of the game relates to running between the bases. Let’s see how baseball insiders talk about this part of the game:

• Caught Stealing: A runner thrown out attempting to steal a base.
• Rundown: When a baserunner is caught between two bases.
• Hit and Run: A play where the runner starts running before the batter swings.
• Caught Napping: A baserunner picked off unexpectedly.
• Going First to Third: Advancing from first to third base on a single.
• Table Setter: A player who gets on base to create scoring opportunities.

Game Strategy and Culture

Now for a big picture approach, where we step back and look at the strategy and culture around baseball.

• Small Ball: A strategy emphasizing bunting, stealing, and advancing runners.
• Green Light: Permission for a batter or baserunner to be aggressive.
• Rubber Match: The deciding game in a three-game series.
• Utility Player: A player who can play multiple positions.
• Five-Tool Player: A player skilled at hitting for average, hitting for power, running, fielding, and throwing.

Slang and Expressions

If you learn anything today, it’s that a batter wearing a ‘golden sombrero’ (or worse yet, a ‘platinum’ one) has not had a good day at the office! Here are some general baseball expressions to close out our glossary:

• Ribbie (or Rib): An RBI (Run Batted In).
• Golden Sombrero: Striking out four times in one game.
• Platinum Sombrero: Striking out five times in a game.
• Warning Track Power: A ball hit deep but caught near the wall.
• Tools of Ignorance: A humorous term for a catcher’s gear.
• Clubhouse Guy: A player known for boosting team morale.