ERA (Earned Run Average): A statistical measure representing the average number of earned runs a pitcher gives up per nine innings pitched.
Can of Corn: An easy fly ball that is caught by an outfielder without much effort.
Double Play (DP): A defensive play that results in two outs being recorded during a single continuous play.
Home Run (HR): A hit that allows the batter to circle all the bases and score a run, usually over the outfield fence.
Strikeout (K): When a batter receives three strikes during an at-bat, resulting in an out.
Batting Average (BA): A statistical measure representing the ratio of a batter’s hits to their total at-bats.
RBI (Runs Batted In): A statistic credited to a batter for each run scored as a result of their hit.
Walk (BB): When a pitcher throws four balls outside the strike zone, resulting in the batter being awarded first base.
Stolen Base (SB): When a baserunner successfully advances to the next base without the ball being hit.
Pitcher’s Duel: A game where both starting pitchers dominate, allowing few hits and runs.
Triple Play (TP): A rare defensive play that results in three outs being recorded during a single continuous play.
Ground Rule Double: A double awarded when a batted ball lands in fair territory and then bounces out of play.
Perfect Game: A game in which a pitcher pitches a complete game without allowing any opposing player to reach base.
Grand Slam: A home run hit when the bases are loaded, resulting in four runs scored.
Closer: A relief pitcher who specializes in pitching the final inning(s) of a close game.
Bullpen: The area in a baseball stadium where relief pitchers warm up before entering the game.
Cycle: When a batter hits a single, double, triple, and home run in the same game.
Sacrifice Fly (SF): When a batter hits a fly ball that allows a runner to score after the catch is made, sacrificing their own chance to reach base.
Designated Hitter (DH): A player who bats in place of the pitcher in the lineup.
Leadoff: The first batter in the batting order for a team in an inning.
On-Deck: The next batter due to hit after the current batter.
Pickoff: When a pitcher throws to a base in an attempt to tag out a baserunner who is leading off too far.
Infield Fly Rule: A rule that declares a fair fly ball hit with runners on first and second or first, second, and third bases, which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, an automatic out.
Hit-and-Run: A play in which the runner on base starts to run with the pitch, and the batter attempts to hit the ball into play.
Earned Run: A run scored without the aid of an error by the defensive team.
Unearned Run: A run scored due to an error by the defensive team.
Passed Ball: A pitch that the catcher should have been able to catch but didn’t, allowing a baserunner to advance.
Wild Pitch (WP): A pitch thrown by a pitcher that is so far from the catcher’s target that he cannot catch it, allowing baserunners to advance.
Triple: A hit that allows the batter to reach third base.
Strike Zone: The area over home plate between the batter’s armpits and the top of the knees when the batter assumes a natural stance.
No-Hitter: A game in which a pitcher or pitchers do not allow the opposing team to record a hit.
Complete Game: A game in which a starting pitcher pitches the entire game without being relieved by another pitcher.
Cutoff Man: An infielder positioned to receive throws from outfielders and redirect them to the appropriate base.
Balk: An illegal motion by a pitcher when one or more runners are on base, resulting in the advancement of the runners.
Changeup: A slow pitch designed to deceive the batter with a change in speed.
Curveball: A pitch that curves as it approaches the batter due to spin imparted by the pitcher.
Fastball: A pitch thrown at high velocity with minimal spin.
Slider: A breaking pitch that moves laterally and downward as it approaches the batter.
Bunt: A hitting technique in which the batter holds the bat in the path of the ball to softly hit it into play.
Tag Up: When a baserunner returns to their original base to tag up after a fly ball is caught before attempting to advance.
Hit by Pitch (HBP): When a pitcher hits a batter with a pitched ball, resulting in the batter being awarded first base.
Cycle: When a batter hits a single, double, triple, and home run in the same game.
Pickoff: When a pitcher throws to a base in an attempt to tag out a baserunner who is leading off too far.
Rundown: A defensive play in which fielders quickly exchange the ball to tag out a baserunner caught between bases.
Ejection: The removal of a player, coach, or manager from the game by the umpire for violating the rules or displaying unsportsmanlike conduct.
Line Drive: A sharply hit ball that travels in a straight line between the infield and outfield.
Fielder’s Choice: When a fielder chooses to get an out at a base other than first base, allowing the batter to reach base safely.
Tag: When a fielder touches a baserunner with the ball while the baserunner is not touching a base, resulting in an out.
Web Gem: An outstanding defensive play, typically involving a diving catch or an exceptional throw.
Balk: An illegal motion by the pitcher with runners on base, resulting in advancing the baserunners.
Relief Pitcher: A pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher to replace them and pitch for a shorter duration.
Setup Man: A relief pitcher who enters the game in the late innings to prepare for the closer, often pitching the eighth inning.
Middle Relief: Relief pitchers who enter the game after the starting pitcher and before the setup man or closer, typically pitching in the middle innings.
Long Relief: Relief pitchers who are called upon to pitch multiple innings in a single appearance to provide rest for the bullpen.
Closer: A relief pitcher who specializes in pitching the final inning(s) of a close game to secure the win for their team.
Blown Save: When a relief pitcher enters the game with a lead and fails to maintain it, resulting in the opposing team tying the game or taking the lead.
Hold: A statistic credited to a relief pitcher who enters the game in a save situation and maintains the lead until the closer enters the game.
Quality Start: A statistic credited to a starting pitcher who completes at least six innings while allowing three or fewer earned runs.
Complete Game: A game in which a starting pitcher pitches the entire game without being relieved by another pitcher.
Shutout: A game in which a team prevents the opposing team from scoring any runs.
No-Hitter: A game in which a pitcher or pitchers do not allow the opposing team to record a hit.
Perfect Game: A game in which a pitcher pitches a complete game without allowing any opposing player to reach base.
Cycle: When a batter hits a single, double, triple, and home run in the same game.
Leadoff: The first batter in the batting order for a team in an inning.
Cleanup Hitter: The fourth batter in the batting order, typically a power hitter responsible for driving in runs.
Designated Hitter (DH): A player who bats in place of the pitcher in the lineup.
Pinch Hitter: A substitute batter who is brought into the game to bat in place of another batter.
Pinch Runner: A substitute baserunner who is brought into the game to replace another baserunner.
Lead Runner: The baserunner closest to home plate when there are multiple baserunners on base.
Trail Runner: A baserunner who follows the lead runner on the basepaths.
Rally: A series of offensive plays that result in multiple runs being scored in a single inning.
Walk-Off: A game-ending play, usually a hit, that results in the home team winning the game.
Extra Innings: Additional innings played beyond the regulation nine innings when the game is tied at the end of the ninth inning.
6-4-3 Double Play: A common double play in baseball, where the shortstop (6) fields the ball, throws it to the second baseman (4), who then relays it to the first baseman (3) to retire two baserunners. This sequence is often seen when a ground ball is hit to the shortstop, who then flips it to the second baseman covering second base, who in turn throws to the first baseman to complete the double play.
Rain Delay: A suspension of play due to inclement weather, typically until the weather conditions improve.
Doubleheader: Two games played between the same two teams on the same day.
Tripleheader: Three games played between the same two teams on the same day, a rare occurrence in professional baseball.
Interleague Play: Regular-season games played between teams from different leagues (e.g., American League vs. National League).
All-Star Game: An exhibition game held annually between the best players from each league.
World Series: The championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the champions of the American League and National League.
Spring Training: Pre-season practice and exhibition games held by Major League Baseball teams to prepare for the regular season.
Trade Deadline: The last day on which teams can trade players without passing them through waivers.
Waivers: The process by which a team can release a player from its roster, allowing other teams to claim them.
Disabled List (DL): A list of injured players who are temporarily ineligible to play.
Designated for Assignment (DFA): The process by which a team removes a player from its roster to make room for another player.
Free Agency: The status of a player who is not under contract with any team and is free to sign with any team.
Salary Arbitration: A process by which a player and their team negotiate a contract if they are unable to reach an agreement on their own.
Rule 5 Draft: A draft held annually to allow teams to select players who are not protected on their current team’s 40-man roster.
Trade Rumors: Speculation and reports about potential player trades between teams.
Scouting Report: A detailed analysis of a player’s strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies used by teams to prepare for games.
Farm System: The network of minor league teams affiliated with a Major League Baseball team, where young players develop their skills before reaching the majors.
Call-Up: When a player is promoted from the minor leagues to the major leagues.
Option: The right of a team to assign a player to the minor leagues without exposing them to waivers.
Rulebook: The official set of rules governing the game of baseball, published by Major League Baseball.
Umpire: The official responsible for enforcing the rules of baseball during a game.
Home Plate Umpire: The umpire stationed behind home plate who calls balls and strikes.
First Base Umpire: The umpire stationed near first base who calls plays at first base.
Second Base Umpire: The umpire stationed near second base who calls plays at second base.
Third Base Umpire: The umpire stationed near third base who calls plays at third base.
Infield Fly Rule: A rule that declares a fair fly ball hit with runners on first and second or first, second, and third bases, which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, an automatic out.
Ejection: The removal of a player, coach, or manager from the game by the umpire for violating the rules or displaying unsportsmanlike conduct.
