Baseball Glossary
Learn the language of Baseball — answer-first definitions with real examples, beginner to pro.
161 terms
- Age vs Level (Scouting)IntermediateAge vs level is the practice of evaluating a player's performance relative to how old they are compared to the competition they are facing, since being young for a level is generally a positive sign and being old for a level tempers otherwise strong numbers.
- Ahead vs Behind in the CountBeginnerMore balls than strikes is a hitter's count; more strikes than balls is a pitcher's count. Which side holds the edge reshapes how both of them play the rest of the at-bat.
- Arm AngleIntermediateArm angle is the vertical orientation of the throwing arm at release. This comes from over-the-top through three-quarter, sidearm, to submarine. This means and it shapes both the pitch plane and movement profile.
- Arm Care RoutineBeginnerAn arm care routine is a set of general warmup, mobility, and strengthening exercises a throwing athlete performs regularly. This means typically before and after throwing. This means as part of a general, ongoing throwing-health practice.
- Arm Slot (Fielding)IntermediateA fielder's arm slot is the arm angle at release when throwing. This means the natural slot that produces the most accurate and arm-safe throw for that player's anatomy.
- Attack Angle (Batting)AdvancedAttack angle in batting is the vertical angle of the bat path through the hitting zone. A slightly upward attack angle (+5° to +15°) matches the pitch plane for hard contact.
- Backdoor Breaking BallAdvancedA backdoor breaking ball starts outside the strike zone, away from an opposite-handed batter, and breaks back over the outside corner for a called strike, appearing to be a ball until the last instant.
- Backhand FieldIntermediateFielding a ground ball backhand means catching it with the back of the glove hand turned toward the ball. This involves reaching across the body rather than squaring up in front of it.
- Backspin (Batting)IntermediateBackspin in batting is the rotation imparted on a batted ball when contact is made slightly below its center. This means the same Magnus effect that keeps a well-struck fly ball or line drive carrying rather than diving.
- BalkIntermediateA balk is an illegal or deceptive motion by the pitcher. At the same time, runners are on base, immediately awarding every runner one base without a pitch needing to be thrown.
- Ball TransferIntermediateBall transfer is the exchange of the ball from the glove to the throwing hand. This means speed and consistency here is one of the biggest separators in infield and catcher efficiency.
- BarrelAdvancedA barrel is a batted ball combining high exit velocity with an optimal launch angle at the same time. This means the exact combination most likely to produce extra-base hits.
- Barrel AccuracyAdvancedBarrel accuracy is how reliably a hitter makes contact on the sweet spot of the bat rather than the handle or end cap. This means a coaching-level read on contact-point precision, distinct from the formal "barrel" batted-ball classification.
- Barrel PathIntermediateBarrel path is the trajectory the barrel of the bat travels through the hitting zone. This means matching it to the pitch plane for as long as possible maximises the chance of hard contact.
- Baseball IQIntermediateBaseball IQ is a player's situational awareness and decision-making. This means knowing where to throw the ball, when to take an extra base, how to position defensively, and what the game situation calls for, separate from raw physical tools.
- Baserunning ReadIntermediateA baserunning read is the split-second decision a runner makes based on what the ball does after contact — whether to advance, hold, or retreat.
- Bat DragIntermediateBat drag is a sequencing fault where the hands fire toward the ball well ahead of the barrel. This leaves the barrel trailing behind and forcing it to catch up late. This means costing bat speed and forcing contact deep and off the sweet spot.
- Bat PathBeginnerBat path is the three-dimensional route the barrel travels from load to finish. This means its shape through the hitting zone, more than raw bat speed, decides whether contact is hard or weak.
- Bat SpeedIntermediateBat speed is how fast the barrel is moving at contact, in mph. It contributes to exit velocity alongside bat path and where on the barrel you make contact.
- Bat-to-Ball SkillBeginnerBat-to-ball skill is a hitter's ability to make solid contact reliably. This means tracking the pitch, timing the swing, and getting the barrel to the ball. This means independent of how hard the ball is hit once contact is made.
- Blocking a Pitch (Catching)IntermediateBlocking is a catcher's technique for smothering a pitch in the dirt with the body and chest protector. Instead of trying to catch it with the glove, to keep the ball in front and prevent a passed ball.
- Bullpen SessionBeginnerA bullpen session is a practice throwing session, typically off a mound. In which a pitcher works through their pitch mix at game-like intent without live hitters or the pressure of a real game situation.
- Bunt TechniqueBeginnerBunt technique is the fundamental skill of deadening the ball off the bat by absorbing its speed rather than swinging. This means using soft hands, a squared or angled stance. The bat as a cushion instead of a weapon.
- Called Strike RateAdvancedCalled strike rate is the percentage of pitches in the strike zone that a hitter takes for a strike rather than swinging at. This means the mirror image of chase rate, measuring missed opportunity rather than bad swings.
- Called-Strike-Plus-Whiff Rate (CSW%)AdvancedCSW% is a pitching metric that combines called strikes and swinging strikes (whiffs) as a share of total pitches thrown, measuring how often a pitcher generates a strike without the ball being put in play.
- Carry (Throw)IntermediateCarry describes how well a throw holds its velocity and straight-line trajectory through the air without tailing, sinking, or losing steam. This means a throw that "carries" arrives true to the target.
- Casting (Batting)IntermediateCasting is a swing fault where the hands and barrel swing out away from the body in a wide arc instead of taking a direct path to the ball. This means it kills bat speed and limits coverage of the inside pitch.
- Catcher's Setup TargetBeginnerA catcher's setup target is the glove position and location presented before the pitch to give the pitcher a clear, steady aiming point and communicate the intended location.
- Ceiling vs Floor (Scouting)IntermediateCeiling is a player's realistic best-case outcome if everything develops well. Floor is the realistic worst-case outcome if development stalls. This means scouts weigh both together, not just the exciting one.
- Changeup (Pitching)IntermediateThe changeup is an off-speed pitch thrown with fastball arm speed but held deeper in the hand to reduce velocity by 8–15 mph, disrupting timing.
- Charging a Ground BallBeginnerCharging a ground ball means running toward a slowly hit ball rather than waiting for it to arrive. This involves shortening the throw and taking away a bunt or slow roller before it becomes a hit.
- Chase ContactAdvancedChase contact rate is the percentage of swings at pitches outside the strike zone that result in contact, measuring how well a hitter defends the plate even when they have made the decision to swing at a bad pitch.
- Chase RateIntermediateChase rate is the percentage of pitches thrown outside the strike zone that a hitter swings at. This means a core plate-discipline metric where lower is almost always better.
- Check SwingIntermediateA check swing is a hitter starting the swing motion and then stopping the bat before it crosses the plane of contact, most often to hold off on a pitch recognized late as a ball. This means its legality by the rulebook comes down to whether the bat and wrists broke toward the ball.
- Circle Changeup GripIntermediateThe circle changeup grip forms a circle with the thumb and index finger against the side of the ball, letting the remaining three fingers do the work. This means a grip designed to reduce velocity without changing arm speed.
- Coachability (Intangibles)BeginnerCoachability is a player's willingness and ability to receive feedback, apply it without defensiveness, and adjust behavior or mechanics based on instruction. This means one of the "intangible" traits scouts and coaches weigh alongside physical tools.
- Collapsing Back SideAdvancedCollapsing the back side is a fault where the back knee and hip drop and buckle inward during the swing rather than staying stacked over the back foot, robbing the swing of ground force and forcing the arms to finish the job alone.
- Command vs. ControlIntermediateControl means throwing enough strikes to avoid walks; command means locating a pitch to a precise spot within the zone. A pitcher can have one without the other.
- Contact Point (Batting)IntermediateContact point is where in space, relative to the hitter's body and the plate, the bat meets the ball. This means it shifts predictably by pitch location. A contact point that doesn't shift with location is a common source of weak contact.
- Crow Hop (Throwing)BeginnerA crow hop is a small skip-step a fielder uses after fielding a ball. This means replanting the back foot and shuffling toward the target. This means to gather momentum and align the body before a long or off-balance throw.
- CurveballIntermediateThe curveball is an off-speed breaking pitch with topspin that makes it arc downward, often sharply, as it crosses the plate.
- Cut FastballAdvancedThe cutter is a fastball with late glove-side movement — harder than a slider, smaller break than a slider — that jams or cuts away from hitters.
- Cutoff ManBeginnerThe cutoff man is the infielder who sets up in a direct line between an outfielder and the base under threat, ready to intercept the ball and redirect it if the original target is no longer the best play.
- Defensive RangeIntermediateDefensive range is how much ground a fielder can cover and convert into outs — a combination of first step, speed, reads, and athleticism.
- Diving Catch TechniqueAdvancedDiving catch technique is the mechanics of extending the body fully. This is parallel to the ground and glove-first, to catch a ball just beyond a fielder's normal running range. This means a last-resort option, not a first choice.
- Double Play PivotIntermediateThe double play pivot is the footwork a middle infielder uses at second base to receive a throw, redirect toward first base, and release a throw quickly. This means all. At the same time, avoiding contact with a sliding baserunner.
- Down-and-In Swing PathIntermediateA down-and-in swing path is a barrel that descends and cuts across toward the hitter's body through the zone, instead of staying on the pitch's plane. This means producing weak pull-side grounders and easy outs on the top hand.
- Drag BuntAdvancedA drag bunt is a bunt initiated. At the same time, already moving toward first base. This means typically by a left-handed hitter using their momentum out of the box. This means designed to beat out a hit rather than sacrifice an out.
- Drop Step (Outfield)IntermediateA drop step is an outfielder's first movement on a ball hit over their head or into a gap. This means a quick pivot of the back foot that opens the hips and puts the fielder on the most direct running angle, rather than a false first step forward.
- Dropping the Back ShoulderIntermediateDropping the back shoulder is a fault where the rear shoulder tilts down toward the ground during the swing, steepening the bat path and often the root mechanical cause behind an uppercut and pop-ups.
- Eephus PitchAdvancedThe eephus is a very slow, high-arcing pitch thrown with minimal arm speed. This means often 30-40 mph slower than a fastball. This means designed purely to disrupt a hitter's timing with an extreme change of pace.
- Effective VelocityAdvancedEffective velocity is the idea that a pitch's perceived speed to a hitter depends on its location. This means inside pitches feel faster, outside and low pitches feel slower. This means not just its radar-gun reading.
- Exit Velocity (EV)IntermediateExit velocity is how fast the ball comes off the bat, in mph. It is a ceiling metric — the harder you hit it, the farther it can go.
- Extension at ContactIntermediateExtension means the arms extend through and just beyond contact rather than collapsing into the body. This means at contact itself the rear arm usually keeps some bend, especially on inside pitches, with extension completing just after impact.
- Fielding FootworkBeginnerFielding footwork is how a player positions and moves their feet to field a ball cleanly and immediately set up a strong, accurate throw.
- Fielding Position (Ready Stance)BeginnerThe fielding position is the pre-pitch stance a fielder holds to be ready to move right away in any direction. This means knees bent, weight forward, feet shoulder-width, on the balls of the feet.
- First StepIntermediateFirst step is how quickly a fielder initiates movement toward a batted ball — often the largest separator between good and great defenders.
- First-Pitch Swing RateIntermediateFirst-pitch swing rate is the percentage of plate appearances in which a hitter swings at the very first pitch (the 0-0 count), used as a simple measure of a hitter's early-count aggressiveness.
- First-Step QuicknessIntermediateFirst-step quickness is how fast a fielder's first movement reacts to a batted ball off the bat. This means widely considered the single biggest determinant of defensive range, more important than straight-line sprint speed.
- Five-Tool PlayerIntermediateA five-tool player is a position player rated above-average or better in all five core scouting skills. This means hitting for average, hitting for power, running speed, arm strength, and fielding ability.
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