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Baseball Glossary
Learn the language of Baseball — answer-first definitions with real examples, beginner to pro.
85 terms
- Sacrifice BuntBeginnerA sacrifice bunt trades the batter's own out to advance a runner into scoring position. It is a situational strategy, not an attempt to reach base safely.
- Sacrifice FlyBeginnerA sacrifice fly is a fly ball out, hit deep enough to the outfield. It allows a runner on third base to tag up and score after the catch. It does not count as an official at-bat and does not hurt the hitter's batting average.
- SlideBeginnerA slide is the controlled fall a baserunner uses to reach a base beneath a tag, to kill momentum at the bag, or to avoid a collision with the fielder covering it.
- Slugging PercentageBeginnerSlugging percentage is total bases divided by at-bats. A single counts one base, a double two, a triple three and a home run four. It measures how much damage a hitter does per at-bat. Walks and hit-by-pitches are not counted.
- Soft TossBeginnerSoft toss is a hitting drill where a partner kneels off to the side, a little ahead of the hitter, and flips the ball underhand into the hitting zone. The hitter drives it into a net. It adds a moving ball without real pitch speed. The partner must stay clear of the bat and the ball's path.
- Squish the Bug (Back-Foot Action)Beginner'Squish the bug' is an old youth cue to pivot the back foot as if grinding out a bug. Many coaches now call it a myth when taken literally, since spinning in place can keep weight stuck on the back leg. A better aim is to push off the back side so the heel rises and the hips turn toward the pitcher.
- Stepping in the BucketBeginnerStepping in the bucket means the front foot strides away from the plate instead of toward the pitcher. For a right-handed hitter it steps toward third base, and for a lefty toward first. It opens the front shoulder and hips early and leaves outside pitches out of reach. Fix it by striding toward the pitcher and dealing with any fear of the ball behind it.
- Stride (Batting)BeginnerThe stride is the small forward step or toe-tap the hitter takes to trigger timing. It is a timing mechanism, not a source of power, and must be soft and directional.
- Strike ZoneBeginnerThe strike zone is the three-dimensional region over home plate where a pitch must pass to be called a strike. Under MLB rules it runs from just below the kneecap up to the midpoint between the batter's shoulders and the top of the uniform pants.
- Tag UpBeginnerTagging up means a baserunner returns to and touches their current base as a fly ball is caught, then takes off toward the next base — the legal method of advancing on a caught fly.
- Taking Pitches (Take Sign)BeginnerTake a pitch when it is outside your zone, when it is not the pitch you are looking for early in the count, or when your coach gives the take sign. Taking good pitches early can work the count in your favor. With two strikes, widen your zone and protect the plate instead.
- Tee-Ball HittingBeginnerTee-ball hitting is about simple basics and fun. Set the tee about belt high and a little in front of the child's front hip. Stand the child far enough away that the barrel reaches the ball, and teach a balanced stance and a hard, level swing. Keep sessions short and praise effort and contact over form.
- Texas Leaguer (Bloop Hit) and Other Hitting SlangBeginnerA Texas Leaguer is a soft, looping fly ball that drops in for a hit between the infielders and the outfielders. It is also called a bloop or a blooper. It counts as a hit just like a line drive. Two other common terms: a walk-off ends the game, and a frozen rope is a hard line drive.
- Throwing MechanicsBeginnerThrowing mechanics are the sequence of arm and body movements that deliver the ball accurately and with arm-safe velocity. They apply at every position.
- Thrown Bat RulesBeginnerNo, throwing the bat is not automatically an out under MLB rules. It becomes an out when the thrown bat interferes with a fielder trying to make a play, whether it was on purpose or not. A batter is also out if his thrown bat hits the catcher while he is catching a third strike, or a pitch with runners on base.
- Toe Tap Timing TriggerBeginnerA toe tap is a small lift and set of the front foot, used as a timing trigger instead of a stride. It gives a repeatable rhythm cue with a smaller moving part.
- Too Passive at the PlateBeginnerA passive hitter takes too many hittable strikes and often watches strike three. Common causes are fear of striking out, no clear plan, late timing and waiting for a perfect pitch. Many coaches fix it with a simple plan, such as swinging at the first good fastball, and by praising aggressive swings more than results.
- Tracking the Ball (Seeing It Better)BeginnerTracking the ball means picking it up early from the pitcher's hand and keeping a still head so the eyes can read it. Eye studies show batters cannot follow the ball smoothly all the way to the bat. Good hitters read it early and predict where it will cross. A quiet head, a soft focus on the release area and both eyes on the pitcher help most.
- Travel BallBeginnerTravel ball is club youth baseball played outside local rec and school leagues. It usually means multi-city tournaments and higher-level, more selective play.
- Turn TwoBeginner"Turn two" is slang for completing a double play, two outs on one batted ball. Most often, a grounder is fed to a middle infielder who pivots and relays to first.
- Two-Strike Choke UpBeginnerChoking up with two strikes means sliding the hands up the handle from the knob. The shorter lever gives quicker, more controlled swings but costs some power.
- Two-Way PlayerBeginnerA two-way player both pitches and plays a position (or hits regularly) at a competitive level instead of specializing in one role.
- USA Baseball Bat (USABat)BeginnerA USA Baseball bat (USABat) carries the USA Baseball certification mark and is tested to a wood-like performance standard. Little League requires it for non-wood bats in its Minor League and Majors divisions. Other youth leagues such as Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken, PONY and AABC use it too. The standard has no drop-weight limit.
- USSSA Bat (1.15 BPF)BeginnerA USSSA bat carries USSSA's 1.15 BPF certification mark on the taper. It is made for USSSA travel-ball baseball and is tested to a different standard from USA Baseball and BBCOR bats. USSSA bats are banned in Little League, and a USSSA-only bat is not legal in high school play.
- Windup vs. StretchBeginnerThe windup and the stretch are the two legal pitching positions. The windup is mainly for empty bases and power; the shorter, quicker stretch helps hold runners.
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