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Baseball Glossary
Learn the language of Baseball — answer-first definitions with real examples, beginner to pro.
85 terms
- 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 Care RoutineBeginnerAn arm care routine is a regular set of general warmup, mobility, and strengthening exercises for throwers. It is usually done before and after throwing.
- Barrel Diameter (Big Barrel Bats)Beginner"Big barrel" describes a bat with a barrel 2⅝ or 2¾ inches across. USSSA's bat rules group those as big barrel bats, apart from small barrel bats of 2¼ inches or less. Little League caps non-wood bats at 2⅝ inches in its main divisions. MLB wood bats can be no more than 2.61 inches thick.
- Bat DropBeginnerA bat's drop is its length in inches minus its weight in ounces. A 30-inch bat that weighs 20 ounces is a drop 10, written -10, and the bigger the number. The lighter the bat is for its length. Easton's guide says players under 11 usually use a -10 or lighter and older players can often move to a -8 or -5. High school and college non-wood bats meet the BBCOR standard, which means a -3.
- Bat PathBeginnerBat path is the 3D route the barrel travels from load to finish. Its shape through the zone, more than raw bat speed, decides hard or weak contact.
- Bat Size by AgeBeginnerEaston's age chart, a common starting point, suggests 24–26 inch bats for ages 5–7, 26–28 for 8–9, 28–29 for age 10 and 30–31 for 11–12. For older players it suggests 31–32 inches at 13–14, 32–33 at 15–16 and 34 at 17 and up. Then fine-tune by fit: pick a bat the player can swing fast and control, with the certification stamp your league requires.
- Bat StingBeginnerBat sting is the painful buzz you feel when the ball meets the bat away from its sweet spot. The impact makes the bat vibrate, and the vibration runs down the handle into your hands. Contact off the end of the barrel tends to buzz the bottom hand, while contact toward the thin part of the bat stings the top hand between the thumb and index finger. Squarer contact is the real fix; batting gloves and bats built to damp vibration soften it.
- Bat-to-Ball SkillBeginnerBat-to-ball skill is the ability to make solid contact reliably. It covers tracking, timing, and getting the barrel to the ball, not how hard the ball is hit.
- Batter's Box RuleBeginnerA batter who hits the ball, fair or foul, with a foot on the ground entirely outside the batter's box is out. That is MLB Rule 6.03(a)(1) and NFHS Rule 7-3-2. The chalk lines belong to the box. A foot touching a line is legal. High school rules also call a batter out for making contact with a foot on home plate.
- Batting AverageBeginnerBatting average is hits divided by official at-bats. Walks, hit-by-pitches, sacrifices and catcher's interference do not count as at-bats. A .300 average has long been seen as a strong mark in pro baseball. What counts as good in youth or high school ball depends a lot on the league and the pitching.
- Batting Grip (How to Hold a Bat)BeginnerHold the bat in your fingers, not deep in your palms, with your hands touching and the bottom hand just above the knob. Many coaches line up the door-knocking knuckles of both hands, or set them a little toward the big knuckles. Keep the grip firm but relaxed so the wrists and forearms stay quick.
- Batting Helmet (NOCSAE, C-Flap)BeginnerA batting helmet must meet the NOCSAE standard for batter's headgear and carry the NOCSAE stamp. High school rules require one with ear flaps on both sides for batters, on-deck batters and runners. A C-flap or face guard adds jaw and face protection. NFHS rules allow one but do not require it. A good fit is snug with no wobble.
- Batting Order Roles (Leadoff, Cleanup)BeginnerA good leadoff hitter gets on base often, sees a lot of pitches and can run. The top of the order is usually the best on-base hitters. The middle, including the cleanup spot in fourth, holds the best power hitters. The bottom has the weaker bats. Some coaches bat their best hitter second because top spots come up most often.
- Batting StanceBeginnerA good batting stance is balanced and relaxed. Set your feet a little wider than your shoulders, bend your knees slightly and keep your weight on the balls of your feet. Hold your hands near the back shoulder with both eyes level on the pitcher. Square, open and closed setups all work if you land balanced and on time.
- Batting Tee Work (Tee Placement)BeginnerTee work is hitting a ball off a stationary batting tee to groove the swing. Place the tee where you want contact. For a middle pitch, that is usually a little in front of the front hip. Move it deeper for an outside pitch and farther out front for an inside pitch, and set the height to the part of the zone you are working on.
- BBCOR BatBeginnerBBCOR (Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution) is the performance standard that high school and college baseball require for non-wood bats. A legal bat carries a permanent 'BBCOR .50' mark and performs close to wood. Under NFHS high school rules it can weigh no more than 3 ounces less than its length (a drop -3). Its barrel can be no wider than 2 5/8 inches.
- Bullpen SessionBeginnerA bullpen session is a pitcher's practice throwing, usually off a mound, working the pitch mix at game-like intent. There are no live hitters or game pressure.
- Bunt TechniqueBeginnerBunt technique is deadening the ball by absorbing its speed instead of swinging. It uses soft hands, a squared or angled stance, and the bat as a cushion.
- Catcher's Setup TargetBeginnerA catcher's setup target is the glove spot shown before the pitch. It gives the pitcher a clear, steady point to aim at and signals the intended location.
- Charging a Ground BallBeginnerCharging a ground ball means running at a slowly hit ball instead of waiting. It shortens the throw and keeps a bunt or slow roller from becoming a hit.
- Coach-Pitch and Machine-Pitch HittingBeginnerIn coach pitch, an adult throws easy pitches from a short distance so young hitters can learn timing. In machine pitch, a machine throws at a steady speed. To help a child, practice with gentle tosses from the same distance. Teach them to start the swing as the ball is released and to swing at good pitches only.
- Coachability (Intangibles)BeginnerCoachability is taking feedback without defensiveness and adjusting based on it. Scouts and coaches weigh this "intangible" alongside physical tools.
- Composite vs. Alloy BatsBeginnerComposite and alloy (aluminum) bats with the same USA Baseball or BBCOR stamp are tested to the same wood-like performance limit. As a result, neither material lets you hit the ball farther by rule. The real differences are feel, sound and care. Composites damp vibration more, so mis-hits often sting less. Many of them also perform a bit better after a break-in period. Hybrids join a composite handle to a metal barrel.
- Confidence at the PlateBeginnerConfidence at the plate comes from preparation and things you control, not from your last few hits. If you have lost confidence, use a short routine before each pitch and set goals you control, like swinging at strikes. After a strikeout, take a breath, name one thing to adjust and let the rest go.
- Crow Hop (Throwing)BeginnerA crow hop is a small skip-step a fielder uses after fielding a ball to gather momentum and line up the body. It comes before a long or off-balance throw.
- 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.
- Dropped Third StrikeBeginnerOn a dropped third strike, the batter may run to first if the catcher does not catch strike three before it touches the ground. It applies only when first base is empty or there are two outs. To get the out, the catcher usually tags the batter or throws to first.
- Falling Off After the SwingBeginnerFalling off to the side after you swing usually means your body is spinning away from the ball instead of turning against a firm front side. Common causes are pulling your head out, opening the front shoulder early or letting the back foot spin out. Aim to finish balanced, able to hold your finish for a moment.
- Fear of the Ball (Hitting)BeginnerFear of the ball is normal, especially after a hitter has been hit by a pitch. Rebuild trust in steps with softer balls and slower speeds. Teach the hitter to turn away from an inside pitch by tucking the chin and turning the front shoulder in toward the catcher. Add speed only as the hitter stays in comfortably.
- Fielding FootworkBeginnerFielding footwork is how a player positions and moves their feet to field a ball cleanly. Good footwork also sets up a strong, accurate throw right away.
- Fielding Position (Ready Stance)BeginnerThe fielding position is a pre-pitch stance for moving quickly in any direction. Knees are bent, feet shoulder-width, and weight on the balls of the feet.
- Foul Bunt With Two StrikesBeginnerWith two strikes, a bunt attempt that goes foul counts as the third strike, and the batter is out. MLB Rule 5.09(a)(4) and NFHS Rule 7-4-1e both say so. A full swing fouled off in that count does not end the at-bat. Only the attempt to tap the ball carries this penalty.
- Foul TipBeginnerA foul tip is a batted ball that goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher and is legally caught. It counts as a strike, and the ball stays live. With two strikes, it is strike three and the batter is out. If the catcher does not hold on, it is an ordinary foul ball.
- Fouling It Straight BackBeginnerFouling a pitch straight back means your timing was close but your bat was just under or over the ball. The ball flies back toward the backstop because the swing met it nearly on time. Coaches often call it "just missed it." If it keeps happening, check whether your bat path matches the height of the pitch.
- Four-Seam FastballBeginnerThe four-seam fastball is the most common pitch in baseball — gripped across all four seams — and is usually the hardest, straightest pitch a pitcher throws.
- Four-Seam Grip (Throwing)BeginnerA four-seam grip means holding the ball across four seams before a throw, not however it lies in the glove. It gives a straight, true throw with maximum carry.
- Front Foot LandingBeginnerFront foot landing is when the stride foot plants to anchor hip rotation. Its timing to pitch release is the biggest factor in being on time, late, or rushed.
- Front TossBeginnerFront toss is a hitting drill where a coach sits or kneels behind a protective L-screen in front of the hitter and feeds the ball underhand toward the plate. The ball comes from the pitcher's direction. That makes it better than side flips for training timing. The feeder must stay behind the net.
- High-Hands SetupBeginnerHigh hands in the stance or load position means the hands are set above the back shoulder. A launch position that gives the barrel a longer, downward-into-the-zone path to the ball.
- Hit by Pitch RuleBeginnerA batter touched by a pitch he is not swinging at gets first base, with exceptions. Under MLB Rule 5.05(b)(2), there is no base award if the ball was in the strike zone or the batter made no attempt to avoid it. NFHS high school rules award the base unless the batter lets the ball hit him. If the batter swings, it is a strike.
- Hitting in Cold WeatherBeginnerIn cold air, even a well-hit ball carries a few feet less. A cold ball is also harder, which is rough on non-wood bats. Take a longer warm-up, keep your hands and body warm between at-bats, and look to drive hard line drives rather than lift the ball. Bat makers such as Rawlings warn against using their bats below about 60°F (15°C).
- Hitting Practice at HomeBeginnerYou can build a good swing at home with a tee, a net and someone to toss. Hit off a tee into a net to groove your path, add soft toss to work on timing, and use plastic or limited-flight balls if you have no net. Keep each session short and focused on one goal, and stop when your swings get tired.
- Infield Fly RuleBeginnerAn infield fly is a fair fly ball, not a line drive or bunt, that an infielder can catch with ordinary effort. It applies only with fewer than two outs and runners on first and second, or the bases loaded. The umpire calls it, and if the ball stays fair the batter is out whether or not it is caught. Runners may advance at their own risk.
- Innings Limit (Youth)BeginnerAn innings limit is a cap on the total number of innings a young pitcher is permitted or recommended to throw. The cap covers a season or year. It is intended to manage cumulative throwing workload beyond any single game's pitch count.
- Lead Off BaseBeginnerA lead off base is the distance a baserunner takes from the bag before the pitch — maximising lead distance reduces the distance to the next base while managing pickoff risk.
- LoadBeginnerThe load is the small backward gathering of the hands and weight just before the swing starts. It coils the body to store energy that fires into the ball.
- Lunging (Batting)BeginnerLunging is a timing fault where a hitter commits weight and stride forward too early. It drains rotational power before the swing even begins.
- Mandatory Play and Continuous Batting Order (Little League)BeginnerYes. In the Little League regular season, every rostered player present when the game starts must bat at least once. Each must also play at least six defensive outs in the field. In tournament play below the Senior divisions, teams use a continuous batting order, so every player present on the team affidavit bats in turn.
- On-Deck and At-Bat RoutineBeginnerAn on-deck and at-bat routine is a short, repeatable set of steps that gets a hitter ready to swing. On deck, many hitters time the pitcher, take a few loose swings and set a plan for the count. In the box, a breath, a look at the coach and a set stance reset focus before every pitch.
- Overswinging (Swinging Too Hard)BeginnerOverswinging is swinging so hard that body control breaks down. The head pulls off the ball, the front shoulder flies open and the swing gets long. Misses and weak contact follow. Many hitters do better swinging hard under control, and saving their biggest swings for pitches they are sitting on.
- Pitch Count LimitBeginnerA pitch count limit is a maximum number of pitches a player is allowed to throw in a single game or appearance. It is set by league rules based on age, and usually paired with required rest days before pitching again.
- Pitch VelocityBeginnerPitch velocity is the speed of the ball at release, measured in miles per hour — the most commonly cited indicator of pitching power and arm strength.
- Pitching Machine PracticeBeginnerA pitching machine lets a hitter see many pitches at a set velocity and location. Reaction time depends on both velocity and distance. Moving the unit closer makes a slower pitch play faster. Start at a setting you can square up, then add challenge with more velocity, less distance or mixed pitches.
- Pop-Up (Batting)BeginnerA pop-up is a batted ball with extreme backspin and a very steep launch angle (above 50°). It goes nearly straight up and is almost always caught for an out.
- Pre-Pitch Rhythm (Bat Waggle)BeginnerYes, a little movement before the pitch helps most hitters. A small bat waggle, a gentle rock or a soft hand pump keeps your body loose. It is easier to start a swing from motion than from a dead stop. Keep the movement small and make sure it flows into your load on time.
- Pregame Hitting Warm-UpBeginnerWarm up to hit in stages. Start with light jogging and dynamic moves for the hips, trunk and shoulders. Then take easy dry swings that build to full speed. Finish with tee or toss swings, and some timing work against a pitcher or machine if you can. Aim to take your first at-bat already loose and on time.
- Pulling the Ball FoulBeginnerHitting the ball hard but foul to the pull side usually means contact is too far out in front. The swing starts early, the front shoulder opens too soon, or the hitter is trying to pull an outside pitch. Let the ball travel a little deeper, keep the front side closed longer and aim for the middle of the field.
- Quality At-BatBeginnerA quality at-bat is judged by process and competitiveness, not just outcome. A long count, a hard-hit ball, a walk, or moving a runner can count without a hit.
- RBI OpportunityBeginnerAn RBI (run batted in) opportunity is a plate appearance with a runner in scoring position (second or third base). The hitter has a real chance to drive in a run.
- Running Through First BaseBeginnerOn a ground ball, run hard through first base instead of slowing down or sliding. Touch the front of the bag and keep sprinting a few steps past it. The rules let a batter-runner overrun first and come back without being tagged out, as long as he returns right away and makes no attempt to run to second.
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