Hitting Terms
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Home Run - When a hitter hits a ball beyond the outfield fence, resulting in a run scored.
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Triple - A hit where the hitter makes it safely to third base.
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Double - A hit where the hitter makes it safely to second base.
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Single - A hit where the hitter makes it safely to first base.
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Strikeout - When a batter swings and misses at three pitches, resulting in an out.
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Walk - When a pitcher throws four balls to a batter, resulting in a free base.
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RBI (Runs Batted In) - When a batter hits the ball and it results in a run scored.
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Foul Ball - When a hitter hits the ball outside of the foul lines, resulting in a foul ball and a strike (unless the batter already has two strikes).
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Squeeze Play - A strategic offensive play where a runner on third base runs home while the batter bunts.
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Sacrifice Bunt - An intentional bunt by the batter that is intended to advance baserunners, even if it results in the batter being out.
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Sacrifice Fly - A fly ball hit by the batter that is deep enough to allow a baserunner to tag up and advance to another base.
Pitching Terms
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ERA (Earned Run Average) - A statistic used for pitchers that measures the average number of runs scored against them per game.
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WHIP (Walks and Hits per Inning Pitched) - A statistic used for pitchers that measures the number of baserunners allowed per inning pitched.
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Strike Zone - The area over home plate where pitches must cross in order to result in a strike.
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Strike - A pitch that crosses the plate in the strike zone and results in a strike for the batter.
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Ball - A pitch that is not in the strike zone and results in a ball for the batter.
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Curveball - A type of pitch that curves as it approaches the batter.
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Fastball - A pitch thrown with maximum velocity by the pitcher straight towards the catcher.
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Slider - A pitch that breaks slightly to the side as it approaches the batter.
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Knuckleball - A pitch that is thrown with little or no spin, causing it to flutter unpredictably.
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Spitball - A banned pitch where the pitcher adds saliva or another foreign substance to the ball in order to alter its trajectory.
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Bullpen Session - A practice session for pitchers where they throw simulated pitches in the bullpen.
Fielding Terms
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Infield - The area of the field where the bases are located.
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Outfield - The area of the field beyond the infield where the outfielders play.
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Tag Out - When a defender tags a baserunner with the ball while they are not on a base, resulting in an out.
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Force out - When a defender touches the base with the ball before the baserunner reaches it, resulting in an out.
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Double Play - A defensive play where two outs are made on the same play.
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Triple play - A defensive play where three outs are made on the same play.
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Steal - When a baserunner advances to the next base while the ball is being thrown from the pitcher to the catcher.
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Ground Ball - A batted ball that stays on or near the ground.
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Pop-up fly ball - A batted ball that goes high into the air and is usually caught by an infielder or an outfielder.
Scoring Terms
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Run - When a baserunner crosses home plate safely, resulting in a point for their team.
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Inning - A unit of play that consists of two halves, one where each team bats and one where each team fields.
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Game - A contest that consists of nine innings, or more if the score is tied.
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Win - When a team scores more runs than the other team at the end of the game.
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Loss - When a team scores fewer runs than the other team at the end of the game.
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Tie - When both teams score the same number of runs at the end of the game and no extra innings are played.
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Extra Innings - Additional innings played after the ninth inning if the score is tied.
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Walk-off - When a team wins the game with a run scored in the bottom of the ninth inning or any extra inning.
Team Terms
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Home Team - The team playing on their home field.
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Away Team - The team playing on the opposing team’s field.
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Starting Pitcher - The pitcher who begins the game for their team.
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Relief Pitcher - A pitcher who replaces the starting pitcher during the game.
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Closer - A relief pitcher who comes in to pitch at the end of the game to try to secure the win for their team.
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Bullpen - The area in the stadium where the relief pitchers warm up.
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Lineup - The order in which the hitters bat for their team.
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Bench - The players who are not in the lineup but are available to substitute during the game.
Other Terms
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Dugout - The area where the players sit when they are not playing on the field.
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On-Deck Circle - The area where the next batter in the lineup waits to bat.
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Strike Three Call - The umpire’s call when a batter strikes out.
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Umpire - An official who enforces the rules and makes calls during the game. There are usually four umpires on the field, one at home plate and one at each base.