A simple A–Z guide to the language of baseball and softball. Terms are listed by their most commonly used English name, with common abbreviations and alternative names included in parentheses.
Unless marked otherwise, a term applies to both baseball and softball.
⚾ Baseball only
? Softball only
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A request by the defensive team for an umpire to rule on a violation that the umpire may not call automatically, such as a runner missing a base or leaving a base too early after a caught fly ball.
A fielding statistic credited to a defensive player who handles or throws the ball as part of a play that results in an out.
An official batting opportunity used for statistical purposes. Not every plate appearance counts as an at bat; for example, walks and some other outcomes are excluded.
The team playing away from its home field. The away team normally bats first, in the top half of each inning.
The fence or protective barrier behind home plate that stops balls from leaving the playing area and protects spectators.
⚾ Baseball only
An illegal action by the pitcher with one or more runners on base. A balk normally allows the runners to advance one base.
A pitch outside the strike zone that the batter does not swing at. Four balls normally result in a walk.
A ball that is live and can be played by the defensive team after a legal pitch or hit.
One of the four points a runner must reach in order: first base, second base, third base and home plate.
A coach positioned in a coach's box near first or third base who gives instructions to runners and batters.
A fair ball that allows the batter to reach base safely without the result being primarily caused by a defensive error or fielder's choice.
The general path between two bases. In certain plays, a runner may be called out for moving too far away from the path established while attempting to avoid a tag.
A situation in which there are no runners on first, second or third base.
A situation in which runners occupy first, second and third base at the same time.
The piece of equipment used by the batter to hit the pitched ball.
The offensive player whose turn it is to face the pitcher and attempt to hit the ball.
The term used for a batter from the moment they complete an action that allows or requires them to become a runner until the play ends or they are put out.
The marked area beside home plate in which the batter must stand while batting.
The pitcher and catcher working together as a defensive pair.
A statistic showing how often a batter records a hit in official at bats. It is calculated by dividing hits by at bats.
The sequence in which players on a team take their turns at bat.
The area where players and coaches who are not currently on the field sit or remain during the game. Often used informally as another name for the dugout or its occupants.
The second half of an inning, when the home team normally bats.
A statistical summary of a game showing runs, hits, errors and individual player statistics.
A pitch designed to change direction significantly as it approaches the batter, such as a curveball or slider.
The area where pitchers warm up before entering the game. The term can also refer collectively to a team's relief pitchers.
A batting technique in which the batter intentionally meets the ball with the bat rather than taking a full swing, usually attempting to place the ball softly into the field.
A pitch in the strike zone that the batter does not swing at and the umpire calls a strike.
The act of a defensive player securely gaining possession of a ball in flight before it touches the ground.
The defensive player positioned behind home plate who receives pitches from the pitcher and plays a central role in defending home plate.
The marked area behind home plate in which the catcher must be positioned as required by the rules.
Interference caused by the catcher preventing or hindering the batter's opportunity to hit a pitch, often through contact with the bat during the swing.
The middle section of the outfield.
The defensive player responsible primarily for covering center field.
A pitch thrown to look similar to a fastball but at a lower speed, designed to disrupt the batter's timing.
A swing that the batter begins but attempts to stop before committing fully. The umpire determines whether the batter actually offered at the pitch.
The batter traditionally placed fourth in the batting order, often a strong hitter expected to drive runners home.
A member of the team staff who instructs players and helps manage strategy during a game.
A marked area near first and third base designated for base coaches.
The current number of balls and strikes on a batter. The ball count is stated first, for example 3–2 means three balls and two strikes.
? Softball only
An illegal pitching action in fastpitch softball in which the pitcher replants or pushes off from a point closer to home plate after leaving the pitcher's plate.
A breaking pitch designed to curve as it approaches the batter.
A defensive player positioned to receive a throw from the outfield and redirect it quickly toward another base or home plate.
A ball that is temporarily out of play. Runners and fielders cannot continue normal play until the ball becomes live again.
The team currently in the field attempting to prevent runs and record outs.
⚾ Baseball only
A player who bats in place of another player, traditionally the pitcher, under rules that permit use of a designated hitter.
? Softball only
A player used in fastpitch softball who bats in the lineup while another player, usually the FLEX, plays defense under the DP/FLEX rule.
The square formed by home plate and first, second and third base, commonly used to describe the infield layout.
A hit that allows the batter to reach second base safely without an error or other play changing the scoring decision.
A defensive play in which two offensive players are put out during the same continuous play.
A third strike that is not legally caught by the catcher. Under certain conditions, the batter may attempt to reach first base even though the pitch was strike three.
The designated team area where players, coaches and other permitted personnel remain when they are not on the field.
A run charged to a pitcher that scores without the assistance of certain defensive errors or passed balls, according to scoring rules.
A pitching statistic representing the average number of earned runs a pitcher allows over a standard full-game number of innings.
A fielding mistake that, in the scorer's judgment, allows a batter or runner to advance when an ordinary defensive play should have prevented it.
A hit on which the batter reaches at least second base: a double, triple or home run.
Innings played after the regulation number of innings when the score is tied, subject to the rules of the competition.
A batted ball that meets the rules for being in fair territory and remains playable.
The part of the playing field between and including the foul lines.
A pitch thrown primarily for speed, usually with relatively little intentional sideways or downward break.
Any defensive player on the field.
A play in which a fielder chooses to attempt an out on another runner instead of retiring the batter-runner at first base.
A defensive statistic based on successful fielding plays compared with total fielding chances.
The first base a batter-runner normally attempts to reach after putting the ball into play.
The defensive player whose primary position is around first base.
? Softball only
The defensive player paired with the Designated Player under softball's DP/FLEX rule.
A batted ball that travels high into the air.
An out recorded when a defensive player legally catches a fly ball before it touches the ground.
An out made when a runner is required to advance because the batter became a runner and a fielder gains possession of the ball at the required base before the runner reaches it.
A batted ball that meets the rules for being in foul territory.
Either of the two lines running from home plate through first or third base and extending toward the outfield boundary. The lines themselves are in fair territory.
A vertical marker near the outfield fence that helps determine whether a fly ball is fair or foul. A ball striking the pole above the fence is fair.
The area of the field outside the foul lines.
A batted ball that goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher's hand or glove and is legally caught. Under the rules, it is treated differently from an ordinary foul ball.
A count of three balls and two strikes on the batter, commonly called a 3–2 count.
A contest between two teams played according to baseball or softball rules.
A home run hit with runners on first, second and third base, scoring four runs.
A batted ball that travels along or close to the ground.
A fair ball for which the rules award the batter and runners two bases, commonly when a batted ball bounces over an outfield fence.
One half of an inning. Each team normally has one turn on offense during an inning.
See Base Hit. A fair batted ball that allows the batter to reach base safely and is officially scored as a hit.
An offensive play in which a runner starts toward the next base as the pitch is delivered while the batter attempts to put the ball in play.
A pitch that legally touches the batter, generally resulting in the batter being awarded first base when the applicable conditions are met.
The five-sided plate that serves as the starting and finishing point for scoring a run and is used in determining the strike zone.
A hit that allows the batter to circle all the bases and score without being put out. Most home runs are hit over the outfield fence in fair territory.
The team designated as the home side. The home team normally bats in the bottom half of each inning.
A pitch or pitching action that violates the rules. The exact penalty depends on the sport, situation and applicable ruleset.
The part of the field containing home plate and the three bases, commonly including the area normally covered by the infielders.
A rule that can declare the batter out on certain easily catchable fair fly balls with runners on first and second, or with the bases loaded, and fewer than two outs. Its purpose is to prevent the defense from intentionally allowing the ball to fall to create an unfair double or triple play.
A defensive player whose normal position is in the infield, such as a first baseman, second baseman, third baseman or shortstop.
A division of the game in which each team normally has one turn on offense and one on defense.
A walk deliberately given to a batter as a tactical decision.
An act that illegally interferes with or hinders a player's opportunity to make a play. Different types of interference exist depending on who causes it.
The distance a runner moves away from a base before attempting to advance. Rules governing when a runner may leave the base differ between baseball and softball.
The first batter in a team's batting order.
The section of the outfield to the left from the batter's perspective when facing the field.
The defensive player primarily responsible for left field.
A hard-hit ball that travels through the air on a relatively straight, low trajectory.
See Batting Order. The listed players and the order in which they are scheduled to bat.
A ball that is in play and during which players may perform normal game actions under the rules.
? Softball only
A baserunning rule in fastpitch softball that restricts what runners may do once the pitcher has control of the ball in the pitcher's circle under the required conditions.
⚾ Baseball only
The raised area in the center of the baseball infield from which the pitcher delivers pitches.
⚾ Baseball only
A visit to the pitcher on the mound by a coach, manager or teammate, subject to the rules and limits of the competition.
A game in which a team does not allow the opposing team to record a hit. Runners may still reach base by other means.
An illegal act by a defensive player that hinders a runner's progress when the fielder is not entitled to impede that runner under the rules.
The team currently batting and attempting to score runs.
A statistic measuring how frequently a batter reaches base through specified outcomes such as hits, walks and hit-by-pitches.
The player scheduled to bat immediately after the current batter.
The designated area where the next batter may prepare before coming to bat.
One of the defensive team's required retirements of an offensive player. A team's offensive half-inning normally ends after three outs.
The area of the playing field beyond the infield.
The boundary fence at the outer edge of the outfield on fields that have one.
A defensive player whose normal position is in left, center or right field.
A pitch that the catcher should normally have controlled but does not, allowing a runner or runners to advance. It is recorded differently from a wild pitch.
A game in which no opposing batter reaches base by any means.
A defensive attempt, usually involving the pitcher or catcher, to put out a runner who is away from a base.
A substitute player who enters the game to bat for another player.
A substitute player who enters the game to run for another player.
A ball legally delivered by the pitcher toward the batter.
The number of pitches thrown by a pitcher. Pitch-count limits are particularly important in many youth competitions.
The defensive player who delivers pitches to the batter.
? Softball only
The marked circle surrounding the pitcher's plate on a softball field. It has an important role in rules such as the look-back rule.
The plate from which the pitcher must begin or perform the pitching action as required by the applicable rules.
The replacement of the current pitcher by another eligible player.
A completed turn at the plate. Unlike an at bat, a plate appearance also includes outcomes such as walks and certain other results.
A high, usually short fly ball that normally remains in or near the infield.
A player whose primary role is playing a defensive position other than pitcher, particularly when distinguishing such players from pitchers.
? Softball only
A substitution rule that allows certain starting players to return to the game after being substituted for, subject to specific restrictions.
A pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher has been removed or replaced.
The act of a runner returning to or touching a required base again, such as when returning to a base after a caught fly ball before legally advancing.
The section of the outfield to the right from the batter's perspective when facing the field.
The defensive player primarily responsible for right field.
A point scored when a player legally advances around the bases and reaches home plate.
A statistic generally credited to a batter when the result of their plate appearance causes a run to score, subject to official scoring rules.
A defensive play in which a runner is trapped between bases and fielders attempt to tag the runner out. It is also commonly called a pickle.
An offensive player who has reached base and has not yet been put out or scored.
A marked lane near the first-base line used in determining certain interference situations involving the batter-runner running toward first base.
A bunt intended primarily to advance one or more runners, even though the batter is likely to be put out.
A caught fly ball that allows a runner to score and meets the scoring requirements for a sacrifice fly.
An umpire's ruling that a runner has legally reached or retained a base without being put out.
A common expression for a runner being on second or third base, where a hit has a good chance of allowing the runner to score.
The second base in the normal sequence around the field, positioned between first and third base.
The infielder whose normal defensive area is around the right side of second base from the defense's perspective.
The infielder whose normal position is between second and third base.
An expression meaning that the offensive team's half-inning has ended, normally because three outs have been recorded.
A hit on which the batter safely reaches first base without an error or another scoring decision changing the result.
A breaking pitch that typically moves laterally and downward while being thrown faster than a traditional curveball.
A batting statistic measuring total bases achieved on hits per official at bat, giving greater value to extra-base hits.
An offensive play in which a bunt is used in an attempt to score a runner from third base.
The pitcher who begins the game for a team.
An advance to the next base credited to a runner who successfully advances while the defense is attempting to prevent the advance, subject to scoring rules.
A pitch or batting action that meets one of the rules for a strike, including a pitch in the strike zone, a swing and miss, or certain foul balls.
An out normally resulting when a batter receives three strikes, although special rules such as the uncaught third strike may affect whether the batter is immediately out.
The area over home plate through which a pitch must pass at the required height to be called a strike when the batter does not swing. Its exact definition depends on the applicable rules.
The replacement of one player by another during the game according to the applicable substitution rules.
The batter's attempt to hit a pitch by moving the bat through the hitting area.
A strike resulting when the batter swings at a pitch and misses.
The act of legally touching a runner with the ball or with the glove or hand securely holding the ball when a tag is required for an out.
An out recorded by legally tagging a runner who is not protected by being in contact with a base.
The act of a runner remaining on or returning to a base after a fly ball is caught before attempting to advance.
? Softball only
A runner permitted under certain softball rules to run temporarily for another player, subject to the competition's specific conditions.
The third base in the normal sequence around the field and the final base before home plate.
The infielder whose normal defensive position is around third base.
An informal expression for a half-inning in which the defense retires three consecutive batters without allowing anyone to reach base.
The act of a defensive player throwing the ball to another player or toward a base.
The first half of an inning, when the away team normally bats.
A hit on which the batter safely reaches third base without an error or another scoring decision changing the result.
A defensive play in which three offensive players are put out during the same continuous play.
An official responsible for enforcing the rules, making decisions on plays and managing the game on the field.
An award of first base to a batter who receives four balls, subject to the applicable rules.
A game-ending offensive play in the final scheduled or extra inning that gives the home team the winning run.
A strip of different surface material near the outfield fence designed to help fielders sense that they are approaching the fence.
A pitch that is too difficult for the catcher to control with ordinary effort and allows one or more runners to advance. It is charged to the pitcher rather than recorded as a passed ball.
