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Baseball Slang Dictionary From A-CA Lexicon of Baseball Slang Terms from an 'Ace' to 'Cycle'Baseball is unique because of its obsession with statistics and its rich and complex terminology. Here is the first volume of a dictionary of baseball slang terms.
Baseball has been around for so long, and has worked its way so deeply into the American consciousness, that it has developed its own language, and its own slang. Here is a comprehensive collection of baseball slang terms for your reading pleasure. AAce. A team’s best starting pitcher. Alley. The spaces in the outfield between the right fielder and center fielder (right field alley), or the left fielder and cen terfielder (left field alleys). Alleys are also referred to “gaps” Around the Horn. A double play that goes from third base to second base to first base. (This also refers to a particularly annoying and incomprehensible sportswriters roundtable show which airs on ESPN every day at 5:00). BBaltimore Chop. A manner of hitting by chopping the ball into the ground immediately in front of home plate with the design of making the ball “hop” into the air, either high enough to allow the batter to reach first base before the infielder can field the ball and throw it to first base. Another goal is to chop the ball hard enough to have it ricochet over the infielders’ heads. The term is derived from the style of play of the 1894 Baltimore Orioles, who led the National league in batting by often using this style. Bandbox. A baseball field whose dimensions are small and thus favor the hitter. Beanball. A pitch that is aimed at the batter, often his head. The pitch is thrown to intimidate hitters or to obtain revenge when the opposing pitcher has already hit one of the thrower’s teammates. A dangerous practice that is less common than it was in baseball’s earlier years. Often, if a pitcher beans a hitter, both he and his team’s manager are thrown out of the game and face even longer suspension, depending on the severity and obviousness of the pitch. Bench Clearer. These often follow a beanball. It'sa fight or brawl on the field that results in both teams coming off their respective benches (and sometimes their bullpens if things get really out of hand). Big Show. The Major Leagues (also, called just “the Show”) Bronx Cheer. When the crowd boos (also known as a Philly Cheer). Blue. Refers to the umpires (because of their blue uniforms) Brushback. A ball thrown high and inside by a pitcher for the purpose of pushing him further away from the plate and also, putting the fear of god into him. (also called Chin Music or High and Tight). Bush-Leaguer. A derogatory term used to identify a low quality, or second rate, ballplayer CCan of Corn. A high, easy-to-catch, fly ball hit to the outfield (also known as a Can of Peas). Captain Hook. A manager who has a penchant for removing pitchers from the game very quickly. Caught Looking. Atriking out on a called third strike. Choke Up. Where the hitter grips the bat two or three inches above the knob to shorten the bat and give the hitter greater control, although less power, over his swing. A player usually does this when he has two strikes in an effort to avoid striking out. (Example: With two strikes and a man on third, Felix Milan choked up on th bat in the hopes of making sufficient contact to drive home a run.) Cup of Coffee. Refers to a brief stint in the major leagues. Example: “Catcher Crash Davis was in the majors with the Baltimore Orioles for a cup of coffee at the end of the 1983 season.” Cycle. When a player gets at least one single, double, triple and home run in a game (also known as hitting for the cycle). ________________ Click on the link for the baseball slang dictionary from D to H. Click on this link for the baseball slang dictionary from I to O. Click on this link for the baseball slang dictionary from P to S.
The copyright of the article Baseball Slang Dictionary From A-C in Baseball is owned by James Lincoln Ray. Permission to republish Baseball Slang Dictionary From A-C in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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