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Baseball Slang Dictionary from T-Z

More Baseball Slang Terms Including Tater, Whiff, and Yakker

May 22, 2007

The final chapter of the Baseball Slang Terms Dictionary.

Click on link for the Baseball Slang Dictionary from A to C

Click on link for the Baseball Slang Dictionary from D to H

Click on link for the Baseball Slang Dictionary from I to O

Click on link for the Baseball Slang Dictionary from P to S

T

Table setter. Refers to a number 1 or number 2 hitter in the batting order. These hitters are not usually much for power, but rather are more skilled at reaching base (through singles and doubles and walks), advancing bases (through steals, speed and good baserunning) and scoring runs.

Tape Measure Blast. A very long home run, allegedly originated when a Washington, D.C. reporter used a tape measure to gauge the distance of a prodigious blast that Mickey Mantle hit off Washington’s Chuck Stobbs in 1953. (The drive was measured at 562 feet).

Take a Pitch. When a hitter makes no effort at all to hit a pitched ball. This is often done against a pitcher who gives up a lot of walks in general, is behind in the count, or is simply having difficulty throwing strikes in a particular game.

Tater. A home run (Example: Mets' pitcher Anthony Young gave up plenty of taters during his 26-game losing streak).

Texas Leaguer. A weak bloop single that finds an open space between the infielders and outfielders. ("Eckstein is on first after hitting a Texas Leaguer off Brandon League.")

Throwing BBs. A phrase used to describe a pitcher who is throwing so hard that the ball appears as small as a BB. ("No one would ever have accused legendary knuckleball pitcher Phil Neikro of throwing BBs.")

Tools of Ignorance. Catcher’s equipment. Given the complexities of being a baseball catcher, this is clearly a misnomer, probably started by a sportswriter who never played the game.

Turn Two. Get a double play. ("Pettitte was lucky that Jeter and Cano were able to turn two to kill the Tigers' rally.)

Twin Bill. A doubleheader baseball game. ("Ernie Banks loved the game so much that he often started practice by asking his teammates to play a Twin Bill by saying 'Let's Play Two.')

Twin Killing. Another term for a double play.

Two Bagger. Slang terms for a double. ("Mattingly has 53 two-baggers so far this season, which is a new Yankee record.)

U

Uncle Charlie. Another term for a curveball (also known as Lord Charles.)

W

Wheelhouse. A hitter’s power zone, which area should be avoided by the pitcher’s ball. ("Tekulve threw the ball right into Schmidt's wheelhouse, resulting in a 500 foot home run.")

Whiff. 1. a strikeout; or (lesser used) 2. a swing and a miss.

Worm Burner. A hard hit, scorching ground ball.

Y

Yakker. A curve ball. ("Steve Stone had a mean yakker, which helped him win 25 games in 1980.)

The copyright of the article Baseball Slang Dictionary from T-Z in Baseball is owned by James Lincoln Ray. Permission to republish Baseball Slang Dictionary from T-Z in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.