Apple pie, the Fourth of July, and baseball are just a few of America’s signature traditions, and as winter is quickly coming to an end, baseball spring training has already begun.
Whether you’re at Comerica Park watching the Detroit Tigers, or in Mount Pleasant watching the Chippewas, understanding the lingo of the game is crucial to understanding the great American pastime.
The following terminology won’t only allow you to understand the sport better, but hey, what athlete doesn’t like a woman who knows her sports?
1. A fielder– A fielder is simply any of the 9 defensive players on the field.
2. A strike– A strike can happen in numerous situations, but here are the most frequent:
a. Foul ball.
b. When the batter swings and misses the ball.
c. When the batter gets caught looking and doesn’t swing at a ball thrown over the base.
3. Strike zone– The area directly over home plate, where the pitcher must throw the ball in order to throw a strike.
4. Ball– A ball is when the pitcher throws the ball outside the strike zone. The pitcher is allowed 3 balls, and the batter is placed on first base on the 4th ball.
5. Full count (3-2 count) – A full count is when the pitcher has thrown 3 balls, and 2 strikes to the same batter. In this case, if the pitcher throws a strike he gets the strikeout, and if he throws another ball it results in walking the batter (automatically placing the batter on first base).
6. Fly ball– A fly ball is when the batter hits the ball high in the air, fly balls are usually easily caught by the fielders.
7. Ground ball– A ground ball is the opposite of a fly ball. In this case, the ball is hit low to the ground and rolls or bounces most of its distance.
8. Line drive– A line drive is an ideal hit for a batter. The ball is much harder for the fielders to catch because of the velocity of the ball.
9. In the park homerun- An in the park homerun is a very rare play in baseball, but one of the most exciting. In this situation, the batter hits the ball so deep in the outfield that he is able to run all four bases to score a run.
10. Inning- An inning is complete when both teams have had their chance at bat. There are 9 innings per game and go into extra innings if the game is tied at the end of the 9th. The visiting team always bats first and is called the top of the inning. It then becomes the bottom of the inning when the home team goes to bat.
11. Switch hitter- Although switch hitters are very rare in baseball, they are very dangerous, talented players. A switch hitter is a player who can bat right handed and left handed. Being a switch hitter gives the batter an advantage because it allows them to adapt to the pitcher. For instance, if the pitcher is right handed, the batter would have the advantage if he batted left, and vice versa.
As baseball season is quickly approaching, these 11 terms will allow you to have more fun at a Tigers game, and appreciate more of America’s pastime. Although baseball has many rules and can be complex at times, watching the sport is the best way to become familiar with all of the details.