Baseball Glossary
Glossary explained in plain English for parents learning Baseball.
| Term | Plain-English Meaning | Example | Also Known As |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inning | A game segment where each team usually gets one turn to bat and one turn to play defense. | The visiting team bats in the top half and the home team bats in the bottom half. | Frame |
| Half-inning | One team's turn to bat while the other team plays defense. | A half-inning may end after three outs or after a youth league run limit. | Top;bottom |
| Out | A result that removes a batter or runner from that turn at bat. | A caught fly ball, a force at first, or a tag on a runner can be an out. | Putout |
| Count | The current number of balls and strikes on the batter. | A 3-2 count means three balls and two strikes. | Balls and strikes |
| Ball | A pitch outside the strike zone that the batter does not swing at, as judged by the umpire. | Four balls usually give the batter a walk to first base. | Pitch outside |
| Strike | A pitch or swing result that moves the batter closer to an out. | A swing and miss is a strike, and many foul balls count as strikes until there are two strikes. | Called strike;swung strike |
| Walk | When a batter is awarded first base after receiving four balls. | With first base occupied, a walk may force runners to advance. | Base on balls |
| Fair ball | A batted ball that lands or is touched in fair territory under the umpire's judgment. | A ground ball inside the first-base line is usually fair. | Fair |
| Foul ball | A batted ball outside fair territory or one ruled foul by the umpire. | A ball hit behind the plate or outside the baseline may be foul. | Foul |
| Force play | A play where a runner must advance because the batter became a runner and all bases behind are occupied. | With a runner on first, the defense can touch second with the ball before the runner arrives. | Force out |
| Tag play | A play where a fielder must tag the runner with the ball or glove holding the ball. | A runner trying for third when not forced usually must be tagged to be out. | Tag |
| Safe | An umpire call meaning the runner reached the base without being put out. | The runner beats the throw to first and the umpire signals safe. | Safe call |
| Baserunner | An offensive player who has reached base and is trying to advance. | A runner on second may try to score on a hit to the outfield. | Runner |
| Steal | An attempt by a runner to advance during a pitch or while the defense is not making a hit-ball play. | Some youth leagues allow stealing only after the ball crosses the plate, and some do not allow it at all. | Stolen base |
| Overthrow | A throw that misses the intended fielder or base. | A throw past first base may let runners advance, depending on local youth rules. | Bad throw |
| Dead ball | A pause where runners usually cannot advance until the umpire puts the ball back in play. | The umpire calls time after a pitch hits the batter. | Time |