Things we all once knew and forgot -
and now need to know again.
This page will hopefully help ease some confusion about some baseball related topics as they relate to baseball and our program. Please check back frequently as we will be adding more as we get through the season.
If you have any you want to add - send them in !!!
It is "ALL" coaches responsibility to:
Put the bases away after the game
Put the plugs back in the pegs
Clean up the area in your dugout
***** just help everyone out *****
A ball which hits FIRST or THIRD
base - "IS" fair
Want to know the batter's box dimensions - click here
Baseball etiquette - No team should practice on a field if that field will be used as a game-day field! The Park District uses their resources to get the field in "game" shape - please be considerate.
Home Team always has the third base dugout
A pitch which hits the ground first then hits the batter – it “IS” a HBP
There is a “NO MUST SLIDE RULE” – check the league rules
If a ball hits off home plate and rolls fair – it “IS” a fair ball
All of the following statements are FALSE. Read the explanations and rule references to find out why. Taken right from the eteamz web site.
Top 40 Baseball Rule Myths REMEMBER - THESE ARE "MYTHS" !!!!!!!!! 1. The hands are considered part of the bat. 2. The batter-runner must turn to his right after over-running first base. 3. If the batter breaks his wrists when swinging, it's a strike. 4. If a batted ball hits the plate first it's a foul ball. 5. The batter cannot be called out for interference if he is in the batter's box. 6. The ball is dead on a foul-tip. 7. The batter may not switch batter's boxes after two strikes. 8. The batter who batted out of order is the person declared out. 9. The batter may not overrun first base when he gets a base-on-balls. 10. The batter is out if he starts for the dugout before going to first after a dropped third strike. 11. If the batter does not pull the bat out of the strike zone while in the bunting position, it's an automatic strike. 12. The batter is out if a bunted ball hits the ground and bounces back up and hits the bat while the batter is holding the bat. 13. The batter is out if his foot touches the plate. 14. The batter-runner is always out if he runs outside the running lane after a bunted ball. 15. A runner is out if he slaps hands or high-fives other players, after a homerun is hit over the fence. 16. Tie goes to the runner. 17. The runner gets the base he's going to, plus one on a ball thrown out-of-play. 18. Anytime a coach touches a runner, the runner is out. 19. Runners may never run the bases in reverse order. 20. The runner must always slide when the play is close. 21. The runner is always safe when hit by a batted ball while touching a base. 22. A runner may not steal on a foul-tip. 23. It is a force out when a runner is called out for not tagging up on a fly ball. 24. An appeal on a runner who missed a base cannot be a force out. 25. A runner is out if he runs out of the baseline to avoid a fielder who is fielding a batted ball. 26. Runners may not advance when an infield fly is called. 27. No run can score when a runner is called out for the third out for not tagging up. 28. A pitch that bounces to the plate cannot be hit. 29. The batter does not get first base if hit by a pitch after it bounces. 30. If a fielder holds a fly ball for 2 seconds it's a catch. 31. You must tag the base with your foot on a force out or appeal. 32. The ball is always immediately dead on a balk. 33. If a player's feet are in fair territory when the ball is touched, it is a fair ball. 34. The ball must always be returned to the pitcher before an appeal can be made. 35. With no runners on base, it is a ball if the pitcher starts his windup and then stops. 36. The pitcher must come to a set position before a pick-off throw. 37. The pitcher must step off the rubber before a pick-off throw. 38. If a fielder catches a fly ball and then falls over the fence it is a homerun. 39. The ball is dead anytime an umpire is hit by the ball. 40. The home plate umpire can overrule the other umps at anytime.
Baseball Basics: Lingo
A fan's guide to commonly-used terms and phrases.
ace -- A team's best starting pitcher.
alley-- The section of the outfield between the outfielders. Also "gap."
around the horn-- A double play going from third base to second to first.
backdoor slider -- A pitch that appears to be out of the strike zone, but then breaks back over the plate. bag -- A base.
Baltimore chop -- A ground ball that hits in front of home plate (or off of it) and takes a large hop over the infielder's head.
bandbox-- A small ballpark that favors hitters.
bang-bang play -- A play in which the baserunner hits the bag a split-second before the ball arrives or vice versa.
basket catch -- When a fielder catches a ball with his glove near belt level.
Bronx cheer -- When the crowd boos. brushback -- A pitch that nearly hits a batter.
bush -- Also "bush league." An amateur play or behavior. can of corn -- An easy catch by a fielder.
caught looking -- When a batter is called out on strikes.
cellar -- Last place. Also "basement."
cheese -- Also "good cheese." Refers to a good fastball.
chin music -- A pitch that is high and inside.
circus catch -- An outstanding catch by a fielder.
closer -- A team's relief pitcher who finishes the game.
cutter -- A cut fastball (one with a late break to it).
cycle -- When a batter hits a single, double, triple and home run in the same game.
dinger -- A home run.
dish -- Home plate.
fireman -- A team's closer or late-inning relief pitcher. fungo -- A ball hit to a fielder during practice. It's usually hit by a coach using a "fungo bat," which is longer and thinner than a normal bat.
gap -- See "alley." A ball hit here is a "gapper." gopher ball -- A pitch hit for a home run, as in "go for."
heat -- A good fastball. Also "heater."
high and tight -- Referring to a pitch that's up in the strike zone and inside on a hitter. Also known as "up and in."
hill -- Pitcher's mound.
homer -- A home run. Other terms include: blast, dinger, dong, four-bagger, four-base knock, moon shot, tape-measure blast and tater.
hot corner -- Third base.
in the hole -- The batter after the on-deck hitter.
jam -- When a hitter gets a pitch near his hands, he is "jammed." Also when a pitcher gets himself in trouble, he is in a "jam."
leather -- Refers to how good a player plays defensively or handles the glove. Ex: "He flashed some leather on that play."
meatball -- An easy pitch to hit, usually right down the middle of the plate.
Mendoza line -- A batting average of around .200.
moon shot -- A very long, high home run.
nail down -- As in "nail down a victory." Refers to a relief pitcher finishing off the game.
on the screws -- When a batter hits the ball hard. Also "on the button."
painting the black -- When a pitcher throws the ball over the edge of the plate.
pea -- A ball traveling at high speed, either batted or thrown.
pepper -- Pepper is a common pre-game exercise where one player bunts brisk grounders and line drives to a group of fielders who are standing about 20 feet away. The fielders try to throw it back as quickly as possible. The batter hits the return throw. (Some ballparks ban pepper games because wild pitches could land in the stands and injure spectators).
pick -- A good defensive play by an infielder on a ground ball. Also a shortened version of "pick-off."
pickle -- A rundown.
punchout -- A strikeout.
rhubarb -- A fight or scuffle.
ribbie -- Another way of saying RBI. Also "ribeye."
rope -- A hard line drive hit by a batter. Also "frozen rope."
rubber game -- The deciding game of a series.
run-down -- When a baserunner gets caught between bases by the fielders.
Ruthian -- With great power.
seeing-eye single -- A soft ground ball that finds its way between infielders for a base hit.
set-up man -- A relief pitcher who usually enters the game in the 7th or 8th inning.
shoestring catch -- A running catch made just above the fielder's shoetops. southpaw -- A left-handed pitcher.
sweet spot -- The part of the bat just a few inches from the barrel.
table setter -- Batter whose job is to get on base for other hitters to drive him in. Usually a leadoff or No. 2 hitter.
tape-measure blast -- An extremely long home run.
tater -- A home run.
Texas Leaguer -- A bloop hit that drops between an infielder and outfielder.
tools of ignorance -- Catcher's equipment.
touch 'em all -- Hitting a home run (touching all the bases).
twin killing -- A double play.
Uncle Charlie -- Curve ball.
utility player -- A player who fills in at many positions.
wheelhouse -- A hitter's power zone. Usually a pitch waist-high and over the heart of the plate.
wheels -- A ballplayer's legs.
whiff -- Strikeout.
yakker -- Curve ball.
Prepared by the Publishing Department of Major League Baseball Properties.
