Balk

An illegal motion by the pitcher with one or more runners on base, entitling all runners to advance one base. A balk can be one of a number of movements related to the pitching motion but the intention is to catch the runners off balance.

Ball

A pitch which does not enter the strike zone and is not struck at by the batter.

Base

The four points of the baseball diamond (first through third bases and home plate) that must be touched by a runner in order to score a run.

Batter

The offensive player who is currently positioned in the batter's box.

Batter's Box

Either of the areas next to home plate where the batter stands during his time at bat.

Bottom

The second half of an inning.

Bunt

A legally batted ball, not swung at but intentionally met with the bat and tapped within the infield.

Catch

The act of a fielder in getting secure possession in his hand or glove of a ball in flight and firmly holding it.

Catcher

The defensive player whose position is directly behind home plate.

Defense

The team currently in the field.

Designated Hitter

A player who may be designated to bat instead of the pitcher.

Double

A play in which the batter makes it safely to second base without stopping.

Double Header

Two games played in immediate succession.

Double Play

A defensive play in which two offensive players are put out as a result of one continuous action.

Dugout

The seating area for team members not currently on the playing field.

Fair Ball

A legally batted ball that settles on or over fair territory.

Fair Territory

That part of the playing field within and including the first base and third base lines, from home plate to the playing field fence and perpendicularly upwards.

Fielder

One of the nine defensive players, including pitcher, catcher, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, shortstop, left fielder, center fielder and right fielder.

Fielder's Choice

The act of a fielder who handles a fair grounder and, instead of throwing to first base to put out the batter runner, throws to another base in an attempt to put out a preceding runner.

Fly Ball

A ball which goes high in the air when batted.

Force Play

A play in which a runner loses his right to occupy a base when the current batter becomes a runner.

Forfeited Game

A game declared ended by the umpire for violation of the rules, and awarded to the offended team.

Foul Ball

A batted ball that lands on foul territory between home plate and first base or third base, bounds past first or third base on or over third territory, first touches foul territory beyond first or third base, or touches a player, umpire or any object not part of the playing field while over foul territory.

Foul Territory

That part of the playing field outside the first and third base lines extended to the outfield fence and perpendicularly upwards.

Ground Ball

A batted ball which rolls along the ground.

Ground Rule Double

When a line drive bounces on the field and over the wall in fair territory the hit is scored as a ground rule double and the
batter advances to second base.

Home Plate

The base over which an offensive player bats, and to which he must return after touching all three bases in order to score a run.

Home Run

A play in which the batter makes it safely around all bases and back to home plate without stopping.

Home Team

The team on whose field the game is played. If the game is played on neutral grounds, the home team shall be designated by
mutual agreement.

Infield

The diamond-shaped portion of the playing field bordered by the four bases.

Infielder

A fielder who occupies a position in the infield.

Infield Fly

A fair fly ball which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, which first and second, or first, second and third bases are
occupied before the second out.

Infield Fly Rule

On the infield fly rule the umpire is to rule whether the ball could ordinarily have been handled by an infielder not by some arbitrary limitation such as the grass, or the base lines. The umpire's judgment must govern, and the decision should be made immediately. When an infield fly rule is called, runners may advance at their own risk. If on an infield fly rule, the infielder intentionally drops a fair ball, the ball remains in play.

Inning

That portion of the game within which the teams alternate on offense and defense and in which there are three outs for each team. Each team's time at bat is a half-inning.

Line Drive

A ball which is batted directly to a fielder without touching the ground.

Offense

The team currently at bat.

Out

A declaration by the umpire that a player who is trying for a base is not entitled to that base.

Outfield

The portion of the playing field that extends beyond the infield and is bordered by the first and third baselines.

Outfielder

A fielder who occupies a position in the outfield.

Pitch

The ball delivered by the pitcher to the batter.

Pitcher

The fielder designated to pitch the ball to the batter.

Quick Return Pitch

An illegal pitch, made with obvious intent to catch the batter off balance.

Run

The score made by an offensive player who has rounded the bases and returned to home plate.

Runner

An offensive player who is advancing toward, touching or returning to any base.

Safe

A declaration by the umpire that a runner who is trying for a base has not been tagged or forced out, and is therefore entitled to that base.

Single

A play in which the batter safely makes it to first base.

Strike

A legal pitch when so called by the umpire, which:

- Is struck at by the batter and missed;
- Is not struck at, if the ball passes through the strike zone;
- Is fouled by the batter when he has less than two strikes;
- Is bunted foul;
- Touches the batter as he strikes at it;
- Touches the batter in flight in the strike zone; or
- After being batted, travels directly from the bat to the catcher's hands and is legally caught by the catcher (foul tip).

Strike Zone

An area directly over home plate, from the bottom of the batter's kneecaps to the midpoint between the top of the batter's shoulders and the top of the batter's uniform pants.

Tag

The action of a fielder in touching a base with his body while holding the ball, or touching a runner with the ball, or with his hand or glove while holding the ball.

Throw

The act of propelling the ball toward a given objective, usually a teammate. A pitch is not a throw.

Top

The first half of an inning.

Triple

A play in which the batter makes it safely to third base without stopping.

Triple Play

A defensive play in which three offensive players are put out as a result of one action.

Umpire

The official who judges the legality of individual plays and who otherwise enforces the rules of the game.