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.
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.
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.
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.
pick-A good defensive play by an infielder on a ground ball. Also a shortened version of "pick-off."
punchout-A strikeout.
rhubarb-A fight or scuffle.
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.
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.
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.
whiff-Strikeout.
