Baseball Terminology

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Date:

Instructions: Test your knowledge of the language used on the diamond!

1.
In baseball, what is a 'balk'?
A
A swing and a miss on a third strike
B
A pitch that bounces before home plate
C
An illegal motion by the pitcher that deceives base runners
D
A foul ball hit behind the catcher
2.
What does 'RBI' stand for in baseball statistics?
A
Runs Before Innings
B
Right Batter Index
C
Run Batted In
D
Runner Base Indicator
3.
What is a 'Texas Leaguer' in baseball?
A
A pitch thrown sidearm
B
A bloop hit that falls between infielders and outfielders
C
A sliding catch in the outfield
D
A player from a minor league team in Texas
4.
What does 'ERA' measure in baseball?
A
The number of errors a fielder commits
B
A batter's on-base percentage
C
A team's overall win-loss record
D
The average number of earned runs a pitcher allows per nine innings
5.
What is a 'squeeze play' in baseball?
A
A defensive alignment against a left-handed batter
B
A bunt designed to score a runner from third base
C
A double play turned by the middle infielders
D
An intentional walk
6.
In baseball, what is a 'can of corn'?
A
A pitch right down the middle
B
A pop-up behind home plate
C
A concession stand item
D
An easy fly ball to catch
7.
What is a 'knuckleball'?
A
A pitch thrown with the knuckles to minimize spin
B
A ground ball hit off the batter's hands
C
A fastball thrown at maximum velocity
D
A pitch that curves sharply downward
8.
What does 'going yard' mean in baseball slang?
A
Running to the bullpen
B
Hitting a home run
C
Striking out looking
D
Making an error in the outfield
9.
What is a 'pickle' in baseball?
A
A runner caught between two bases in a rundown
B
A damaged baseball
C
A controversial call by the umpire
D
A pitch that hits the batter
10.
In baseball, what is 'the hot corner'?
A
Third base
B
The dugout
C
The pitcher's mound
D
Home plate
11.
What is a 'perfect game' in baseball?
A
A game decided by a grand slam
B
A game with no errors by either team
C
A game where every starter gets a hit
D
A game where no opposing batter reaches base
12.
What does 'WHIP' stand for in pitching statistics?
A
Wins Held In Postseason
B
Weighted Home-run Impact Percentage
C
Wild High Inside Pitch
D
Walks and Hits per Inning Pitched
13.
What is a 'changeup' in baseball?
A
A switch from batting left-handed to right-handed
B
A substitution of one pitcher for another
C
A mid-inning position change
D
An off-speed pitch designed to look like a fastball
14.
In baseball, what is a 'twin killing'?
A
Two home runs in the same inning
B
A game swept in a doubleheader
C
Two strikeouts in a row
D
A double play
15.
What does 'painting the corners' mean in baseball?
A
Positioning outfielders near the foul lines
B
Throwing pitches that barely catch the edges of the strike zone
C
Decorating the dugout
D
Running the bases efficiently

Answer Key

Question 1

C. An illegal motion by the pitcher that deceives base runners

A balk is an illegal motion by the pitcher while runners are on base. When called, all runners advance one base.

Question 2

C. Run Batted In

RBI stands for Run Batted In, a statistic credited to a batter when their action causes a run to score.

Question 3

B. A bloop hit that falls between infielders and outfielders

A Texas Leaguer is a softly hit fly ball that drops safely between the infielders and outfielders for a base hit.

Question 4

D. The average number of earned runs a pitcher allows per nine innings

ERA stands for Earned Run Average and measures the average number of earned runs a pitcher allows per nine innings pitched.

Question 5

B. A bunt designed to score a runner from third base

A squeeze play is a strategy where the batter bunts to allow a runner on third base to score. It can be a 'safety squeeze' or a riskier 'suicide squeeze.'

Question 6

D. An easy fly ball to catch

A 'can of corn' is slang for an easy fly ball. The term likely comes from old-time grocers catching cans knocked off high shelves.

Question 7

A. A pitch thrown with the knuckles to minimize spin

A knuckleball is a pitch thrown with minimal spin, using the fingertips or knuckles, causing it to flutter unpredictably through the air.

Question 8

B. Hitting a home run

'Going yard' is baseball slang for hitting a home run, as the ball leaves the yard (the playing field).

Question 9

A. A runner caught between two bases in a rundown

A pickle is when a base runner is trapped between two bases while fielders throw the ball back and forth trying to tag them out, also called a rundown.

Question 10

A. Third base

Third base is called 'the hot corner' because right-handed pull hitters often hit hard line drives toward the third baseman.

Question 11

D. A game where no opposing batter reaches base

A perfect game occurs when a pitcher (or combination of pitchers) retires every batter faced -- no hits, walks, errors, or hit batsmen -- for the entire game.

Question 12

D. Walks and Hits per Inning Pitched

WHIP stands for Walks and Hits per Inning Pitched and measures how many base runners a pitcher allows per inning.

Question 13

D. An off-speed pitch designed to look like a fastball

A changeup is an off-speed pitch thrown with the same arm motion as a fastball but with reduced velocity, designed to deceive the batter on timing.

Question 14

D. A double play

A 'twin killing' is another term for a double play, where two offensive players are put out during the same continuous action.

Question 15

B. Throwing pitches that barely catch the edges of the strike zone

'Painting the corners' describes a pitcher who throws with exceptional control, placing pitches on the edges of the strike zone where they are hardest to hit.

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