Hitter's Lingo A-Z
Approach
The mentality and goals a hitter goes into an At-Bat with, depending on the game situation
Bolo
1990s term for hitting a home run
Clutch
The ability to thrive in the most important situations, typically in the late innings in close ballgames
Dead Pull
A hitter who tends to swing hard and get around early on the ball. Dead pull hitters have led to extreme infield positioning shifts
Exit Velocity
A concept created in the last decade, exit velocity is the speed at which a ball travels off of a bat after being hit
Five-Tool Player
A baseball player who is well above average in contact hitting, power hitting, fielding, throwing and speed
Gamer
Someone who lives for the game and feels completely at home on a baseball diamond. Nothing to do with video games
Hitter's Eye
The visual knack for knowing the exact dimensions of the strike zone as a pitch comes toward the plate. Accomplished over time with repetition and discipline
Inside the Ball
An approach to hitting that involves keeping the hands close and quick, resulting in more line drives
K
The official scorer's shorthand term for a strikeout
Liner
Slang for a line drive. Dates back to the 1950s, when major league teams began to fly on planes instead of travel by trains
Meatball
A fastball (or not so fastball) thrown over the center of the plate, ready to hit
Nails
Slang for a baseball player that is as tough as they come, no matter of the skill level. An undeniable presence
Oppo
Short for hitting ball to the opposite field. Right Field for right handed hitters, and Left Field for left handed hitters. The kyrptonite of defensive shifts
Plate Appearance
Every time a batter steps into a batter's box, it qualifies as a Plate Appearance
Quick Hands
Applicable to hitting and fielding. Quick hands can make up for minuscule to minor miscalculations
Seed
A ball hit off the bat anywhere on the diamond that finds its way into the outfield before hitting the ground
Two-Strike Approach
The act of shortening a swing and aiming to put a ball in play by all means possible
Utility Player
A player who can fill in at any position needed at any time for the better of the team. Cardinal Jose Oquendo once played all nine positions in one game in 1988
Velocity
The speed of a thrown pitch
Walk-Off
Any hit (or bases-loaded walk) that results in a win in the bottom of the 9th inning or any bottom of extra innings
Yanks
Short for the most successful franchise in all of sports by 1960. Mediocre since
Zinger
A ball hit very sharply down the left or right field line