Softball Terms

Must Know
at bat   the player at home plate trying to hit the ball.
backstop   a fence behind home plate to stop the ball if the catcher misses it.
ball   a pitch which is outside the strike zone, which the hitter doesn't swing at.
base   the square bag located at each corner of the infield.
base coaches   the coaches standing in the boxes close to 1st and 3rd bases.
base hit   a hit which allows the batter to reach first, second or third base.
bases loaded   runners on first, second and third bases.
batter   the member of the hitting team currently at the plate.
batter's box   either side of home plate, where the batter stands when "at bat".
batting order   the order in which the hitter's take their turn to come up and bat.
bunt   an attempt to hit the ball by tapping it with no swing (usually as a surprise).
center field   the middle part of the outfield, behind 2nd base.
count   the total number of balls and strikes against a hitter.
diamond   the name for the infield, marking out the four bases.
double   a base hit which allows the hitter to reach second base.
double play   a fielding play in which 2 hitters/runners are called out.
drive in a run   a batter making a hit which brings a base runner in to score.
dug out   the area in which the team sits when they aren't on the field of play.
fair   a ball hit that stays within the foul lines between 1st and 3rd base.
fielder   a defensive player, there are 9 fielders, one of whom is the pitcher.
fly ball   a ball hit high into the air.
force out   an on-base runner arrives at a base after a fielder on it catches the ball.
foul   a ball hit that falls outside of the foul lines between 1st and 3rd base.
foul lines   the lines that extend from home base through first and third bases.
full count   a count with three balls and two strikes.
grand slam   a home run hit with the bases loaded (scoring 4 runs).
ground ball   a ball hit along the ground.
home plate   the base over which a strike is thrown and a runner touches to score a run.
home plate umpire   the umpire at home plate, who calls strikes and balls.
home run   a hit over the outside wall, or which allows a runner to reach home base.
infield   the area of the field inside the bases and base paths.
infielder   a defensive player who fields in and around the infield.
innings   a game is divided into (5) innings.
inside pitch    a pitch thrown on the side of the plate closest to the hitter.
lead off batter   the first hitter in an inning.
left field   the side of the outfield behind 3rd base.
left on base   a runner who is "stranded" on a base after the 3rd out of the inning.
line up   the batting order.
on deck   the batter who follows the hitter currently at the plate.
on deck circle  the area where the "on deck" batter warms up.
out   when a hitter or runner is removed from the field of play by the fielding side.
outfield   the area of the field beyond the infield.
outfielder   a fielder who occupies the outfield.
outside pitch    a pitch thrown on the side of the plate away from the hitter.
pitch   the throw made by a pitcher to the hitter.
pitcher's mound   the mound in the centre of the infield where the pitcher stands.
pitcher's plate   a plate in the middle of the pitching mound.
plate   the base at home, over which pitchers have to throw the ball to get a strike.
pop up/pop fly   a fly ball in the infield.
RBI (runs batted in)   any time a hitter gets a hit, a base on balls, or sacrifices and a run scores.
right field   the side of the outfield behind 1st base.
safe   a runner reaching base before the ball, without being tagged.
single   a base hit which allows the hitter to reach first base.
slide   an attempt to get on base where the runner slides in feet first or head first.
steal   a runner moving from one base to the next without the batter hitting the ball.
strike   a pitch within the strike zone, or swung at and missed by the hitter.
strike zone   the area above the hitter's knees, below the chest, across home plate.
strike out   an out where the pitcher retires the hitter with three strikes.
swinging strike   a strike in which the hitter swings at a pitch and misses it.
tag   an out in which a fielder with the ball tags a runner trying to reach base.
tagging up   a runner waiting on a base ready to run once a fly ball catch is completed.
taking a lead   a runner who inches away from a base to get ahead.
top half of the inning   the half inning of the first team (always the visiting team).
triple   a base hit which allows the hitter to reach third base.
triple play   a fielding play in which 3 hitters/runners are called out.
walk   a free trip to first base after the pitcher throws 4 balls to one hitter.
wild pitch   a pitch not caught by the catcher, and considered to be the pitcher's fault.

 

Good to Know
ground rule double   a hit automatically awarded when a hit lands fair but bounces out of play.
infield fly rule   the rule that prevents the fielding side from deliberately dropping an easy catch to then make a double.
line drive   a batted ball which travels low and fast in the air.
no hitter   a game in which the pitcher does not concede a single base hit.
perfect game   a game in which the pitcher does not allow a single runner on base.
reliever   any pitcher who comes in after the starting pitcher.
rundown   a runner caught between bases and chased down by two fielders.
runners on the corners   base runners at first and third base (but not second).
sacrifice   a hitter deliberately sacrificing the out to advance a runner a base.
scoring position   a base runner on 2nd or 3rd base, who can score on a single.
slugger   a hitter who tends to get extra base hits (including home runs).
south paw   a left handed pitcher.
walk off home run   a home run scored in the bottom of the final inning to win the game.