Baseball terminology from One Outs

At-bat: In baseball, an at bat (AB) or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage.

BA (Batting Average): In baseball, the batting average (BA) is defined as the ratio of hits to at bats.

Balk: In baseball, a pitcher may commit a number of illegal motions or actions which constitute a balk. The balk is called “no pitch” and each runner is awarded one base and the batter returns to bat with the previous pitch count.

Battery: In baseball, the term battery refers collectively to the pitcher and the catcher, who may also be called batterymen.

Breaking ball: Any pitch that markedly deviates from a “straight” or expected path due to a spin used by the pitcher to achieve the desired effect. Some examples are the curveball, the slider and the screwball.

Bunt: To deliberately bat the ball weakly to a particular spot on the infield by holding the bat nearly still and letting the ball hit it. Typically, a bunt is used to advance other runners and is then referred to as a sacrifice bunt.

Choke up: A batter “chokes up” by sliding his hands up from the knob end of the bat to give him more control over his bat. It reduces the power and increases the control.

Cleanup hitter: In baseball, the cleanup hitter is the hitter who bats fourth in the lineup. Cleanup hitters often have the most power on the team and are typically the team’s best all-around hitter; their job is to “clean up the bases”, hence the name.

Count: Pair of numbers referring to balls and strikes. For example, 2-1, refers to two balls and one strike. In Japan, the count is reversed to 1-2. Our subs will have 2-1 though.

ERA (Earned Run Average): In baseball statistics, earned run average (ERA) is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched.

Full Count: When the count is 3-2 (3 balls, 2 strikes).

Hit: In baseball statistics, a hit (denoted by H), sometimes called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder’s choice.

Pennant Race: A pennant race is when baseball teams play against each other in order to win their division or league to reach the post season.

RBI: Run batted in or RBI is a statistic used in baseball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play.

Relief pitcher: A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, ejection from the game or fatigue.

Shift: Where all infielders and/or outfielders position themselves clockwise or counter-clockwise from their usual position. This is to anticipate a batted ball from a batter who tends to hit to one side of the field.

Three Up, Three Down: To face just three batters in an inning. Having a “three up, three down inning” is the goal of any pitcher.