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BASEBALL:
 Baseball
is the most popular sport in the United States. Some call it the national
sport. "Major League" baseball teams have the best professional players
and more "fans" or people who watch the games. A baseball team has nine
people: the pitcher, the catcher, first, second and third basemen, the
shortstop, the left, middle and right fielders. Baseball is played on
four bases, first, second, third and home, on a diamond shaped field.
The pitcher, the catcher, the basemen and the shortstop play in the infield.
The fielders play in the "outfield" or the area around the infield. The
pitcher throws (pitches) a ball to a "batter" on the opposing team, who
tries to hit this ball with a "bat" and run around the bases. He gets
a "hit"unless 1) the ball is caught before it hits the ground; 2) he is
"tagged" with the ball when he is not on a base or 3) the ball is thrown
and caught at first base, and in some circumstances at other bases, before
he gets there. The batter is allowed three "strikes"
and then he "strikes' out. A strike is any ball which crosses the plate
between the top of the batter's shoulders and his knees and is not hit
by the batter. A "ball" is any pitched ball which is outside this strike
zone and is not swung at by the batter. The batter is allowed to "walk"
to first base if the pitcher throws four or more "balls". Players make
an "error" if they make a mistake on a "play" that should have resulted
in an out.
Each team
bats until it makes thee outs. An "inning" has been played when both teams
have made three outs. A game is nine innings unless the score is "tied"
at the end of nine innings. Then the game is played extra innings until
one team has more "runs" at the end of the extra innings. A run is scored
when a player runs around all the bases and touches the last or "home"
plate or base. The team with the most "runs" win
THE
PLAYING FIELD
IDIOM:
play ball; Let's play ball. any sport which uses a ball, primarily baseball
MEANING 1:
to play a ball game with someone
SENTENCE
1: Let's play ball.
MEANING
2: to do business with someone, to cooperate
SENTENCE 2: Let's play ball and start negotiating the contract.
DERIVATION:
Coaches in the 1920's used the term to get their teams to work together
and play well.
IDIOM::
pitch (verb)
primarily baseball
MEANING
1: to throw or toss
SENTENCE
1: The pitcher pitched a fast one to the batter and he struck out.
MEANING 2:
to give something to someone
SENTENCE 2:
Pitch the project to the graphic artist to finish.
DERIVATION:
Cricket was a popular sport before baseball developed in the nineteenth
century. A thrown ball in cricket is a "pitch" and the criquet playing
field is known as the "pitch". It may be that the word "pitch" came into
baseball terminology from cricket.
IDIOM:
pitch (noun)
primarily baseball
MEANING 1:
a throw or toss
SENTENCE
1: The pitcher made a fast pitch to the batter.
MEANING 2:
to support
SENTENCE
2: He made a pitch for the Republican party at last nights' dinner. How
to Play the Game Page
IDIOM:
keep pitching
primarily baseball
MEANING 1:
to continue to throw the ball
SENTENCE 1:
He kept pitching the ball even though he was injured.
MEANING
2: to continue to work on something
SENTENCE
2: Keep pitching. The boss will recognize your good work.
IDIOM:
in there pitching
MEANING
1: throwing the ball or another object such as a horseshoe
SENTENCE
1: He is in there pitching the ball to the batter.
MEANING 2:
trying hard to do one's best
SENTENCE
2: Jane is always in there pitching for our legal team.
IDIOM:
make a pitch (for someone or something)
MEANING 1:
to throw, toss or hurl an object
SENTENCE
1: The President of the U.S. introduced Gorbochov to the game of horseshoe
pitching and asked him to make a pitch .
MEANING 2:
to offer something, to support someone or something
SENTENCE
2: The actor will make a pitch for the new product on TV.
IDIOM:
pitch (throw) someone a curve/ curveball
MEANING 1:
to pitch a curve ball to the batter in baseball
SENTENCE
1: A curve ball moves away from the batter and s difficult to hit.
MEANING 2:
to surprise someone unpleasantly
SENTENCE
2: I am sorry I couldn't answer the question. He threw a curve when he
asked me about last years figures.
IDIOM:
have something on the ball, a lot on the ball, on the ball baseball
MEANING
1: to throw a ball with a twist, curve etc,
SENTENCE
1: The pitcher has something on the ball and struck out the batter. Elroy
Face put a lot on the ball. He had a split-fingered fast ball.
MEANING 2:
capable and skilled
SENTENCE
2: We should hire her. She has a lot on the ball.
DERIVATION:
In baseball, the pitcher plays a more important role than in the English
"rounders" from which baseball developed (The first baseballl game was
played in l847). By spinning the ball, usually by using saliva or "spit",
American pitchers could strike out batters easily. He was then said to
"have something on the ball". The expression was soon used to mean anyone
who is effective or skilled at what he does. In 1920 the "spitball" rule
began. This stated that any pitcher putting any "foreign substance" on
the ball would be suspended from playing.
IDIOM:
fast ball
baseball
MEANING 1:
a ball thrown fast by the pitcher. Balls can be thrown as fast as ninety
to a hundred miles an hour.
SENTENCE
1: The pitcher threw a fast ball and struck out the batter.
MEANING 2:
to not understand a statement or fact; to lose an opportunity because
an opponent or competitor is quicker.
SENTENCE
2: I'm sorry I didn't get the contract. Their team threw a fast ball .
They talked to the boss first.
IDIOM:
ball park
baseball
MEANING 1:
place where baseball is played
SENTENCE
1: Let's go to the ball park on Saturday and see the Mets play.
MEANING
2: a general , rather than precise figure; a "ballpark" implies a rather
large area.
SENTENCE 2:
I need a ball park figure on what the contract will cost.
DERIVATION:
The term ball park is derived from the time when baseball was played before
a few people in parks rather than stadiums.
IDIOM:
out of the ball park
MEANING 1:
outside the stadium or ball park where the game is played
SENTENCE 1:
Willie Stargill could hit the ball out of the ball park. He was the only
man to hit two balls out of Dodger Stadium.
MEANING 2:
too far out; too much
SENTENCE
2: That's out of the ball park. I can't pay that much.
IDIOM:
in the ball park
MEANING 1:
within the park or stadium where the game is being played
SENTENCE 1:
The ball was hit hard, but stayed in the ball park.
MEANING 2:
an acceptable figure or proposal
SENTENCE
2: Give me a ball park figure on that estimate for the car repair.
IDIOM:
pinchhit for someone baseball
MEANING 1:
to substitute for someone
SENTENCE
1: We need a run in. John, will you pinchhit for the pitcher?
MEANING
2: to substitute for someone
SENTENCE
2: Mary, will you please pinchhit for John on this account, while he is
on vacation?
DERIVATION:
A batter who is not in the lineup for a particular date can pinchhit for
another batter.
IDIOM:
go to bat for baseball
MEANING 1:
in baseball a batter can "pinch hit" or substitute for another batter
SENTENCE
1: Send in the first baseman to bat for the pitcher.
MEANING
2: to substitute for someone; to support someone
SENTENCE
2: Will you go to bat for Jane? She's trying to get a promotion.
IDIOM:
strike out; struck out (past tense)
baseball
MEANING 1:
The baseball player has three strikes and is out for that time at bat.
SENTENCE 1: Strike out the batter.\
MEANING
2: to fail at doing something.
SENTENCE
2: If he doesn't get the appointment, he will strike out. He tried to
get the appointment and struck out.
IDIOM:
minor league (player or team)
baseball
MEANING 1:
a baseball player or team that is good, but not the best.
SENTENCE
1: Dom DiMaggio played for the San Francisco Seals, a minor league team,
before he went to the Boston Red Sox.
MEANING
2: a person, business or other entity that is not the most important.
SENTENCE 2:
The Blue Corporation is a minor league business. Go to the boss; Jerry
is a minor league player.
DERIVATION:
A minor league baseball team plays in small towns and cities. Minor leagues
train baseball players for the major leagues.
IDIOM:
major league (player or team)
primarily baseball, but can be other team sports such as professional
football
MEANING 1:
Major league baseball or football teams are the best teams.
SENTENCE 1:
The New York Yankees is a major league baseball team. Darrell Strawberry
was a major league player.
MEANING 2:
The most important person or business.
SENTENCE
2: The president of the Ford Motor Corporation is a major league player.
IDIOM:
be in the big leagues
primarily baseball
MEANING 1:
same as "to be in the major leagues"
SENTENCE
1: Jackie Robinson was the first black player to be in the big leagues.
MEANING
2: to be a big shot, to be a major player, to be well-known
SENTENCE 2:
You're in the big leagues now.
IDIOM:
out in left field.
baseball
MEANING 1:
to be out in the left field of the baseball park
SENTENCE
1: Hank Aaron was a outfielder. He played left field.*
MEANING 2:
to be away from the action, from what's happening
SENTENCE
2: He's out in left field. He won't be used on this mediation team.
* Please
note: "Out in left field" does not have a negative connotation in the
literal sense. Some of the U.S.' best ball players have been leftfielders.
However, in the derrivative form it does.
IDIOM:
get to first base
baseball
MEANING 1:
A player is out if he doesn't hit the ball hard enough to get to first
base and is tagged out. . If he gets to first base, he may score a run.
SENTENCE
1: The batter hit a line drive and got to first base
MEANING
2: to advance something, to do well enough to get a good start on something
SENTENCE
2: I wish I could get to first base with my boss.
IDIOM:
drop the ball
primarily baseball
MEANING 1:
to make an error, to drop a ball in sports
SENTENCE
1: Willie Mays, who played for the San Francisco Giants, rarely dropped
a ball.
MEANING 2:
to blunder, to fail in some way
SENTENCE
2: We sure dropped the ball that time. We forgot the number How to Play
the Game
IDIOM:
play hardball
baseball
MEANING
1: as opposed to soft ball, to throw a hard ball
SENTENCE
1: We play hardball in regular baseball. A softer ball is used in softball.
MEANING 2:
to play tough,to play to win
SENTENCE
2: Let's play hardball on this contract. I want to come in at a lower
price.
IDIOM:
take a rain check baseball
MEANING 1:
If the game is rained out, the patron gets a coupon or ra ncheck to go
another time.
SENTENCE
1: The game was canceled because of the rain. They took a raincheck for
another day.
MEANING 2:
to change a date, a time for meeting
SENTENCE 2:
Let's take a rain check for that dinner date. We can come next week.
IDIOM:
two strikes against you
baseball
MEANING 1:
The batter has only one more strike before he is out.
SENTENCE 1:
He hit a home run into left field with two strikes against him.
MEANING 2:
to have one more chance
SENTENCE
2: He had two strikes against him when he interviewed for the job. He
had been in prison and had never had a job.
DERIVATION:
The word "strike" probably is derived from the English game cricket. A
batter in cricket is a "striker" .
IDIOM:
bases are loaded
baseball
MEANING 1:
There are men on all bases except home base.
SENTENCE
1: The bases are loaded and their best hitter is up to bat.
MEANING 2:
to have an advantage
SENTENCE 2:
Our bases are loaded. We should win the contract. We have more money and
expertise than they do.
IDIOM:
two strikes against one and the bases are loaded
baseball
MEANING
1: See the above two idioms.
SENTENCE:
The batter has two strikes against him and the bases are loaded.
MEANING
2: To be in a difficult situation in which you are expected to perform.
SENTENCE 2:
In February of 1991, Saddam Hassein had two strikes against him and the
bases were loaded.
IDIOM:
on base
MEANING 1:
to be safe from being tagged out by having a foot on base
SENTENCE 1:
The bases are loaded; three runners are on base.
MEANING
2: One is doing the job correctly and according to what is expected.
SENTENCE
2: He's doing a good job with that case. He's on base in his approach
to the jury.
IDIOM:
off base
baseball
MEANING 1:
the runner or player has taken a position away from the base he has touched
previously in the game
SENTENCE
1: The runner was thrown out, because he wasoff base
MEANING 2:
a person or project is not where it should be,
SENTENCE
2: She is off base when she talks about religion during working hours.
IDIOM:
touch base with someone
primarily baseball
MEANING 1:
to touch a base in any sport with bases
SENTENCE
1: The batter touched base and was safe.
MEANING 2:
to talk to someone about something
SENTENCE
2: I need to touch base with the firm before I make a final agreement.
DERIVATION:
This idiom could also be derived from the military, ie military base,
where personnel are stationed.
IDIOM:
He's up (to bat).
baseball
MEANING 1:
He is next in the lineup to bat.
SENTENCE
1: There are two on (base) and Babe Ruth is up.
MEANING 2:
He or she is next.
SENTENCE
2: You're up. They want you to speak next.
IDIOM:
have a hit (noun); hit (adjective) primarily baseball
MEANING 1:
to reach base, without being called "out", after hitting a ball
SENTENCE
1: Joe DiMaggio had the longest hitting streak in baseball history, fifty-six
consecutive hits, a total of 91 hits, in 1941.
MEANING 2:
to do well, to be recognized for something by the public
IDIOM:
make a hit with someone or something
primarily baseball
MEANING 1:
to score a hit in baseball or in another ball sport
SENTENCE
1: Hank Aaron got three hits in the world series. He ranks third in runs
and hits. He was a great hitter.
MEANING
2: to do well
SENTENCE
2: He made a hit with his girlfriend when he took her out to dinner.
IDIOM:
home run
baseball
MEANING
1: to hit the ball so hard that the batter can circle the bases and score
a run SENTENCE 1: Barry Bonds hit 70 home runs
in 2001.
MEANING 2:
to do something very well. to be a winner
SENTENCE
2: You scored a home run with that presentation. I think we'll get the
contract."
IDIOM:
That's (it's) a homerun.
SENTENCE
2: That's a homerun. Your good work got you the contract.
IDIOM:
knock one out of the ball park
baseball
MEANING1
: to hit a ball out of the baseball park
SENTENCE
1: Babe Ruth knocked the ball out of Yankee Stadium.
MEANING 2:
to have a great idea, to do something extremely well.
SENTENCE
2: The President knocked one out of the ballpark at the NATO meeting.
IDIOM:
new ball game any game in which a ball is used, primarily baseball
MEANING
1: a change in circumstances in the ball game, ie the game is tied after
one team was ahead.
SENTENCE
1: The Dodgers scored four runs and it was a new ball game
MEANING 2:
a new set of circumstances
SENTENCE
2: Now that we have the financing, it's a new ball game.
IDIOM:
step up to the plate
MEANING 1:
The batter steps up to the plate and gets ready to hit the ball.
SENTENCE
1: The batter looked for coaching signals as he stepped up to the plate.
MEANING 2:
Anyone in any occupation who gets ready to do something.
SENTENCE
2: Step up to the plate and start your schoolwork.
SENTENCE
2: You have a hit with your new spring clothing line. Madonna has had
many hit songs. How to Play the Game
IDIOM: another ball game
baseball or other ball games
MEANING 1:
A new game has started.
SENTENCE
1: Let's beat them this time. It's another ball game.
MEANING 2:
The old idea, event or business deal is over. One has a better chance
of winning or achieving a goal this time.
SENTENCE
2: Now that we have a new manager, it's another ball game.
IDIOM:
That's the ball game. any game in which a ball is used, primarily baseball
MEANING 1:
The game is over.
SENTENCE
1: That's the ball game. They won eight to seven.
MEANING 2:
It is finished.
SENTENCE 2: That's the ball game. They got the contract.
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