Glossary of baseball (A) facts for kids

Baseball is a super fun sport with its own special language! Sometimes, when you're watching a game or reading about it, you might hear words that don't make sense. This guide will help you understand some of the cool terms used in baseball, especially those starting with the letter 'A'.

Baseball Terms Starting with 'A'

A-Ball or Single-A

"Single-A" is one of the lower levels in minor league baseball. Think of it as a step where players are still learning and getting better. There are different kinds of Single-A, like "High-A," "Low-A," and "Short-Season A." Leagues like the California League and Florida State League are examples of Single-A.

Double-A (AA)

"Double-A" (AA) is the second-highest level of minor league baseball. It's just below the top level, which is called Triple-A. Leagues like the Eastern League and the Southern League are Double-A.

"AA" can also mean the American Association, which was the name of a few different professional baseball leagues over the years.

Triple-A (AAA)

"Triple-A" is the highest level of minor league baseball. Players here are usually very close to playing in the Major Leagues. Some Triple-A leagues include the Pacific Coast League and the International League.

Quadruple-A Player (AAAA Player)

A "Four-A player" is someone who is really good in the minor leagues, especially at the Triple-A level. However, they find it hard to play just as well when they get a chance in the Major Leagues. They might be amazing in the minors but struggle to stick with a big league team.

Aboard

When a player is safely on one of the bases (first, second, or third), they are said to be "aboard." If there are players on bases, you might hear that there are "runners aboard."

Ace

The "ace" is the best starting pitcher on a baseball team. This pitcher is usually the first one to pitch in a series of games because they are the most reliable and talented.

Advance a Runner

To "advance a runner" means to help a player who is already on base move to the next base. This often happens when a batter hits the ball in a way that allows the runner to move forward, even if the batter gets out. Sometimes, a batter might even try to get out on purpose (called a sacrifice) just to help a runner move closer to scoring.

Ahead in the Count

This term tells you who has the advantage during a batter's turn at bat.

• If the pitcher has thrown more strikes than balls, the pitcher is "ahead in the count." This means the batter is in danger of striking out.
• If the pitcher has thrown more balls than strikes, the batter is "ahead in the count." This means the pitcher is in danger of walking the batter (giving them a free pass to first base).

Aim the Ball

When a pitcher tries too hard to put the ball in a very specific spot, they might be said to "aim the ball." This can sometimes make their pitches less effective than if they just threw naturally. This is different from a pitcher aiming to hit a batter, which is not allowed.

Airmail

"Airmail" is a slang term for a throw by a fielder that goes too high and sails over the head of the player they were trying to throw to. For example, if a third baseman throws the ball over the first baseman's head and into the stands, they "airmailed" the throw.

A throw is airmailed over the head of San Francisco Giants first baseman Pablo Sandoval.

Alley

The "alley," also called the "gap" or "power alley," is the space between the outfielders. This is usually between the left fielder and center fielder, or the right fielder and center fielder. If a batter hits the ball hard into the "alley," it has a good chance of being an extra-base hit, like a double or a triple.

American League (AL)

The American League (AL) is one of the two main leagues that make up Major League Baseball. The other is the National League.

American League Championship Series (ALCS)

The American League Championship Series (ALCS) is a playoff series that happens at the end of the baseball season. It's a best-of-seven series, meaning the first team to win four games wins the series. The winner of the ALCS becomes the American League Champion and gets to play in the World Series. This series started in 1969.

American League Division Series (ALDS)

The American League Division Series (ALDS) is the first round of the playoffs in the American League. The winners of the three divisions and the team that wins the Wild Card Game play in two best-of-five series. The winners of these series then move on to the ALCS.

Annie Oakley

"Annie Oakley" is a slang term for a free ticket to a baseball game. It can also mean a "free pass" or "base on balls," which is when a batter gets to go to first base without hitting the ball because the pitcher threw four balls outside the strike zone.

Appeal Play

An "appeal play" is when the defensive team asks an umpire to make a ruling about a mistake they think the offensive team made. For example, if a runner misses a base, the defense can "appeal" to the umpire to call the runner out. Umpires won't usually call these mistakes unless the defense points them out.

Arizona Fall League (AFL)

The Arizona Fall League (AFL) is a special minor league that plays in the fall. High-level young players from all 30 Major League Baseball teams play here. It's a chance for them to improve their skills and show what they can do for coaches and scouts.

Arm

"Arm" is a slang term for a pitcher. You might hear a commentator say a team traded "two young arms" to mean they traded two young pitchers.

Around the Horn

"Around the horn" is when the infielders throw the ball to each other after an out is made, especially if there are no runners on base. It's a tradition that also helps keep their throwing arms warm. Usually, after an out at first base, the first baseman throws to the shortstop, then to the second baseman, then to the third baseman, who throws it back to the pitcher.

This term is also used to describe a double play that goes from the third baseman to the second baseman to the first baseman (a 5-4-3 double play) or from the shortstop to the second baseman to the first baseman (a 6-4-3 double play).

Arsonist

An "arsonist" is a slang term for a relief pitcher who comes into the game and gives up a lot of runs, even if there were no runners on base when they started pitching. It's the opposite of a "fireman," who is a pitcher who comes in to stop a team from scoring.

Ash

"Ash" is an old-fashioned word for a baseball bat. Most baseball bats are made from ash wood, which is why the term was used.

Aspirin

"Aspirin" is slang for a fastball that is very hard to hit because it's so fast or moves a lot. It's like saying the ball looks as small and hard to hit as an aspirin tablet.

Assist

An "assist" is given to a defensive player who touches or fields the ball after it's hit by the batter, and before an out is made. For example, if a player fields a ground ball and throws it to the first baseman for an out, the player who fielded the ball gets an assist. A player can only get one assist per out.

At 'Em Ball

An "at 'em ball" is a slang term for a ball that is hit directly at a defensive player.

At Bat

An "at bat" is a completed turn for a batter that results in a base hit or an out (that isn't a sacrifice). "At bats" are used to figure out a player's batting average. A "plate appearance" is not counted as an "at bat" if the batter gets a base on balls (a walk), is hit by pitch, or makes a sacrifice bunt or sacrifice fly.

At the Letters

A pitch that crosses the plate at the height of the letters on the batter's uniform shirt is said to be "at the letters," "letter-high," or "chest-high." This usually means it's a good pitch in the strike zone.

Ate Him Up

This is a slang phrase used when a batted ball is very difficult for a fielder to handle, almost like the ball "ate up" the fielder because it was so tricky.

Attack the Strike Zone

To "attack the strike zone" means for a pitcher to throw pitches aggressively into the strike zone, rather than trying to trick batters with pitches outside the zone. It's also called "pounding the strike zone" or "challenging the hitters."

Automatic Double

An "automatic double" happens when a ball is hit into fair territory and then bounces out of play (like into the stands). When this happens, the batter and all runners on base get to advance exactly two bases. This is also known as a ground rule double.

Automatic Strike

An "automatic strike" is when a pitcher throws a pitch so perfectly into the strike zone, especially on a 3-0 count (three balls, zero strikes), that the batter doesn't even swing because they are so sure it's a strike.

Away

The term "away" has a few meanings in baseball:

• A pitch that is outside the strike zone and on the side of the plate opposite the batter is called "away."
• It's also slang for "outs." For example, if there are two outs in an inning, you might hear it called "two away."
• Games played at an opponent's home field are called "away games." The visiting team is sometimes called the "away" team.

Images for kids

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  A throw is airmailed over the head of San Francisco Giants first baseman Pablo Sandoval.