Glossary of baseball (E) facts for kids

Baseball has many unique words and phrases. This section explains some of the terms that start with the letter 'E'. Understanding these terms will help you enjoy the game even more!

Baseball Terms Starting with 'E'

Early Innings

The early innings of a baseball game are the first three innings. A full game usually has nine innings. These early parts of the game are often where teams try to get a good start.

Earned Run

An earned run is a run that scores because of a pitcher's actions, not because of a mistake by a fielder. If a run scores due to a fielding error or a passed ball, it's called an unearned run. Earned runs are important for calculating a pitcher's earned run average. Even if a pitcher makes an error, it counts the same as an error by any other player.

Earned Run Average (ERA)

Earned Run Average, or ERA, is a statistic that shows how many earned runs a pitcher gives up per nine innings. It helps measure how well a pitcher is doing. To figure it out, you divide the number of earned runs allowed by the innings pitched, then multiply by nine. Runs that happen because of defensive errors are not counted in a pitcher's ERA.

Earnie

An earnie is just another word for an earned run. It's a casual way to say it. For example, "The pitcher gave up six earnies in the first inning."

Easy Out

This term has two meanings in baseball.

• First, it's a reminder to the defense when there are two outs in an inning. It means they only need one more out to end the inning, so they should try for the simplest play possible.
• Second, an easy out can also mean a batter who usually doesn't hit the ball very well. These batters are often found lower down in the batting order.

Eat the Ball

To eat the ball means a fielder catches a batted ball but decides not to throw it to a base. This usually happens when the fielder thinks there's little chance of getting a runner out. Instead of risking a bad throw that could lead to more bases for the runner, they just hold onto the ball. This term is mostly used for infielders, catchers, or pitchers.

Eephus Pitch

An Eephus is a very unusual and slow pitch. It travels in a high arc towards home plate. It was invented by Rip Sewell in the 1930s. Pitchers use it rarely to surprise and confuse batters, making them swing too early or too late. It's not thrown often because if a batter expects it, it can be easy to hit.

Eject

When an umpire ejects a player or coach, it means they are kicked out of the game. This usually happens because of unsportsmanlike conduct, like arguing too much or breaking rules. Other words for being ejected include "tossed," "thrown out," or "booted."

Emergency Starter

An emergency starter is a pitcher who usually comes into the game later as a reliever, or plays in the minor leagues. They are called to start a game on very short notice. This happens when the pitcher who was supposed to start gets injured or becomes sick right before the game.

Emery Ball

An emery ball is a baseball that has been scuffed or roughed up using an emery board. This is a way for a pitcher to illegally change the ball, which is called doctoring the ball. It has been against the rules since 1920 because it makes the ball move in unpredictable ways. It's also known as a scuff ball.

Erase a Runner

To erase a runner means that a runner who was already safely on a base gets thrown out. For example, if a runner is on first base and then tries to steal second but is tagged out, they have been "erased" from the bases.

Error

An error is a mistake made by a fielder that allows a batter or runner to get to a base they shouldn't have reached. It's also an error if a fielder drops a foul fly ball that they should have caught easily. The official scorer decides if a play is an error. Some mistakes by pitchers or catchers, like a "wild pitch" or a "passed ball," are not counted as errors. Other words for an error include "bobble," "muff," or "flub."

Even Count

An even count happens when the number of balls and strikes for a batter are the same. For example, a 1-1 count (one ball, one strike) or a 2-2 count (two balls, two strikes) are both even counts. See also count.

Everyday Player

An everyday player is a position player who plays almost every game. This is different from a pitcher, who only plays every few days. It's also different from a platoon player (who plays only against certain types of pitchers) or a substitute player who usually starts games on the bench.

Evil Empire

Evil Empire is a common nickname for the New York Yankees baseball team. Fans of other teams, especially the Boston Red Sox, use this name because the Yankees have a lot of money and have won many championships. Some Yankees fans even use the name themselves as a proud badge.

Excuse Me Swing

An excuse me swing happens when a batter accidentally hits the ball while trying to stop their swing. This is often called a checked swing. The ball usually goes weakly into play.

Expand the Strike Zone

When a pitcher gets ahead in the count (meaning they have more strikes than balls), they can expand the strike zone. This means the batter is more likely to swing at pitches that are just outside the normal strike zone. The batter feels more pressure to swing so they don't strike out.

Expanded Roster

An expanded roster is a term in Major League Baseball for when teams can have more players than usual. For example, before 2019, teams could add more players to their roster in September, going from 25 players up to 40. This allowed teams to try out new players or rest their main players.

Extend the Arms

When a batter is able to hit a pitch that is at a good distance from their body, they are said to have extended their arms. This allows them to take a full, powerful swing. When a batter extends their arms, they can hit the ball much harder, often leading to home runs or other big hits.

Extra Bases

Extra bases are any bases a batter gains beyond first base on a hit. For example, a double gives one extra base, a triple gives two, and a home run gives three. Hits that result in extra bases are called "extra base hits." These hits are important for a batter's slugging percentage.

Extra Innings

Extra innings are additional innings played when a baseball game is tied after the normal number of innings. Professional games usually have nine innings, while high school games have seven, and Little League games have six. If the score is tied, the game continues until one team is ahead at the end of an inning. This is sometimes called "bonus baseball" because fans get to see more of the game.

Extra Out

An extra out happens when a defensive team makes a mistake that should have been an easy out. This mistake gives the other team an extra chance to score or keep their inning going. Even if it's not officially an error, it's still considered giving the opponent an "extra out."