Glossary of baseball (I) facts for kids

Baseball has many unique words and phrases that describe plays, players, and situations. This glossary helps you understand some of these terms, especially those starting with the letter "I". Learning these terms will help you better understand and enjoy the game of baseball!

Baseball Terms Starting with 'I'

Ice Cream Cone

This term is another way to say snow cone. It describes when a fielder catches a fly ball, but the ball is barely held in the tip of their glove, like an ice cream cone.

I Have It. You Get It.

This phrase is yelled by baseball players when two fielders are running for the same fly ball. They are both unsure who should catch it. Sometimes, this confusion causes both players to miss the ball! If they miss, the player who had the best chance to catch it might get an error.

Immaculate Inning

An immaculate inning is super rare and impressive! It happens when a pitcher strikes out all three batters in one half of an inning, using exactly nine pitches. That's three pitches per batter, all strikes!

In the Batter's Eyes

When a pitcher throws a fastball that is very high, almost at the batter's eye level, it's called "in the batter's eyes." This pitch is usually above the strike zone, so it's a ball. It's hard for the batter to hit, but also hard to ignore.

Infield Fly Rule Explained

The infield fly rule is a special rule that helps keep the game fair. An umpire calls the batter out automatically if:

• There are fewer than two outs in the inning.
• The batter hits a fly ball that an infielder can easily catch in fair territory.
• There are runners on first and second base, or the bases are loaded.

The umpire will usually yell, "Infield fly, batter's out!" This rule stops fielders from intentionally dropping the ball to get easy force outs on the runners. It has been a rule since 1895!

Infielder Positions

An infielder is a player who plays on the infield dirt. These players are the First baseman, second baseman, third baseman, and the shortstop. The pitcher and catcher are usually not called infielders. However, for the Infield Fly Rule, they can be counted as infielders if they are positioned in the infield.

Inherited Runner

An inherited runner is a player who is already on base when a new relief pitcher comes into the game. If these runners score, the runs are usually blamed on the *previous* pitcher, not the new one. This is because the previous pitcher allowed them to get on base. Baseball box scores often show how many inherited runners a new pitcher had and how many of them scored.

In Jeopardy

A baserunner is "in jeopardy" when they are not safely touching a base and the ball is live. If a runner is in jeopardy, a fielder can tag them out. For example, if a runner overruns second or third base, they are in jeopardy until they return to the base.

Injured List

When a player gets hurt, major league teams can put them on the injured list. This allows the team to bring up another player from their minor league team to play while the injured player recovers. It's a temporary way to manage the team's active roster.

Inning Structure

A baseball inning has two halves. In each half, one team tries to score runs until three outs are made. A full inning has six outs, three for each team. A regulation game usually has nine innings. The first half is the top half (when the visiting team bats), and the second half is the bottom half or home half (when the home team bats). The break between them is the middle of the inning.

Innings Eater

An innings eater is a pitcher who can reliably pitch many innings in a game. They might be a starting pitcher or a relief pitcher. Their job is to pitch for a long time, either to keep their team in the game or to save other pitchers in the bullpen.

Inside Baseball Strategy

Inside baseball is an offensive strategy that focuses on teamwork and smart plays. It usually involves tactics that keep the ball in the infield, like walks, base hits, bunts, and stolen bases. This was a very popular strategy during the Dead Ball Era. Today, it's often called small ball.

Inside the Ball (Swing)

When a hitter keeps their hands and the bat close to their body during a swing, they are said to be "inside the ball." This helps them hit the ball to all parts of the field. It's a sign of good hitting technique.

Inside-Out Swing

An inside-out swing happens when a batter swings at a pitch with their hands leading the bat head. For a right-handed hitter, this often makes the ball go towards the right side of the field. Famous players like Derek Jeter were known for their inside-out swings.

Inside-the-Park Home Run

An inside-the-park home run is a very exciting play! It's when a hitter scores a home run without hitting the ball out of the park. The ball stays in play, and the hitter runs around all the bases before the fielders can get the ball back to the plate.

Insurance Run

An insurance run is a run scored by a team that is already winning. These extra runs don't change who is ahead, but they act like "insurance" in case the other team scores later. It gives the leading team a bigger cushion.

Intentional Pass/Walk

These are other terms for an intentional base on balls. It's when the pitcher purposely throws four balls to a batter to put them on base, usually to set up a better defensive situation.

Interference

Interference is when someone illegally changes how a play is supposed to happen. This can be done by players, coaches, umpires, or even fans. The rules cover different types of interference, and it usually results in an out or a runner being sent back.

Interleague Play

Interleague play means that teams from different major leagues play against each other during the regular season. This allows teams that are natural rivals, especially those in the same city (like crosstown rivals), to play more often. Before interleague play, these teams would only meet in the playoffs.

Internet Baseball Awards

Since 1997, Baseball Prospectus has held online polls for the Internet Baseball Awards. Fans can vote for categories like Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, and Cy Young Award winner. These are different from the official awards given by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Interstate (Batting Average)

When a player's batting average is below .200, it's sometimes called "interstate." For example, a player hitting .195 might be said to be "on I-95." This is a funny reference to the numbering of the Interstate Highway System. It's similar to the Mendoza Line, which is a batting average of .200.

In the Books

When a game is "in the books," it means the game is officially over. Long-time New York Mets radio announcer Howie Rose famously ends every Mets win by saying, "Put it in the books!"

In the Hole (Multiple Meanings)

This phrase has a few meanings in baseball:

• A space on the field: It refers to the areas between the first baseman and second baseman, or between the shortstop and third baseman. A ground ball hit "in the hole" often becomes a hit.
• Up to bat next: A batter who is "in the hole" is scheduled to bat after the on-deck batter.
• An unfavorable count: A pitcher is "in the hole" with a 3-0 count (three balls, zero strikes). A batter is "in the hole" with a 0-2 count (zero balls, two strikes).

In the (His) Kitchen

When a pitcher throws a pitch "in the kitchen," it means the pitch is thrown very close to the hitter's body, making it hard for them to swing comfortably.

In Play (Multiple Meanings)

"In play" also has a few meanings:

• Game status: A game is "in play" when the umpire says "play ball" at the start or after a break.
• Ball status: A batted ball is "in play" until the play ends, the umpire calls it foul, or there's interference. Even a ball hit into foul territory is in play if it's in the air and a fielder can catch it.
• Sabermetrics: In baseball statistics (called sabermetrics), "ball in play" is used to calculate "batting average on balls in play" (BABIP). This calculation does not include home runs, even though they are fair balls.

IO (In and Out)

IO is a short way to say "infield and outfield practice." It's a drill where players take their positions and practice fielding ground balls and fly balls.