Glossary of baseball (O) facts for kids
Baseball has many unique words and phrases! This guide explains some of the terms that start with the letter "O". Knowing these terms will help you understand the game better.
O
Obstruction: When a Fielder Blocks a Runner
Obstruction happens when a baseball player on defense illegally gets in the way of a baserunner. This means the fielder stops the runner from moving freely. However, a fielder is allowed to be in the way if they are actively trying to catch the ball or if they already have the ball and are trying to tag the runner out.
OBP: Understanding On-Base Percentage
See on-base percentage.
O-fer: A Batter with No Hits
An O-fer is when a batter plays a whole game without getting any hits. For example, if a batter goes 0 for 4, it means they had four chances to hit but didn't get any hits. People sometimes say they "wore the collar" or "took the collar."
Official Game: When a Game Counts
An official game is a baseball game that is considered finished and complete. If more than half of the game has been played before an umpire stops it (or "calls" it), then it's official. All the stats from that game, like hits and runs, will count for the players and teams.
For a normal nine-inning game, at least five innings must be played for it to be official. If the home team is winning, it only needs to be 4 and a half innings. If a game isn't official, it might be paused and finished later, or it might be replayed from the start.
Official Scorer: The Game's Record Keeper
The official scorer is a person chosen by the league to write down everything that happens during a game. They send this official record to the league offices. The official scorer usually watches the game from the press box and never goes onto the field.
Their decisions don't change how the game is played or who wins. But they do affect the statistics for players and teams. For example, umpires decide if a pitch is a ball or strike, or if a hit is a home run. But the official scorer decides if a pitch that got past the catcher was a wild pitch or a passed ball. They also decide if a batted ball was a hit or an error.
Off Day: Two Meanings
- Sometimes, an off day means a player isn't performing as well as usual. This could be because they're sick, unlucky, or for other reasons. For example, "Bonderman had an off-day and didn't have good command of his breaking pitches."
- An off day can also mean a day when a team doesn't have a game scheduled. Major League Baseball teams usually play on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Off-days often happen on Mondays and Thursdays, giving players a break or time to travel.
Off-Speed Pitch: A Slower Pitch
An off-speed pitch is a baseball pitch that is much slower than a pitcher's fastball. Common off-speed pitches include a curveball or a change-up.
Off the Hook: When a Pitcher Avoids a Loss
When a team that was losing ties the game or takes the lead, the pitcher who was going to get the loss is now "off the hook". This means they won't be charged with the loss anymore.
Off the Trademark: A Weak Hit
Hitting the ball "off the trademark" means the batter hit the ball on the middle part of the bat, where the company's logo is. This usually results in a weakly hit ball. It often happens when a pitcher jams the hitter, meaning they throw the ball very close to the batter's hands.
OFP: Overall Future Potential
OFP stands for Overall Future Potential. This is a score used by scouts to guess how good a young player might become in the major leagues. The score goes from 20 to 80. The things they look at are different for pitchers and position players.
Ol' Number One: The Fastball
Ol' number one is a nickname for a fastball. It comes from the sign the catcher often gives to call for that pitch.
Olympic Rings: Five Strikeouts in a Game
When a batter strikes out five times in a single game, it's called getting the Olympic rings. This not-so-great achievement is also sometimes called a Glossary of baseball (P)#platinum sombrero.
On a Line: A Strong Throw
When an outfielder throws the ball directly to an infielder or the catcher without it bouncing or needing to be relayed, they are said to "throw the ball on a line". This usually means it was a strong, accurate throw that helped get a runner out. For example, "Jack Barry made a great catch and threw on a line to McInnis for an out."
On-Base Percentage (OBP): How Often a Batter Reaches Base
On-base percentage (OBP) is a stat that shows how often a batter gets on base. This includes getting a hit, a walk, or being hit by a pitch. It does not count if they reach base because of an Glossary of baseball (E)#error or a Glossary of baseball (F)#fielder's choice.
On Deck: The Next Batter Up
The player who is "on deck" is the next batter who will bat after the current one. The area for this player is a circle called the "on-deck circle." Fun fact: the on-deck batter often stands outside the circle!
On His Horse: Running Fast
When a player is "on his horse," it means they are running at full speed. This phrase is often used when an outfielder is chasing down a fly ball.
On the Black: The Edge of the Plate
"On the black" has two meanings:
- It refers to the very edge of home plate. The plate has a black border that is usually buried when it's installed correctly.
- It also describes a pitch that just barely touches the edge of the strike zone. This pitch is often called a Glossary of baseball (S)#strike.
On the Board: Scoring Runs
A team is "on the board" when they have scored one or more runs. This means their score is now visible on the scoreboard. For example, "After being shut out for six innings, the Sox are finally on the board."
On the Farm: Playing in the Minor Leagues
When a player is playing in the minor leagues, they are said to be spending time "on the farm." This refers to a team's farm system, which is where young players develop their skills before playing in the major leagues.
On the Interstate: A Low Batting Average
A player batting between .100 and .199 is said to be "on the interstate." This term comes from the fact that a batting average like .195 looks a bit like an interstate highway number (like I-95). If a batter gets a hit that raises their average above .199, they are "off the interstate." If their average drops below .100, they might be "off the map." Players who stay "on the interstate" for too long in the major leagues might be sent down to Triple-A.
On the Ropes: A Tired Pitcher
When a pitcher seems tired or is losing control of their pitches, they might be described as "on the ropes." This means they are struggling and might soon be replaced by another pitcher. The phrase comes from boxing, where a fighter who is getting beaten might lean on the ropes to stay standing.
On the Rug: Playing on Artificial Turf
A player is said to be "on the rug" when they are playing a ball in the outfield on artificial turf.
On the Throw: Advancing or Getting Out on a Play
"On the throw" describes what happens when a runner tries to advance extra bases during a play where the defense is throwing the ball.
- A runner might advance safely "on the throw" if the defense is focused on another runner.
- A batter who gets a Glossary of baseball (H)#hit but then gets tagged out trying to reach another base on the same play is said to be out "on the throw." For example, if a batter hits a Glossary of baseball (D)#double but gets thrown out trying to reach third base, they still get credit for the double, but they were out "on the throw."
One-Game Wonder: A Brief Major League Career
A one-game wonder is a player who only appears in one major league game. They might play well in that game, but then they are either sent back to the minor leagues or stay on the bench without playing again.
One-Hitter: A Pitcher's Great Game
A one-hitter is a game where one team only gets one Glossary of baseball (H)#hit. This is a fantastic achievement for a Glossary of baseball (P)#pitcher. In a one-hitter, batters might still reach base through walks, errors, or by being hit by a pitch. It's almost as good as a Glossary of baseball (N)#no-hitter or a Glossary of baseball (P)#perfect game.
One-Two-Three Inning: Three Batters, Three Outs
A one-two-three inning is when a pitcher gets three outs using only three batters. This means the side is retired in order, also known as three up, three down.
Opener: A Short-Starting Pitcher
An opener is a type of relief Glossary of baseball (P)#pitcher who starts a game for strategic reasons. They usually pitch for only a short time, often just the first inning. After the opener, another pitcher comes in who is expected to pitch for many more innings, like a regular starter.
Opposite Field Hit: Hitting Away from Your Strong Side
An opposite field hit is when a batter hits the ball to the "opposite" side of the field from their natural Glossary of baseball (S)#swing. For a left-handed batter, this means hitting to left field. For a right-handed batter, it means hitting to right field. This is also known as going the other way.
OPS (On-Base Plus Slugging): Measuring a Batter's Power
OPS stands for On-base Plus Slugging. This is a statistic that helps measure a Glossary of baseball (B)#batter's ability to create runs. It is calculated by adding a batter's slugging average and their on-base percentage.
Ordinary Effort: What a Fielder Should Do
Ordinary effort is a term used in baseball rules. It means the effort that an average fielder at a certain position should show on a play. This takes into account the condition of the field and the weather. The official scorer uses this idea when deciding if a play was a Glossary of baseball (H)#hit or an Glossary of baseball (E)#error, or a wild pitch versus a passed ball.
Out Pitch: A Pitcher's Best Weapon
An out pitch is the type of pitch that a pitcher uses most often to get an out. It's usually their best or most effective pitch. For example, "Rodriguez uses his change-up as his out pitch."
Outfielder: A Player in the Outfield
An outfielder is a player whose position is in the outfield. This includes left field, center field, or right field. See position.
Outside Corner: The Edge of the Plate for a Strike
The outside corner is the location of a Glossary of baseball (S)#strike that passes over the far edge of home plate from the batter.
Overpower the Hitter: Throwing Too Fast
To overpower the hitter means to throw a pitch so fast that the batter cannot swing quickly enough to hit it. For example, "Wolfe continually overpowered hitters with his blazing fastball. Santa Clara hitters just couldn't catch up to it."
Overshift: Moving Fielders Around
Overshift is another word for a "shift" in baseball. This is when the defensive players move from their normal positions to cover areas where a specific batter is most likely to hit the ball. This can be an infield shift or an outfield shift.
Overthrow: Throwing the Ball Too Far
Overthrow has a few meanings:
- It can mean when a fielder throws the ball so high or far that it goes over the head of their target and out of reach. For example, "Sean Halton struck out, but the catcher couldn't hold the pitch and then overthrew first base, allowing two runners to score."
- If a thrown ball goes over the head or wide of an infielder and leaves the playing field (like into the dugout or stands), the umpire will call it an overthrow. This usually allows the runner to advance one extra base.
- A pitcher who throws the ball too hard and loses control of it is said to be "overthrowing the ball." For example, "Gardenhire said Crain is pitching with more confidence and, most importantly, he's not trying to overthrow the ball."
