How Well Do You Know Baseball Slang?

By: Gavin Thagard
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
How Well Do You Know Baseball Slang?
Image: shutterstock

About This Quiz

Home runs, Cy Young awards, Golden Gloves, World Series championships; you know the things that define the game of baseball because they're easy to track. What about baseball slang, though? Do you know all of those phrases that are common on the field? Could you pass a quiz on those phrases? Here's your chance to find out!

Major League Baseball is one of the oldest major sports in North America, with a rich history that's over a century long. That history has been defined by outstanding players, inspiring moments, incredible records and, of course, baseball slang. 

Baseball slang helps describe baseball in ways that other descriptions can't. Slang adds a little flair to what's happening on the field. It gives the audience a better description of events that can be imagined and adds to the quality of the experience. Who wouldn't want that? 

Do you know your baseball slang? Can you remember all of the phrases that announcers use when calling a game? If you think you can, then take this quiz and prove it. That's if you're up for the challenge, because this quiz isn't for the faint of heart. If you're ready, though, get started and prove your knowledge on baseball slang! 

What's a ground ball that bounces over an infielder's head called?
Baltimore chop
Bouncer
Over the top
High grounder
How do you refer to a batter who can only hit the ball to the warning track?
Switch hitter
Weak swinger
Warning track power
Easy out
What's a slang term for bases loaded?
All on
Potential four
Three out
Bases drunk

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What is a batted ball that drops suddenly from the air?
Bird down
Dying quail
Eagle dive
Hit a wall
When a pitcher has a strong arm, his arm is referred to as what?
A flamethrower
A comet
A bazooka
Lightning
What's another name for a catcher's gear?
Stupid gear
Tools of ignorance
The full locker
Rhino cover

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The major leagues are sometimes referred to as what?
Showtime
The party
The big show
The head
This is when a batter misses the third pitch and strikes out.
Broke
Dig
Whiff
Send home
What is it called when a runner is picked off?
Runner down
Dug out
Side-eyed
Caught napping

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What's an insanely athletic catch called?
Circus catch
Hawking
Stalking
Heavy hand
What is one of the top players on a team called?
All-star
Crackerjack
General
Colonel
What do you call a ball hit at a defensive player?
Cutter
At 'em ball
Gut shot
Man to man

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This is a pitch in the middle of the strike zone.
Right down Broadway
Bullzeye
Red zone
Split the street
This is when a player comes out of the dugout for an ovation from the crowd.
Showtime
Lights out
Pull the praise
Curtain call
What's another name for a curveball?
Orbit throw
Slinger
Deuce
Eye candy

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This is slang for a heavy hitter.
Strong arm
Orbit hitter
Parking lot star
Fence buster
What's a ground ball with a lot of speed called?
Speed ball
Putter
Gopher ball
Worm burner
What do you call it when a batter is walked?
Base stealer
Give one
Free pass
Stealing muffins

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What is it called when a team is playing on their home field?
Friendly confines
Personal lawn
Home mat
House party
What's a shutout called?
Whitewash
Big egg
Big O
Goose dropping
This is when a pitcher has a sore arm.
Glass arm
Rubber arm
String arm
Poor arm

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What's the minor league often called?
Bush league
Little league
Poor man's league
League of the starving
What is zero on the scoreboard called?
Big egg
Rounder
Goose egg
Blank slate
What's the name for a batter who tries to anticipate a pitch?
Blind swinger
Guess hitter
Clue hitter
Swing hitter

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A defender who constantly makes errors has what?
A brick glove
An oil glove
A dumb glove
An iron glove
What do you call a pitcher who's capable of throwing to the edges of home plate?
Picasso
String pitcher
Playing the piano
Edge pitcher
What's another name for home plate?
Last bun
Last chapter
Fourth corner
Platter

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This is when players or coaches meet on the field to talk.
Office meeting
Team talk
Meetin room
Pow wow
What's a fight on the field called?
Showdown
Child play
Rhubarb
High action
What's it called when a player follows the rules in baseball?
Goodie goods
Play by the book
Golden play
Nice to meet you

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What's a weak pitch called?
Boulder arm
Lollipop
A parachute pitch
A weighted pitch
What's an easy catch for a defender called?
Free cake
Room service
Have a cookie
Here ya' go
What is a catch barely made by a sprinting fielder called?
Shoestring catch
Laser catch
Goodluck catch
Just by the tip

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This is a pitch thrown near a batter's jaw.
Near the glass
Chin music
Skimming teeth
Lip kiss
This is another name for a double play.
Double stacker
Big beef
Two sunk
Twin killing
A fielder with a strong arm has a _______?
Flamethrower
Bazooka
An iron glove
Goose egg

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