bat leadoff: To bat first in the starting lineup or to be the first batter in an inning.
complete game: When the starting pitcher pitches the entire game.
curveball: A type of pitch that is held and thrown in a way that makes it curve as it reaches home plate.
Cy Young Award: Named after Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, this award is given each year to the best pitcher in each of the two major leagues, the American and the National. It’s a huge honor to win the Cy Young.
ERA: Stands for earned run average. To calculate a pitcher’s ERA, divide the number of runs scored off her pitches by the number of innings pitched, then multiply by nine. (For example, if a pitcher gives up four runs over seven innings, her ERA would be 5.14.)
fastball: The most common type of pitch, it is thrown at or near the pitcher’s maximum velocity. The speed of the ball is the primary reason why it’s hard to hit.
go-ahead run: The run that gives the team that is batting the lead in a game.
grand slam: A home run with the bases loaded, scoring four runs (the most you can score with one swing of the bat).
knuckleball: This type of pitch is thrown with minimal spin, causing it to move unpredictably. The ball is held with the knuckles or fingertips. It’s difficult for batters to hit and for catchers to catch. It’s also difficult for pitchers to throw. As a result, very few pitchers in professional baseball are knuckleballers.
line drive: A sharply hit ball that travels almost parallel to the ground (as opposed to a fly ball, which is batted high into the air).
major league baseball (MLB): The highest level of professional baseball played in the United States and Canada. There are a total of thirty major league teams, divided between the American League and the National League.
minor league baseball: All the levels of professional baseball played below the major leagues, with official links to major league teams. In the current system, in order of descending skill level: Triple-A (or Class AAA), Double-A (or Class AA), Single-A (includes High-A and Low-A), Single-A Short Season, and Rookie. The Tri-City Bandits, though fictional, would be considered a Low-A team.
on-deck circle: The location in foul territory where the batter who is up next waits.
Opening Day: The first game of the baseball season. For a team that opens the regular season on the road, its first home game is regarded as Opening Day by fans in that city.
paint the corners: To throw pitches at the edges of the strike zone.
pop-up: A ball that is hit very high and stays in the infield.
road trip: A series of away games. In the low minor leagues, teams still travel by bus. But major league road trips often involve flying on a private team plane.
shutout: When a team prevents its opponent from scoring any runs in a game.
signing bonus: When high school and college players are drafted by an MLB team, they’re offered money as an incentive to sign with that team. Signing bonuses for players picked in the first round are often several million dollars.
slider: This type of pitch is thrown harder than a curveball but slower than a fastball. A slider moves horizontally and drops as it gets closer to home plate.
spring training: From mid-February until Opening Day, major league teams practice together and hold exhibition games at training camps in Arizona and Florida.
starter, starting pitcher: The first pitcher in the game. Any pitcher who comes in after the starter is considered a relief pitcher. In a typical rotation, a starting pitcher will pitch every fifth game. Both Brandon and Hector begin as starting pitchers for the Bandits.
starting lineup: The official list of the players who will participate in the game when it begins.
three-two (3-2) count: Also known as a full count, this means a batter has three balls and two strikes. One more ball and first base is hers. One more strike and she’s out!