If you are new to baseball or softball, you are not alone. Between the dugout talk, scorekeeping language, and game day chatter, it can feel like everyone else already knows what is going on.
I remember how easy it was to feel a little lost at first. People were throwing around words and abbreviations like everyone had known them forever, and meanwhile I was just trying to keep up, cheer at the right time, and figure out what actually happened on the last play. If you have ever sat at the field nodding along while secretly wondering what that term meant, you are in very good company.
That is exactly why I wanted to put this together.
Short on time? Download it Now! 👇
If you want a quick confidence boost before the next game, here are 20 baseball and softball terms every beginner should know.
1. At Bat ⚾
When it is your player’s turn to step up to the plate and hit.
Simple way to think of it:
Their turn to try and get on base.
2. Batter 👟
The player who is currently hitting.
You might hear:
“She’s the next batter up.”
3. Dugout 🧢
The bench area where the team sits when they are not on the field.
Simple way to think of it:
The team’s home base during the game.
4. Inning ⏱️
A section of the game. Each inning has a top and bottom, and both teams get a turn on offense and defense.
Simple way to think of it:
One round of play for both teams.
5. Strike 👀
A pitch that is either in the strike zone and not hit, or a swing and miss.
Important:
Three strikes usually means the batter is out.
6. Ball 🙋♀️
A pitch that is outside the strike zone and not swung at.
Important:
Four balls usually means the batter gets to go to first base.
7. Walk 🚶
When a batter gets four balls and is awarded first base.
You might hear:
“He walked.”
“She drew a walk.”
8. Strikeout K
When a batter gets three strikes and is out.
You will often see it written as:
K
9. Hit 💥
When the batter makes fair contact and reaches base safely.
Examples:
Single, double, triple, home run
10. Home Run 🎉
A hit that allows the batter to round all the bases and score.
Simple way to think of it:
The dream play everybody loves.
11. RBI 📣
This stands for Runs Batted In. It means a batter helped bring a runner home to score.
You might hear:
“She had 2 RBIs.”
12. Out ✅
When the defensive team gets a player out.
Important:
Three outs ends that team’s turn at bat.
13. Force Out ➡️
When a runner has to move to the next base, and the defense gets the ball to that base first.
Simple way to think of it:
The runner had no choice but to run.
14. Tag Up 🏃
When a runner waits on a base for a caught ball, then runs after the catch.
This usually happens on:
Fly balls
15. Pop Fly ☁️
A ball hit high into the air.
Simple way to think of it:
An easier catch if a fielder gets under it.
16. Ground Ball 🌱
A ball hit along the ground.
You may hear coaches say:
“Put it on the ground.”
17. Error ✍️
A fielding mistake that allows a batter or runner to advance when they normally would not have.
Important:
It is a scorekeeping term, not just a general mistake.
18. Double Play 🙌
A defensive play where two outs are made in the same play.
Simple way to think of it:
A big momentum shift.
19. Foul Ball 🚫
A ball hit outside the foul lines.
Important:
It usually does not count as a hit.
20. Run Rule 🏁
A rule that ends the game early if one team is ahead by a certain number of runs.
Why this matters:
This comes up a lot in youth baseball and softball tournaments.
Bonus Baseball and Softball Terms for New Moms ✨
Once you learn the basics, these are a few more baseball and softball terms you will hear often:
Steal
When a runner advances to the next base while the pitcher is pitching.
Bunt
A soft hit meant to place the ball instead of taking a full swing.
On Deck
The next batter coming up after the current batter.
Lead Off
The first batter in the lineup, or taking a small step off base before a pitch.
Pitch Count
The number of pitches a pitcher has thrown.
A note from my heart 💛
Every sport has its own language, and baseball and softball definitely do. I know how intimidating that can feel in the beginning when it seems like everyone else already understands the rhythm of the game.
But one thing I have learned is that you do not need to know everything right away to belong there. You learn little by little. One game, one question, one new term at a time. And before long, the sport that once felt confusing starts to feel familiar.
That is why I love simple guides like this. They help take away some of the overwhelm and make room for what really matters, cheering on your kid, feeling more confident at the field, and enjoying the experience a little more.
Grab the free printable 📋
I created a free printable version of this Beginner Baseball and Softball Lingo guide so you can save it, share it, or pull it up before the next game.
Download the printable and keep it handy for game day
