List of baseball jargon

The following is an alphabetical list of selected unofficial terms, phrases, and other jargon used in baseball, and explanations of their meanings. See also baseball slang for slang in general usage that originated in baseball. For an exhaustive list, see The New Dickson Baseball Dictionary, by Paul Dickson.

C

;Cactus League

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:The group of teams that conduct their pre-season exhibition games in Arizona.

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;can of corn

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:An easily-caught fly ball. Supposedly comes from a general store clerk reaching up and dropping a can from a high shelf. It may also be used in reference to acknowledging something or used when one is in mild excitement.

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;catbird seat

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:A desirable or auspicious situation. Popularized by Red Barber, longtime broadcaster for the Brooklyn Dodgers. James Thurber wrote in his short story of the same title: "itting in the catbird seat" means sitting pretty, like a batter with three balls and no strikes on him. The catbird is said to seek out the highest point in a tree to sing his song, so someone in the catbird seat is high up.

Related Topics:
Red Barber - Brooklyn Dodgers - James Thurber - Catbird

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;Change (or change up)

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:a pitch meant to look like a fastball, but with less velocity

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;chase after

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:To swing at a pitch well outside of the strike zone.

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;check the runner

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:When the pitcher looks in the direction of a runner on base, and thereby causes him to not take as large of a lead as he would otherwise have taken.

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;chin music

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:A high and tight, up and in pitch meant to knock a batter back from the plate. Also known as a brushback.

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;cleanup

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:The fourth batter for a team, usually a power hitter. The idea is to get some runners on base for the "cleanup" hitter to drive home.

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;climbing the ladder

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:a succession of pitches out of the strike zone, each higher than the last, in an attempt to get the batter to swing at a pitch 'in his eyes'

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;closer

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:A relief pitcher who is consistently used to "close" a game by getting the final outs. Closers are often among the most overpowering pitchers.

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;clutch

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:Good performance under pressure or when the chips are down/when good performance really matters (such a period is referred to as being "in the clutch.") May refer to a player (a good "clutch hitter") or to a team as a whole. For example, a player who hits many home runs but strikes out in crucial win-or-lose moments "can't hit in the clutch." (See Sammy Sosa.) The existence of "clutch" hitting is a controversial and divisive topic among baseball fans. Obviously, clutch hitting in and of itself exists. The debate arises because no one has been able to devise a baseball statistic that incontrovertibly demonstrates its existence for specific players.

Related Topics:
Home run - Sammy Sosa

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;collar

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:Symbol of going hitless in a game, suggested by its resemblance to a zero, along with the implication of "choking"; to wear the collar.

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;covering

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:when a fielder goes to make a play at a base that is not his position (usually because the fielder for that base in unavailable to catch the ball at that base because he is busy fielding the batted ball. Most common example: 1st baseman catches a batted ground ball, but is too far from 1st base to put the runner out. The pitcher covers 1st base to take the throw from the 1st baseman.)

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;cup of coffee

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:A short time spent by a minor league player at the major league level.

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;Cutter

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:a "cut fastball"; a fastball pitch that has lateral movement.

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;cut off

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:Refers either to a cut-off man who shortens the throw or to cut off the ball.

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