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.

F

;fan

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:A strong supporter of a player, a team, or the game in general. As Paul Dickson explains, this term originated in the sport of boxing. Those who followed or "fancied" boxing in the 19th century were called "the fancy". The segment of the public that followed boxing tended to also follow baseball. "The fancy" was shortened to "the fans", was adopted into baseball (replacing the 19th century term "kranks" or "cranks"), and was reinforced by its apparent connection to the word "fanatics".

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;figger filbert

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:An old-fashioned and funnier way of saying "numbers nut", for a fan with a near-obsessive interest in the stats or "figures" of the game. Bill James could be said to be the iconic "figger filbert".

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;FL or F.L.

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:Abbreviation for Federal League, a major league that existed for two years, 1914-1915.

Related Topics:
Federal League - 1914 - 1915

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;fly ball

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:A ball hit high in the air, as opposed to a ground ball.

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;fouling off

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:Batting a pitch foul with two strikes, in order to keep the at bat going, in part to help wear down the pitcher. Luke Appling was said to be the king of fouling them off.

Related Topics:
At bat - Luke Appling

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;free baseball -

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:Another term for extra innings.

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;frozen rope -

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:a hard hit line drive (travels in a straight line)

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;full count

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:A count of 3 balls and 2 strikes, that is, no more balls or strikes can occur without a result.

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