While rereading my latest post—a rundown of the MLB’s Top 10—I realized I’ve been throwing around a lot of baseball jargon, some of which I barely understand myself. I gather terms and explanations from different sources and try to make sense of them, but can I really expect newcomers to instantly know what a “stolen base” is or precisely where a “shortstop” stands on the field?

To address that, here’s a (very incomplete) list of common baseball terms, along with straightforward, beginner-friendly definitions. In the future, I plan to create a separate section on this blog with a more comprehensive overview of all the key terminology in the wonderful (yet often puzzling) realm of baseball.

Player Positions

1. P (Pitcher)
   • The player who starts every play by throwing the ball from the mound toward home plate. Pitchers have an arsenal of pitches (fastballs, curveballs, sliders, etc.) and aim to confuse the batter and get outs. They often work closely with the catcher to decide what pitch to throw next.
2. C (Catcher)
   • Stationed behind home plate, the catcher receives pitches from the pitcher. They must have quick reflexes, a strong throwing arm, and the ability to communicate defensive strategies. Catchers are often considered the on-field “quarterback,” guiding and encouraging the team.
3. 1B (First Baseman)
   • Guarding first base, this infielder receives throws from other fielders trying to get runners out. First basemen need solid catching skills (including scooping up low throws) and are often tall targets, making it easier for teammates to spot them.
4. 2B (Second Baseman)
   • Positioned between first and second base, this infielder fields grounders and works with the shortstop to turn double plays. Quick footwork and reliable hands are essential, as the second baseman often pivots in tight spaces.
5. 3B (Third Baseman)
   • Also known as the “hot corner” because of how fast balls get hit there, the third baseman needs lightning-quick reactions and a strong arm to throw runners out at first base. They often handle sharply hit ground balls and high-chop hits near the line.
6. SS (Shortstop)
   • Stationed between second and third base, the shortstop is often seen as the defensive leader of the infield. They cover a lot of ground, field tricky grounders, and play a major role in turning double plays.
7. LF (Left Fielder)
   • An outfielder who covers the left side of the outfield. They must track fly balls, relay throws to the infield, and communicate with the center fielder to avoid collisions. A strong and accurate throwing arm is a big plus.
8. CF (Center Fielder)
   • Roaming the middle of the outfield, the center fielder is frequently considered the “captain” out there, calling off other outfielders on fly balls. They typically have exceptional speed, helping them cover a lot of territory.
9. RF (Right Fielder)
   • An outfielder who covers the right side of the outfield. Because many right-handed batters pull the ball to left field, the right fielder may see slightly fewer chances—but they often need a very strong arm to make long throws to third base.
10. DH (Designated Hitter)
    • Primarily used in the American League, the DH bats instead of the pitcher (or another player if the league rules allow). They don’t play a defensive position, focusing solely on offense to help drive in runs.

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Basic Stats & Abbreviations

1. Home Run (HR)
   • When a batter hits the ball over the outfield fence in fair territory, scoring at least one run (the batter plus any base runners).
2. Steal (Stolen Base)
   • When a base runner successfully takes the next base while the pitcher is throwing the ball to the batter.
3. Batting Average (BA or just “avg”)
   • Measures how often a batter gets a hit.
4. bWAR (Baseball-Reference Wins Above Replacement)
   • A stat that estimates how many more wins a player is worth compared to a typical “replacement” player. The higher, the better.
5. OPS (On-base Plus Slugging)
   • A combined number from a player’s on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Essentially measures how well a hitter both reaches base and hits for power.
6. OPS+
   • An adjusted version of OPS that factors in external influences like ballparks. A value of 100 is average; above 100 is better than average.
7. Slugging Percentage (SLG)
   • Measures the power of a hitter by dividing total bases by at-bats.

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Awards & Honors

1. All-Star
   • A midseason exhibition game featuring the top players in each league, as voted by fans, players, and managers.
2. Silver Slugger Award
   • Given to the best hitter at each position in both leagues, based on votes from coaches and managers.
3. Gold Glove Award
   • Given to the best defensive player at each position.
4. MVP (Most Valuable Player)
   • An annual award given to the standout player in each league (American League and National League).

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Key Moments & Terms

1. Walk-off Grand Slam
   • A home run hit with the bases loaded (three runners on base) in the bottom of the final inning, immediately ending the game and giving the batter’s team the win.
2. Rainout
   • A game canceled or postponed due to bad weather (usually rain).
3. ALCS / NLCS (American League Championship Series / National League Championship Series)
   • The playoff rounds that determine which team from each league goes to the World Series.
4. World Series
   • The final championship round between the American League and National League winners.

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Extra Notes for Newcomers

• “30–30 Season” means a player finishes with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in one year—a big deal that shows both power and speed.
• “Age-24 Campaign” simply means the season a player is/was 24 years old for most or all of the games.