Baseball lingo

[1wizard]

Don't know about the screws comment, but "can of corn" dates back to when cans of corn used to be on the top shelf of the grocery stores. Apparently people would use a stick with a hook on it to pull a can down and then catch it (with their hand or their basket). That's my understanding and I'm pretty sure it's right.

 

"HITTING IT ON THE SCREWS

 

Golf phrase, meaning you hit it dead center, on the sweet spot.

 

From this golf guide:

 

On the screws: Description for a well-executed shot. In the good ol' days, when woods were made of wood, club makers fitted a plastic insert into the club face as a safeguard against premature wear. These inserts were fastened to the club with screws. When a golfer would hit a good shot, he would say, "I hit it on the screws."

 

--Clay Davenport"

 

These are two baseball phrases that have been discussed in another thread. Can you think of any other good baseball phrases and/or origins for the phrase(s).

[cjbucks]

Why is a rundown called a "pickle"?

[bhogg]

what is a "schnide" and how does one get on a schnide in the first place?

[The Troll]

I already knew the orgin of "can of corn" because Buck Martinez explained it on Triple Play '98.

[1wizard]

Here is one for you. I have never heard of a banjo hitter.

 

banjo hitter

A batter who lacks power. A banjo hitter usually hits bloop singles, often just past the infield dirt, and would have a low slugging percentage. The name has said to come from the twanging sound of the batter's swing like that of a banjo.

 

This phrase has some Cub history:

"Merkle Boner"

 

Mental error that causes cost team the game, a good example would be forgetting the number of outs and tossing the ball into the stands, allow runners to advance.

Origin: During a game on September 23, 1908, rookie New York Giants first baseman Fred Merkle singled to right field with two outs and a runner on first in the bottom of the ninth with the score tied. The next batter, Al Bridwell, hit a single to center and lead baserunner Moose McCormick scored the apparent winning run. As was customary, the Giants' groundskeepers opened the gates and the fans streamed onto the field toward outfield exit gates. It was also customary for the players to make a mad dash to the clubhouse in deep center field. Seeing McCormick cross the plate, Merkle immediately started running for the clubhouse also, not touching second base, which was also customary in those situations. Cubs second baseman Johnny Evers - a stickler for rules, and who had already had a discussion with umpire Hank O'Day about this in a similar occasion some weeks earlier - noticed that Merkle had not gone on to touch second. Evers called for the ball. Some say an alert Giants player, who caught on to Evers' intentions, tossed the ball into the crowd. Others say a Cubs outfielder tossed it. The story goes that two Cubs fans chased down a Giants fan that they thought had the ball, took the ball from the fan, and gave it to Evers. Whether the ball that Evers wound up with was the actual game ball, was and is still a matter of debate. In any case, Evers tagged second and appealed to umpire Bob Emslie, who had not seen the play and refused to make the call. He appealed to his partner, Hank O'Day, who granted Evers' appeal and called Merkle out on a force play. The Giants had left the field, which was swarming with fans, all celebrating the Giants' apparent victory, so umpire O'Day declared the game a tie. When this game was made up on October 8th with the Giants and Cubs tied in the standings, the Giants lost the game - and lost the pennant. The Cubs would go on to win their second - and, as of 2004, their last - World Series championship.

 

"Both bonehead, meaning "stupid," and boner, meaning "a ridiculous blunder," predate that fateful September day, but there's no doubt that Merkle's boner did a lot to solidify the place of both terms in our language." - Merriam Webster's Word For The Wise

[1wizard]

"Texas Leaguer" was supposed to have its origin relating to some guy who got called up from the minors (presumably the Texas League) and got four hits in his first major league game, each one short bloopers into the outfield. "There goes another of those Texas League hits again." Unfortunately, Bill James' people did some research and the guy didn't get four hits in his first major league game, and those that he did get were line drives. But the term is still used for those little bloopy dying-quail hits to short outfield.

 

 

"southpaw" - which is because under the traditional style of baseball-field building, the left side of the pitcher's mound faced the south; thus, lefthanded pitchers were "southpaws".

 

"Purpose Pitch" goes back to Branch Rickey. He used to say that he didn't advocate throwing at batters, but "if you do throw it, make it serve a purpose!"

 

Now - where did "Tools of Ignorance" come from, the term used for catcher's gear?

 

This is from a post dispatch poster on that site.

[cjbucks]

This phrase has some Cub history:

"Merkle Boner"

 

Their is also a bar named Merkle's Bar and Grill on Clark Street not far from Wrigley Field. The show their good taste by flying University of Iowa colors also.

[adamb0719]

What does No Pepper mean. I know I heard it before but can not remember.

[UK1679666180]

The best term is a "punching Judy" hitter. Of course, I use the more vulgar term "'female dog' hitter" to describe that type of hitter.

[1wizard]

Bhogg wrote:

what is a "schnide" and how does one get on a schnide in the first place?

 

 

I found this site for "schnide".

http://www.vocaboly.com/forums/ptopic1313.html

 

The best theory is this:

 

Shut out. Skunked. Oh-for-April (baseball). It's used in various card

games, where it can mean scoring zero or failing to take enough tricks

or counters to score your meld, especially in gin, pinochle, or skat.

It's German, where it literally means "cut", and figuratively

"undercut". Once you have scored, you're off the schneid

.

[1wizard]

Bhogg wrote:

what is a "schnide" and how does one get on a schnide in the first place?

 

 

I found this site for "schnide".

http://www.vocaboly.com/forums/ptopic1313.html

 

The best theory is this:

 

Shut out. Skunked. Oh-for-April (baseball). It's used in various card

games, where it can mean scoring zero or failing to take enough tricks

or counters to score your meld, especially in gin, pinochle, or skat.

It's German, where it literally means "cut", and figuratively

"undercut". Once you have scored, you're off the schneid

.

[goonys evil twin]

The best term is a "punching Judy" hitter. Of course, I use the more vulgar term "'female dog' hitter" to describe that type of hitter.

 

punch and judy

[kaseyi]

Bullpen

The origin of the term "bullpen" has long been debated in baseball. One popular notion is that the term came from Bull Durham tobacco. At one time most ballparks had ads on the outfield fences and Bull Durham was always near the spot where the relief pitchers warmed up. In those days all games were day games and the signs provided much needed shade. In 1910 the Bull Durham name was so closely associated with the ballpark, that signs where in almost every park in the country ballpark, that signs where in almost every park in the country. These signs stood 40 feet long by 25 feet high. The company offered a $50 reward to any hitter who could hit a ball off one. In addition, any player hitting a home run in a park with a bull on the fence got a carton of tobacco. In 1909 there were 50 signs in place and 14 players won. The next year with nearly 150 Bull Durham signs being hit 85 times, $4,520 in cash and more than 10,000 pounds of tobacco was given out.

[snoodmonger]

Here are a couple whose origins I'm curious about:

 

Soupbone

Ducks on the Pond

[kaseyi]

Here are a couple whose origins I'm curious about:

 

Soupbone

Ducks on the Pond

 

according to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary

(Facts on File - 1989) : "Runners on base. EXTENDED ENTRY - Coined, or at

least brought to baseball, by broadcaster Arch McDonald, the former Yankee

and Senators announcer who was called 'the Barnum of the bushes'.

 

Kasey

[1wizard]

Here is a test of your baseball Jargon knowledge:

 

 

1. Air it out A. A female baseball groupie

2. Banana stick B. A hit ball that skims the ground

3. Can of corn C. An easily played fly ball

4. Daniel Webster D. A pitchers arm

5. Greenfly E. An automated pitching machine

6. Iron Mike F. A thinly padded flat glove preferred by

some infielders

7. Keystone G. A player known for arguing with umpires

8. Men in blue H. Bases loaded

9. Nightcap I. Second base

10. Pancake J. Bat made of poor quality/soft wood

11. Rabbit K. 2nd game of a double header

12. Soupbone L. To hit a ball a long distance, or to pitch a ball

very fast

13. The table is set M. The bounce or liveliness of a ball

14. Worm burner N. The umpires

[ManEatingTarp]

One of my all time favorites, and the Name of my Fantasy Baseball team for many years.

 

Golden Sombrero

[Chocolate Milk]

"Fastball" ????????????????????????????

[Garwilly]

1. Air it out L. To hit a ball a long distance, or to pitch a ball

very fast

2. Banana stick J. Bat made of poor quality/soft wood

3. Can of corn C. An easily played fly ball

4. Daniel Webster M. The bounce or liveliness of a ball

5. Greenfly A. A female baseball groupie

6. Iron Mike E. An automated pitching machine

7. Keystone I. Second base

8. Men in blue N. The umpires

9. Nightcap K. 2nd game of a double header

10. Pancake F. A thinly padded flat glove preferred by

some infielders

11. Rabbit G. A player known for arguing with umpires

12. Soupbone D. A pitchers arm

13. The table is set H. Bases loaded

14. Worm burner B. A hit ball that skims the ground

Edited September 2, 2005 by Garwilly

[neely crenshaw]

Here is a test of your baseball Jargon knowledge:

 

 

1. Air it out L. To hit a ball a long distance, or to pitch a ball

very fast

2. Banana stick J. Bat made of poor quality/soft wood

3. Can of corn C. An easily played fly ball

4. Daniel Webster M. The bounce or liveliness of a ball

5. Greenfly A. female baseball groupie

6. Iron Mike E. An automated pitching machine

some infielders

7. Keystone I.second base

 

8. Men in blue N. The umpires

9. Nightcap K. 2nd game of a double header I. Second base

10. Pancake F. A thinly padded flat glove preferred by

11. Rabbit G. A player known for arguing with umpires

12. Soupbone D. A pitchers arm

 

13. The table is set H. Bases loaded

14. Worm burner B. A hit ball that skims the ground

[neely crenshaw]

duck snort

baltimore chop

flare

gork

skillet-hard glove

muffin-soft glove

"K" for strike out

frozen rope

uncle charley-curveball

lord charles-really good curve ball

hose-strong arm

twin bill-double header...i believe it comes from having both games listed on the billboard

[neely crenshaw]

What does No Pepper mean. I know I heard it before but can not remember.

pepper is a hitting game where guys line up in front of a hitter, who trys to hit a ground back to them. if they miss the next guy is up. if they hit it and someone boots it, they go to the back of the line. usually it says no pepper in front of stands with no screen, to keep the ball from going in the stands.

[1wizard]

Garwilly wrote:

1. Air it out L. To hit a ball a long distance, or to pitch a ball

very fast

2. Banana stick J. Bat made of poor quality/soft wood

3. Can of corn C. An easily played fly ball

4. Daniel Webster M. The bounce or liveliness of a ball

5. Greenfly A. A female baseball groupie

6. Iron Mike E. An automated pitching machine

7. Keystone I. Second base

8. Men in blue N. The umpires

9. Nightcap K. 2nd game of a double header

10. Pancake F. A thinly padded flat glove preferred by

some infielders

11. Rabbit G. A player known for arguing with umpires

12. Soupbone D. A pitchers arm

13. The table is set H. Bases loaded

14. Worm burner B. A hit ball that skims the ground

 

We have a winner, I think?

[Garwilly]

Garwilly wrote:

1. Air it out L. To hit a ball a long distance, or to pitch a ball

very fast

2. Banana stick J. Bat made of poor quality/soft wood

3. Can of corn C. An easily played fly ball

4. Daniel Webster M. The bounce or liveliness of a ball

5. Greenfly A. A female baseball groupie

6. Iron Mike E. An automated pitching machine

7. Keystone I. Second base

8. Men in blue N. The umpires

9. Nightcap K. 2nd game of a double header

10. Pancake F. A thinly padded flat glove preferred by

some infielders

11. Rabbit G. A player known for arguing with umpires

12. Soupbone D. A pitchers arm

13. The table is set H. Bases loaded

14. Worm burner B. A hit ball that skims the ground

 

We have a winner, I think?

 

No, Neely wins. I submitted mine with 4 and 11 accidentally switched. Neely had posted his fully correct before I could swap mine.

[MidoreX]

Sunday Hop.

 

 

as Chip Carey always used to say "That ball took a Sunday hop on a Wednesday afternoon"

 

...man I'm glad he's gone!