ground ball
Plural
ground balls
1
(baseball) a hit that rolls along the ground, typically resulting in a play by the infielders to get the batter out
A ground ball in baseball or softball is a ball that is hit along the ground, rather than flying through the air. When the batter hits the ball, it rolls or bounces on the field. Fielders, like the shortstop or second baseman, try to stop the ground ball and throw it to a base to get the runner out. A ground ball can result in an out if the fielder catches it and throws to the correct base before the runner arrives, or if the ball is hit softly and does not travel far, giving the defense a better chance to make a play.
- The infielder fielded the ground ball cleanly and threw to first base.
- He hit a hard ground ball past the diving shortstop.
- The shortstop backhanded the ground ball and made a quick throw to first.
- He chopped a ground ball to the third baseman, who made a strong throw to first.
- The third baseman fielded the ground ball and fired to second for the force out.
Synonyms: