What is Raking in Baseball

What is Raking in Baseball

Raking is a slang term used in the game of baseball. A player who is raking means he is doing very well at hitting at that point in time. You might hear this term from announcers or players in the dugout: “Dang man, you have been raking this week!.” This means the player is playing … Read more

What Does DTD Mean in Baseball?

What Does DTD Mean in Baseball

Many baseball abbreviations may seem confusing at first glance. This one is rather simple: DTD stands for Day-To-Day. DTD is an abbreviation used when classifying a player’s injury status. Usually, a low-grade injury that is easily healed will result in the player being listed as DTD. The DL, or disabled list, is a list that … Read more

What Is Rice Bucket Training in Baseball?

What Is Rice Bucket Training in Baseball

Rice bucket training in baseball is a unique exercise method where players immerse their hands and forearms into a bucket of rice and perform movements to strengthen muscles, improve grip, and increase dexterity, crucial for better control and injury prevention. How rice bucket training works There are many different methods to strengthen your forearms. You … Read more

What Is Spring Training in Baseball?

What Is Spring Training in Baseball

Every year, Spring Training offers a unique baseball month for players and fans. Preceding the MLB’s regular season in April, this March event prepares teams for their long 162-game season with games played primarily in Florida and Arizona. While the intensity is more relaxed, fans cherish the chance to watch their favorite teams and collect … Read more

What Is a Can of Corn in Baseball?

what is can of corn in baseball

In baseball, a “can of corn” is a phrase that captures the simplicity of catching an easy, routine fly ball. Dive into the origins of this quirky expression and how it’s come to symbolize a no-sweat play for outfielders. The origins of the term “can of corn” The term “can of corn” has a rather … Read more

Reasons Why Baseball Isn’t Played in the Rain

Reasons Why Baseball Isn't Played in the Rain

Playing baseball in the rain isn’t just a matter of a little water; it’s a game-changer for player safety and game integrity. Discover why a downpour leads to delays and how rain transforms the diamond into a slip-and-slide that’s neither safe nor fair for the teams at bat and in the field. The challenges of … Read more

Why Do Left-Handed Pitchers Have an Advantage?

why do left-handed pitchers have an advantage

Left-handed pitchers are deemed a rare commodity in baseball, bringing distinct advantages that can disrupt a batter’s rhythm with their unique pitch angles and deception. In this post, we’ll explore the reasons why southpaws can often dominate on the mound. Left-handed pitchers have a natural advantage over right-handed batters It is a fact that since … Read more

Why Don’t MLB Players Play in the Olympics

Why Don’t MLB Players Play in the Olympics

Major League Baseball players often don’t participate in the Olympics due to the scheduling overlap with the MLB season and the league’s reluctance to pause its schedule, prioritizing their rigorous 162-game agenda. This post will delve into the complexities behind this absence and its impact on the Olympic Games. History of MLB players in the … Read more

How Many Challenges Do You Get in MLB?

How Many Challenges Do You Get in MLB

In MLB, each team gets one manager’s challenge to contest a play’s call. A successful challenge grants another, but a failed one means they lose that privilege for the rest of the game. Overview of MLB challenge system While baseball may be the last major American team sport to incorporate challenges via replay, they did … Read more

What is a Cut-Off Man in Baseball?

What is a Cut-Off Man in Baseball

In baseball, a cut-off man is a fielder who positions himself between an outfielder and an infield base to relay throws, typically for the purpose of getting the ball to the infield more quickly or changing the direction of the throw to prevent runners from advancing. What is a cut-off man? A cut-off man is … Read more

Pitching From the Stretch vs. Windup

Pitching From the Stretch vs. Windup

Pitchers often have to decide between the stretch and the windup, two distinct delivery methods each with its own strategic advantages. This post will examine the mechanics and situations that influence a pitcher’s choice. Pitching from the stretch In the stretch or set position, a pitcher must start their pitching motion by being completely still. … Read more

What is the Side in Baseball?

What is the Side in Baseball

In baseball, “retiring the side” refers to when the defense gets three offensive players out in a half-inning. When the announcer says “the side is retired,” it means that the half-inning is over and the teams will switch from batting to fielding or vice versa. This can happen through strikeouts, flyouts, groundouts, or any other … Read more

Can a Pitcher Throw to an Unoccupied Base?

Can a Pitcher Throw to an Unoccupied Base

A pitcher cannot throw to an unoccupied base if he is still standing on the rubber. Throwing to an unoccupied base is similar to a pickoff move. The pitcher can only begin his move or throw once he has stepped off the rubber. If he moves while still on the rubber, this will be called … Read more

Who Covers Second Base on a Steal?

Who Covers Second Base on a Steal

On a steal to second base, the shortstop or the second baseman covers the bag, depending on the batter’s handedness and the game situation. The decision is often predetermined by the team’s strategy, with players using visual signals to coordinate their movements and ensure the base is adequately covered for a potential throw-down from the … Read more

What is the Towel Pitching Drill in Baseball

What is the Towel Pitching Drill in Baseball

The towel pitching drill in baseball is a training technique where pitchers use a towel in place of a baseball to practice their throwing motion. This exercise helps refine mechanics and build muscle memory without the stress of repeated ball throwing. Let’s break down the details and benefits of incorporating this drill into a pitcher’s … Read more

Why Do Catchers Wear Nail Polish in Baseball?

Why Do Catchers Wear Nail Polish in Baseball

Catchers donning bright nail polish might catch your eye and it’s all strategic – a way to signal pitchers clearly even from the mound’s distance. Let’s delve into the visual tactics of baseball’s unsung strategists behind the plate. History of catchers wearing nail polish in baseball New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada began putting Wite-Out … Read more

Baseball Tryout Drills

Baseball Tryout Drills

Approaching your first baseball tryout can be nerve-wracking, but it’s an exciting gateway to your potential baseball journey. Whether you make the team or not, it’s just the beginning, and being prepared is key. Importance of tryout drills In a typical tryout, coaches will review your basic skills, such as catching, hitting, and throwing. You … Read more

Can Pitchers Fake a Pickoff Attempt?

Can Pitchers Fake a Pickoff Attempt

Understanding the intricacies of a pickoff can give teams an edge, but do the rules allow pitchers to bluff their moves? This article examines the legality and strategy behind faking a pickoff attempt in baseball. What is a pickoff attempt? A pickoff attempt is defined as a pitcher attempting to get a baserunner out. To … Read more

What is Pitch Count in Baseball

What is Pitch Count in Baseball

Pitch count in baseball refers to the number of pitches thrown by a pitcher in a game, which is closely monitored to manage fatigue and reduce the risk of injury. How pitch count is measured A pitch count is measured by keeping track of every single pitch thrown by a pitcher. It is usually the … Read more

Why do MLB Games Start at Odd Times

Why do MLB Games Start at Odd Times

The start times for MLB games often leave fans puzzled, scheduled at what seem like unconventional times. Let’s explore the strategy behind these odd start times, from accommodating broadcasters to local traffic patterns, and how they affect both the game and its audience. Background on MLB game start times So, how did baseball come to … Read more

What Makes a Bat Illegal in Baseball

What Makes a Bat Illegal in Baseball

There are several ways a bat can be altered to make it illegal, and even some ways a bat can become illegal simply by accident. We break it down for you below. The role of Major League Baseball in regulating bats The history of rules and regulations regarding baseball bats goes back to the mid-1800s. … Read more

What is a Pop Out in Baseball?

What is a Pop Out in Baseball

A pop out occurs when a batter hits the ball high into the air and it’s caught by a fielder before touching the ground, resulting in an out. Understanding this common play is essential for grasping baseball’s intricate defense strategies. Definition of a pop out A pop out occurs when a batter hits the ball … Read more

What Is the Fan Interference Rule in Baseball

what is the fan interference rule in baseball

Fan interference in baseball occurs when a spectator enters the field or reaches into the playing area to touch a live ball or distract a player, potentially altering the outcome of a play. Understanding this rule helps maintain the fairness and integrity of the game. Background of the fan interference rule In 1931, the MLB … Read more

When to Slide in Baseball

When to Slide in Baseball

Timing and technique are crucial in baseball’s art of sliding; knowing when to drop down and avoid the tag can make the difference between safe and out. Let’s explore the split-second decision-making that can steal a base or score the winning run. When to slide to avoid a tag If you are batting and hit … Read more

Why Do Baseball Players Wear Hats

Why Do Baseball Players Wear Hats

Baseball players wear hats mainly to keep the sun and stadium lights out of their eyes. In the early days of baseball, players were allowed to wear any type of brimmed straw hat to help keep the sun out of their eyes when catching fly balls.  Baseball hats also protect the face against sunburn and … Read more

What Does Choke Up Mean in Baseball

What does choke up mean in baseball

The term “choke up” has several meanings in popular culture, but in baseball, choke up has a specific meaning for hitters. This is not to be confused with the popular definition of “choke” in sports when someone is expected to do well and does not. When a hitter chokes up on the baseball bat, it … Read more

How Many Outs Are in an Inning of Baseball?

how-many-outs-are-in-an-inning-of-baseball

The structure of a baseball inning hinges on three outs per side, with a total of six outs completing a full inning. This cadence of outs is central to the game’s progression, as teams alternate between offense and defense. How many outs are in an inning of baseball? In a baseball game, each inning consists … Read more

The Reason Behind 60-Yard Dash in Baseball

The Reason Behind 60-Yard Dash in Baseball

The 60-yard dash in baseball is the gold standard for evaluating a player’s sprinting prowess, a crucial indicator of speed and agility that can often influence a game’s outcome or a scout’s interest. The role of speed in baseball Speed comes into play in almost every aspect of baseball. Whether chasing down a fly ball … Read more

Why Do Baseball Players Wear Compression Sleeves

Why Do Baseball Players Wear Compression Sleeves

Baseball players wear compression sleeves to support muscle stability, improve circulation, and help with recovery, ensuring their arms are game-ready inning after inning. Improved blood circulation Compression sleeves help improve blood circulation by compressing muscles, which gives the arm more stability. These baseball sleeves boost circulation and allow arm muscles to receive increased oxygen during … Read more

Why Do Baseball Players Use Bat Weights?

Why Do Baseball Players Use Bat Weights

MLB players use heavy wooden bats, some nearing 35 ounces. Bat weights help players adjust, making the bat feel lighter during swings. Essential for improving bat speed, they’re a must-have tool for any baseball team. The benefits of using bat weights A bat weight is a weighted, ring-like object that is placed on a baseball … Read more