baseball
noun (countable)
UK/ˈbeɪs.bɔːl/US/ˈbeɪs.bɔːl/
A team sport played with a bat and ball on a field with four bases laid out in a diamond shape, primarily popular in the United States; also refers to the ball used in this sport.
Example Sentences
Baseball is often referred to as America’s pastime.
The children practiced throwing a baseball back and forth in the backyard.
He joined his local baseball team, improving his batting skills and strengthening his teamwork abilities.
The World Series is the championship series of Major League Baseball, drawing massive crowds each year.
A regulation baseball field includes four bases arranged in a diamond, with the pitcher’s mound in the center.
She bought a new baseball and bat for her nephew’s birthday, sparking his enthusiasm for the sport.
Fans across the country follow baseball season closely, watching their favorite teams compete in dozens of games over several months.
In some regions, baseball has become a cultural cornerstone, fostering community pride, intense rivalries, and a deep sense of tradition among generations of devoted followers.
How to Use
An American-born team sport involving batting, pitching, and fielding.Baseball is played between two teams of nine players on a field with four bases arranged in a diamond. The defensive team positions its players across the field to catch or stop the ball, while the offensive team’s batter attempts to hit the pitched ball and then run the bases to score runs. Each inning consists of both teams having a turn at bat. A typical professional game lasts nine innings, though amateur games might vary in length. Success in baseball revolves around pitching strategy, accurate hitting, base-running tactics, and coordinated fielding. From Little League to professional leagues like Major League Baseball (MLB), the game showcases a blend of mental skill and athletic prowess. Whether you’re playing casually at the park or competing at a high level, baseball emphasizes teamwork, strategy, and technique. The essence lies in the alternating roles of offense and defense—batting or running the bases versus catching or pitching—to outscore the opponent by bringing more runners safely home.
Alternatives
If you’d prefer different terms, you can use “ballgame,” though it’s broader and can apply to multiple sports. “Diamond sport” sometimes specifically means baseball or softball, referring to the infield’s diamond shape. You might also consider “America’s pastime,” which is a nickname reflecting its historical significance in the United States. For more precision, “bat-and-ball sport” differentiates it from sports that use other equipment (like rackets or baskets). However, these alternatives may require context to avoid confusion, since “ballgame” can also refer to baseball, softball, or other sports with balls, and “diamond sport” sometimes lumps baseball together with softball. When describing aspects of the game—like pitching, batting, or fielding—terms like “batting practice,” “catch,” or “field drills” might stand in, but they’re more specialized expressions that don’t replace “baseball” itself. Overall, context and audience will determine which variant fits best, whether you’re chatting informally or writing a structured piece about the game.
Writing
When writing about baseball, specificity and clarity help readers appreciate the nuance of the sport. First, identify the basic structure: nine innings, two teams, each taking turns at bat and on defense. Use straightforward terminology—like “strike,” “ball,” “home run,” “double play,” “pitcher,” and “catcher”—to anchor your explanation. If you’re focusing on strategy, you might highlight pitching techniques (fastballs, curveballs, sliders), batting approaches (contact hitting versus power hitting), or team tactics (sacrifice bunts, hit-and-run plays). Historical references—such as legendary players like Babe Ruth or Jackie Robinson—can add depth and context. If you’re writing about the cultural impact, you might discuss baseball’s role in American culture or how it has spread to other countries like Japan, the Dominican Republic, or Cuba. In formal or academic writing, provide data and statistics, such as batting averages or earned run averages (ERA), to quantify performance. Adding anecdotes—like a personal experience attending a game or stories of famous comebacks—can make your work more engaging. Ultimately, balancing technical detail with vivid storytelling helps readers grasp the game’s rules while also feeling its excitement and cultural significance.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, you might talk about baseball in a laid-back way, sharing favorite teams or chatting about memorable plays. For example, “I’m a huge Red Sox fan—I catch every home game I can,” or “Have you seen him pitch? His fastball is unreal.” If you’re reminiscing about childhood, you could say, “We used to play baseball on the neighborhood street until it got dark.” Using casual slang—like calling a baseball field “the diamond,” or shouting “Let’s play ball!”—injects an informal, fun tone into the conversation. You might also discuss how baseball brings friends and family together, from backyard catch to attending major league games. If you’re new to baseball, asking questions like, “What’s the difference between a curveball and a slider?” can spark easy-going dialogue. Much of casual baseball talk centers around shared fandom, favorite players, or team rivalries. Whether you’re at a local minor league game, hanging out at a sports bar, or watching the World Series, baseball conversation is often relaxed, social, and filled with playful banter about teams, stats, and star athletes.
Etymology
The word “baseball” traces back to the combination of “base,” referring to the safe zones marked on the field, and “ball,” the projectile used in play. The modern form of baseball emerged in the mid-19th century in the United States, though earlier bat-and-ball games existed in England and elsewhere. By the 1850s, organized clubs in New York had begun to codify rules, such as the famous “Knickerbocker Rules,” setting standards for base running, pitching, and batting. The term “baseball” became widespread as the National Association of Base Ball Players and later the National League formed, centralizing the sport’s regulations. Over time, variants like rounders, cricket, and town ball influenced how baseball was played, but America’s version developed a distinct identity. By the early 1900s, baseball was labeled “America’s national pastime,” reflecting the sport’s deep cultural roots. Today, while it remains closely identified with the United States, baseball also thrives internationally, with professional leagues in Asia, Latin America, and Europe. Its name, however, remains straightforward—emphasizing the four bases on the field and the small, white, leather-covered ball that drives the action.