squeeze play

Thân thiện

The batter executes a squeeze play to bring the runner home from third base.

Definition

Noun: 1. A baseball strategy: A tactical play in baseball where a runner on third base attempts to run home and score a run at the precise moment the batter bunts (makes a soft, short hit) the pitched ball. The objective is to "squeeze" the run home safely. 2. A coercive maneuver: An aggressive attempt to force someone to agree or submit by applying concentrated pressure or through manipulative use of power or influence.

Usage Examples

• Baseball context:
  • The manager called for a squeeze play with two outs, and it worked perfectly to score the winning run.
  • Executing a successful squeeze play requires perfect timing between the batter and the runner.
• Coercive context:
  • The company used a financial squeeze play to force the smaller suppliers into accepting the new terms.
  • It was a classic political squeeze play, leveraging media pressure to compel a vote.

Advanced Usage

• "to execute/pull off a squeeze play": To successfully carry out this specific baseball strategy or coercive tactic.
  • They practiced for hours to be able to execute a squeeze play in a high-pressure game situation.
• "to be caught in a squeeze play": To be the victim of such coercive pressure, often from multiple sides.
  • The negotiator was caught in a squeeze play between the union's demands and the board's budget constraints.

Variants and Related Words

• Safety squeeze: A type of squeeze play where the runner from third base only breaks for home after seeing the bunt land safely on the ground.
• Suicide squeeze: A higher-risk type of squeeze play where the runner from third base breaks for home as the pitcher releases the ball, before knowing if the batter will make contact. If the batter misses, the runner is easily tagged out.
• Power play: A related term for a coercive strategy, often implying the use of authority or dominance to achieve an objective.

Synonyms

• Baseball context: Bunt-and-run, scoring play.
• Coercive context: Pressure tactic, strong-arm tactic, coercive maneuver, power move.

Notes on Meaning

The term operates in two distinct domains. In baseball, it is a specific, technical term for a coordinated offensive play. In broader usage, it is a metaphorical extension describing any situation where pressure is applied from one or more directions to force a specific outcome, capturing the sense of being "squeezed" with no good alternative.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a baseball play in which a runner on third base tries to score as the batter bunts the pitch
2. an aggressive attempt to compel acquiescence by the concentration or manipulation of power
   • she laughed at this sexual power play and walked away

Từ đồng nghĩa

• power play
• squeeze