Definition

1. Noun:
   • A ball used in playing baseball: A small, hard sphere specifically designed for use in the sport of baseball.
   • A team sport: A game played between two teams of nine players each, where players use a bat to hit a thrown ball and then run around a series of four bases to score runs.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • He bought a new baseball for practice. (He purchased a new ball for the sport.)
  • Baseball is often called America's pastime. (The sport is frequently referred to as a traditional American leisure activity.)
  • They went to the stadium to watch a professional baseball game. (They attended a stadium to see a professional match of the sport.)

Advanced Usage

• "to play baseball": to participate in the sport.
  • She learned to play baseball when she was a child.
• "baseball game": a specific match or instance of the sport being played.
  • The championship baseball game was very exciting.

Variants and Related Words

• Baseball bat (n): The wooden or metal club used to hit the ball in the sport.
• Baseball cap (n): A type of soft cap with a rounded crown and a stiff peak, originally worn by players.
• Baseball diamond (n): The infield, shaped like a diamond, where the bases are located.
• Baseball player (n): An athlete who plays the sport.

Synonyms

• Ballgame (n): A general term for a game played with a ball, often used for baseball.
• Hardball (n): Informal term for baseball, emphasizing the use of a hard ball.

Related Idioms

• "play ball":
  • To begin or cooperate in a game of baseball.

    • The umpire yelled, "Play ball!"
  • (Figurative) To begin an activity or to cooperate.

    • We need everyone to play ball if we want this project to succeed.
• "out of left field": (Originating from baseball) Something surprising, unexpected, or odd.
  • His comment came completely out of left field.
• "cover all the bases": (Originating from baseball) To prepare for every possibility or to handle every aspect of a situation.
  • Before the launch, we need to cover all the bases.
• "step up to the plate": (Originating from baseball) To take responsibility or take one's turn to act.
  • When the manager resigned, she had to step up to the plate.

Noun

1. a ball used in playing baseball
2. a ball game played with a bat and ball between two teams of nine players; teams take turns at bat trying to score runs
   • he played baseball in high school
   • there was a baseball game on every empty lot
   • there was a desire for National League ball in the area
   • play ball!