Definition

Noun: A batted baseball that is hit sharply and travels on a relatively straight, low trajectory, typically reaching the outfield quickly without touching the ground. It is a type of hard-hit ball in baseball.

Usage

A "line drive" is a specific term in baseball for a powerfully hit ball. It describes the ball's flight path more than the act of hitting itself. - The batter hit a line drive into the left-center field gap for a double. - The shortstop made a fantastic leaping catch to snag the line drive.

Advanced Usage

• "to line out": This is the verb phrase meaning to be put out by a fielder catching a line drive.
  • The powerful hitter lined out to the third baseman to end the inning.
• "line-drive single/double/etc.": Used to specify the type of hit a line drive resulted in.
  • He drove in the run with a line-drive single up the middle.

Variants and Related Words

• Liner (noun): A common, informal synonym for "line drive."
  • The batter smashed a hard liner right at the first baseman.

Synonyms

• Rope (noun, informal): A very hard-hit line drive.
• Shot (noun, informal): A hard-hit ball, which can include line drives.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• "Hit on a line": To hit the ball directly in a line drive trajectory.
  • He has the ability to hit the ball on a line to all fields.

Noun

1. (baseball) a hit that flies straight out from the batter
   • the batter hit a liner to the shortstop