Definition

Adverb 1. In baseball, occupying a base as a runner: Describes a player who has successfully reached and is currently positioned on first, second, or third base, and is therefore a potential runner who can advance to score.

Usage

This term is used almost exclusively in the context of baseball or softball to describe the status of a player who is a base runner. * The manager signaled for a bunt because there was a runner on base. * With two players on base, the pressure was on the pitcher.

Advanced Usage

• "Reach/get on base": To become a base runner, typically by getting a hit, a walk, or being hit by a pitch.
  • His primary goal is to get on base any way he can.
• "Left on base" (LOB): A statistic indicating the number of runners who were on base when the third out of an inning was recorded, and thus did not score.
  • The team lost despite leaving twelve men on base.

Variants and Related Words

• On-base percentage (OBP): A key baseball statistic measuring how frequently a batter reaches base.
  • A high on-base percentage is valued by modern teams.

Synonyms

• Aboard: (Baseball-specific synonym) Often used in sports reporting.
  • The home run came with two runners aboard.

Related Phrases

• "On the bases": A similar phrase describing the state of being a base runner.
  • He is a threat both at the plate and on the bases.

Adverb

1. on first or second or third base
   • Their second homer with Bob Allison aboard