Definition

1. Noun:
   • A sacrifice made by hitting a long fly ball: In baseball, a "sacrifice fly" is a specific type of play where a batter hits a fly ball that is caught by a fielder for an out, but this out allows a runner on base to score a run after the catch. The batter is credited with a run batted in (RBI) but is not charged with a time at bat.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • With a runner on third base and less than two outs, he hit a deep sacrifice fly to center field to bring in the run.
  • The game-winning run scored on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth inning.
  • A successful sacrifice fly requires both a well-hit ball and a baserunner who is fast or tags up effectively.

Advanced Usage

• Statistical Abbreviation: Often abbreviated as SF in baseball statistics and scorekeeping.
  • He led the league with 12 sacrifice flies last season.
• Strategic Context: The term is used to describe a strategic, selfless at-bat intended to advance the team's score rather than the batter's personal statistics.
  • The manager called for a sacrifice fly, and the batter executed it perfectly.

Variants and Related Words

• Sacrifice Bunt (n): A different type of sacrifice play where the batter bunts the ball to advance a runner, also resulting in the batter being put out.
• Sacrifice Hit (n): An older, more general term that can encompass both sacrifice flies and sacrifice bunts.

Synonyms

• Sacrifice (n): In baseball, a more general term for an at-bat that results in an out but advances a runner. A sacrifice fly is a specific type of sacrifice.
• Fly Out (n): Refers to any fly ball that is caught for an out. Not all fly outs are sacrifice flies, as a sacrifice fly requires a runner to score.

Related Phrases

• Tag up (v): The action a baserunner must take after a fly ball is caught, by retouching ("tagging") their original base before attempting to advance. This is a critical part of the sacrifice fly play.
  • The runner on third must tag up before trying to score on a sacrifice fly.
• Bring in a run (v phrase): To cause a run to score. A sacrifice fly brings in a run.
  • The team needed a way to bring in a run from third base.

Noun

1. a sacrifice made by hitting a long fly ball