safety squeeze
Definition
Noun: 1. A specific baseball play: A "safety squeeze" is a strategic play in baseball where the runner on third base does not attempt to run home until the batter has successfully made contact with the ball via a bunt. The primary goal is to score the runner from third base while minimizing the risk of the runner being thrown out at home plate.
Usage
The term "safety squeeze" is used exclusively in the context of baseball strategy to describe this cautious, contact-dependent scoring play. - The coach called for a safety squeeze to try and score the go-ahead run from third. - With a weak hitter at the plate, the safety squeeze was a smarter option than a straight steal of home.
Advanced Usage
- The "safety squeeze" is often contrasted with the more aggressive suicide squeeze, where the runner from third breaks for home as the pitcher begins the delivery, regardless of whether the batter makes contact.
- It is considered a fundamental small-ball or manufacturing-a-run tactic, typically employed in close, low-scoring games.
Variants and Related Words
- Suicide Squeeze (noun): A more aggressive version of the squeeze play where the runner from third base starts running for home as the pitcher delivers the ball, committing to the play before knowing if the batter will make contact.
- Squeeze Play (noun): The general category of offensive plays that includes both the safety squeeze and suicide squeeze, where a batter attempts a bunt to score a runner from third base.
- Bunt (noun/verb): The act of lightly tapping the ball into play without taking a full swing, which is the essential hitting technique for any squeeze play.
Synonyms
- Contact squeeze: A less common but descriptive synonym emphasizing the requirement for the batter to make contact.
Related Idioms/Phrases
- Manufacturing a run: This broader baseball idiom describes using strategic plays like steals, bunts, and hit-and-runs to score, often in contrast to relying on power hitting. Executing a safety squeeze is a classic method of "manufacturing a run."
Noun
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the runner on third base waits to start home until the batter has bunted successfully
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