safety squeeze play

Thân thiện

The runner on third base scores on a safety squeeze play.

Definition

Noun: A specific, pre-planned offensive maneuver in baseball. In this play, the runner on third base delays starting to run toward home plate until the batter has successfully made contact with the ball via a bunt, ensuring it is placed safely on the ground in fair territory. The primary objective is to score the runner from third base with minimal risk of the runner being put out.

Usage

This term is used exclusively in the context of baseball strategy and gameplay. - It describes a tactical decision made by the team's coach or manager. - It is executed during an at-bat with a runner on third base. - The key distinction from a "suicide squeeze" is the runner's delayed start, which is contingent on the bunt being successful.

Examples

• Noun:
  • With a fast runner on third, the coach called for a safety squeeze play.
  • The safety squeeze play was executed perfectly, scoring the go-ahead run.
  • They attempted a safety squeeze play, but the batter missed the bunt attempt.

Advanced Usage

• The play is often employed in close, low-scoring games where scoring a single run is critical.
• It is considered a lower-risk alternative to the "suicide squeeze," where the runner from third breaks for home as the pitcher begins the delivery, regardless of the bunt's outcome.
• The success of a safety squeeze play relies heavily on the batter's ability to make contact and bunt the ball into a location that is difficult for the fielding team to handle quickly.

Variants and Related Words

• Squeeze play (n): The general category of offensive plays involving a bunt with a runner on third base attempting to score.
• Suicide squeeze (n): A higher-risk variant where the runner from third base starts running for home plate as the pitcher delivers the ball, before the bunt is attempted.
• Bunt (n/v): The act of lightly tapping the ball into play without a full swing, which is central to executing any squeeze play.

Synonyms

• Safety squeeze (n): A common shortened form of the term.
• Conservative squeeze play (n): A descriptive synonym emphasizing its lower-risk nature.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• "Squeezing in a run": A general phrase for scoring a run via a bunt, which can encompass both safety and suicide squeeze plays.
  • They won the game by squeezing in a run in the bottom of the ninth.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the runner on third base waits to start home until the batter has bunted successfully

Từ đồng nghĩa

• safety squeeze