Baseball Slang All Players (and True Fans) Should Know

Slang is part of all cultures and subcultures, and baseball is no different.

Below you’ll find some of the most common modern baseball phrases.

Whether you’re trying drop fun baseball terms to impress your friends or Googling something you heard, you’re in the right spot.

Baseball Fielding Slang

What does “dig me” mean in baseball? 

“Dig me” is a phrase used mostly by infielders throwing to first base.  A dig occurs when a player scoops a thrown ball after it bounces.

When a fielder’s throw is low, they may beg the first basemen (or whoever is receiving the ball) to “dig me.”

What does turn 2 mean in baseball? 

Turn 2 refers to turning a double play. It is most common at higher levels, and the most common type of double play is a 6-4-3. 

It’s also possibly the most visually pleasing play on a baseball field.

What does 6 4 3 mean in baseball?  

6-4-3 refers to a double play in which a ground ball is hit to the shortstop, and he throws (or tosses) the ball to the second baseman, who steps on second base and throws it to the first baseman in time to get both the runner and the hitter out.

It is the most common type of double play in baseball.

The numbers refer to how the play is scored in a traditional baseball scorebook.

What does roll it up mean in baseball? 

Roll it up in baseball means to turn a double play. The phrase is usually used to encourage infielders to be ready to turn 2 because there is a runner on first and less than two outs. 

Once at a game, a mom said “roll it up” while our team was hitting. I didn’t correct her, because she was the coach’s wife. Don’t be her.

Example use: “Roll it up, and let’s get out of this inning, boys.”

What does can of corn mean in baseball?

In baseball, “can of corn” refers to an easy fly ball.

Example use: “That’s a can of corn—even Sam could catch that.”

What is the dish?

The dish is home plate.

Example use: “Who’s behind the dish tonight?” (Who’s playing catcher?)

What does skull mean in baseball?

A skull when a pitcher hits a batter in the head with a pitched ball.

It may also refer to a mental error.

BASEBALL HITTING SLANG

What is a daddy hack?

A daddy hack in baseball refers to a max effort swing by a batter. 

Example use: “I’m taking a daddy hack on the first fastball he throws me.”

What does oppo mean in baseball?

Oppo is short for opposite field. If the hitter is right handed, an oppo would be to right field; if the batter is left handed, oppo would be to left field.

Sometimes but not always refers to a homerun. An opposite field homerun is often called an “oppo taco.” 

Example use: “He went oppo in the second inning.”

What does rake mean in baseball?

To rake in baseball means to hit well. The metaphor is that when you rake you are collecting all the leaves in one “swing” or drag of the rake. When a hitter is raking, he is making good contact and getting a lot of hits. 

Example: “Dude, you’re raking this weekend.” 

What is a dinger in baseball? 

A dinger is a homerun. 

Hit Nukes

To hit nukes in baseball is to hit balls hard. Often homeruns, but not always. 

This phrase was recently popularized by the dudes over at Baseball Bat Bros.

Baseball Tanks

To hit tanks in baseball is to hit homeruns.

Baseball Tater

To hit taters in baseball is to hit homeruns.

What does go yard mean in baseball?

To go yard in baseball is to hit a homerun.

Baseball knock

In baseball, a knock is a base it—single, double, triple, or homerun.