Important Idioms from Baseball

I was preparing some Baseball idioms and expressions for one of my clients that I will see tomorrow, when I thought that I should at least add a few here, on this blog, for you too! ;)

It is easy to find lots of sites that have baseball idioms and expressions. You can find many with a simple search. However, knowing the idioms does not mean that you understand it. Therefore I suggest you also find a source that explains what the expressions mean as well.

For now, here is an excerpt from one such blog:

Baseball English – Important Idioms
(excerpt from “Kenneth”, a blogger on English Café.com) http://www.englishcafe.com/node/8616

Baseball Terminology

to get to first base - There are four bases in baseball. You must get to first base to start.
to come out of left field - to be thrown from the left part of the playing surface. This includes third base and the left outfielder position.
to have two strikes against you - Three strikes and you are out in baseball.
to hit a home run - to hit a ball which can not be fielded and sends the batter around the bases to score a run.
ballpark figure - The ballpark is where baseball is played.
to play hardball - Major league baseball is hardball. A hardball is a small, hard ball. There is also softball which is larger and softer.
to touch base - To touch the base with your foot
to pinch-hit - to bat for someone else
major league - the top professional baseball league
minor league - the secondary professional baseball league
to play the field - to catch, throw and generally play baseball. Playing the field is the defensive position of a team, while batting is the offensive position.

Baseball Idioms

to get to first base - accomplish the first step in a process
to come out of left field - to not be related to the current topic / to seem strange in a given situation
to have two strikes against you - to be in a difficult situation
to hit a home run - to have a large success
ballpark figure - a rough financial estimate, not exact but enough to give an indication
to play hardball - to be extremely competitive often in an unfair manner
to touch base - to contact someone - often someone with whom you haven't been in contact for a long time
to pinch-hit - to substitute for someone
major league - serious competition or competitor
minor league - competition which is not threatening (opposite of major league)
to play the field - to date several different people

You can follow the title above to get to Kenneth's full posting, including a quiz!
Enjoy!