ground ball

[ ground bawl ]

noun

, Baseball.

1. a batted ball that rolls or bounces along the ground without having first risen in the air, as opposed to a fly ball.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ground ball¹

First recorded in 1830–40, in cricket use; as an Americanism in 1855–60, in baseball use

Example Sentences

In the bottom of the seventh inning with a runner on second in a tie game, Herbert hit a slow ground ball on what should have been a routine play.

From Los Angeles Times

With two outs, Betts hit a soft ground ball up the first base line.

From Los Angeles Times

After that game, several newspaper stories speculated that Scioscia’s entrance as catcher into the game had been much more important than his eventual game-winning ground ball.

From Los Angeles Times

Freeman was a limited participant in Thursday’s workout, but he fielded ground balls and threw to second base, ran the bases and took batting practice on the field during Friday’s workout.

From Los Angeles Times

Worse, he didn’t run out a ground ball, played with a smirk and explained himself thusly: “I’m not a player that’s going to be ‘Johnny Hustle.’

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bunt
• chopper
• comebacker
• grounder
• roller