warning track

noun

, Baseball.

1. a strip, often consisting of a cinder or dirt track, bordering the outer edge of the outfield between the outfield turf and the stadium wall that alerts outfielders that the wall is near, especially as they back up to catch a fly ball.

Word History and Origins

Origin of warning track¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

The other fan then grabbed the wrist of Betts’ throwing hand and yanked on it so the outfielder couldn’t grab the ball, which squirted out of Betts’ glove and fell onto the dirt warning track.

From Los Angeles Times

With Phillips’ pitch count at 34, manager Dave Roberts summoned right-hander Blake Treinen to face pinch-hitter Jesse Winker, who put a charge into a 95-mph fastball and sent a line drive to the warning track in right field, where Betts made the inning-ending catch.

From Los Angeles Times

A stiff breeze with gusts up to 16 mph blew from left field to right field in chilly Citi Field on Wednesday night, knocking down a pair of Francisco Lindor drives that died on the warning track in center field in the first inning and left field in the fifth, and a 388-foot Mark Vientos drive that fizzled at the center-field wall in the fifth.

From Los Angeles Times

Profar, the San Diego left fielder, ran to the warning track and leaned into the crowd, fighting for the ball amid a sea of opposing fans and outstretched arms.

From Los Angeles Times

Betts came down on the warning track and remained seated while Blackmon rounded third and headed for home.

From Los Angeles Times