fungo

[ fuhng-goh ]

noun

, Baseball.

, plural fun·goes.

1. (in practice sessions) a ball tossed into the air by the batter and struck as it comes down.
2. a batted ball, especially a fly ball, hit in this manner.
3. Also called fungo bat. a bat used in hitting fungoes, being lighter, longer, and narrower than an ordinary baseball bat.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fungo¹

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70; of obscure origin

Example Sentences

“I didn’t come in here worried about the circumstances because the only way to change them is to help make that change,” Washington said, dragging on a cigarette with his trusty black fungo bat in hand in the Angels’ dugout.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s why, every day, Betts is on the field early, taking full-intensity grounders off a fungo training bat while a large clock times his ability to turn plays at game speed — 4.3 seconds is the standard time to beat.

From Los Angeles Times

The coaches played “fungo golf” which they got one swing with a fungo bat on a baseball to try and hit it as close to a flagstick, which was being held the Mariners Moose, for three different holes.

From Seattle Times

One goalpost was mounted near the third-base fungo circle.

From Seattle Times

After hitting against Gonsolin, Lux fielded ground balls off the fungo bat of a coach until he was huffing, puffing and sweating profusely before the game.

From Los Angeles Times