Glosario

A batting result recorded when the batter reaches base safely on a batted ball without a fielding error.

A bunt where the batter intentionally makes an out to advance a runner.

The 3rd, 4th, and 5th batters in the lineup, collectively responsible for driving in runs as the core of the batting order.

A batted ball that rolls or bounces along the ground. While infield grounders are a common form of out, ground balls also serve tactical purposes.

A batting outcome where the ball is hit on the ground and the batter is thrown out at first base.

A hit on which the batter reaches third base in a single play, requiring both speed and power.

Batter hit by pitch advances to first.

A batter who can hit from both sides of the plate.

A scoring tactic where the batter bunts to bring home a runner from third base.

An extended period of below-normal offensive performance caused by a combination of mechanical and psychological factors.

A batter's ability to distinguish strikes from balls, directly affecting walk and strikeout rates.

A substitute runner replacing another player on base.

A substitute batter replacing another player.

A veteran hitter renowned for clutch performance, deployed as a pinch hitter in critical game situations. A team's trump card off the bench.

The sequence in which batters come to the plate.

The batting order of players in a game, serving as the offensive blueprint that determines scoring potential.

Runs scored as a direct result of a batter's action.

The ability to hit for extra bases. It encompasses not just home runs but the overall capacity to drive the ball into gaps and beyond the outfield.

When a baserunner advances to the next base during a pitch.

Batter advances to first after four balls.

A batted ball that travels in a high arc. While outfield fly balls are often caught for outs, the fly-ball revolution has highlighted their connection to extra-base hits.

A hit where the ball clears the outfield fence. The most spectacular batting outcome.

A sharply hit ball that travels on a low, flat trajectory. Line drives have the highest probability of becoming hits and serve as an indicator of batting quality.

The first batter in the lineup, valued for high on-base percentage and speed, serving as the catalyst for the team's offense.

A pitch thrown to the side of the plate closest to the batter. Effective for jamming hitters, but carries risk of hit-by-pitches or extra-base hits if poorly located.

A breaking pitch with topspin that drops sharply, disrupting the batter's timing through speed differential.

A pitch thrown near fastball speed with slight lateral movement, designed to miss the bat's sweet spot.

When a pitcher retires every batter faced without allowing any baserunner.

When a starting pitcher pitches the entire game without relief.

Holding the opposing team scoreless for the entire game. A solo shutout is credited to one pitcher; a combined shutout involves multiple pitchers.

The total number of pitches thrown by a pitcher in a game, critical for workload management.

The speed of a pitched ball, measured by radar gun and displayed in km/h. The most intuitive indicator of a pitcher's raw ability.

A start in which the pitcher completes at least six innings with three or fewer earned runs.

Relief pitcher who handles the final inning.

A throw by the pitcher to a base to catch or deter a baserunner, limiting lead distance and discouraging stolen base attempts.

A throw by the pitcher to a base to catch a runner off the bag or limit their lead. A critical tool for preventing stolen bases.

A pitcher who throws with the left hand. Effective against predominantly right-handed lineups and in high demand due to scarcity.

When a batter accumulates three strikes and is called out. Strikeout ability indicates pitching dominance.

The pitcher's fundamental pitch, thrown with backspin for a straight trajectory at maximum velocity.

A pitch thrown by splitting the index and middle fingers across the ball. Faster than a forkball, it drops sharply from a fastball-like trajectory.

A pitch that breaks laterally. One of the most common pitches in modern baseball.

A pitcher's ability to locate pitches precisely to intended targets. A foundational skill alongside velocity and pitch quality.

Credited to a relief pitcher who finishes a game while maintaining the lead.

Middle reliever bridging to the closer.

The pitcher who begins the game, rotating on a regular schedule to anchor the pitching staff.

A pitch thrown with fastball arm action but reduced velocity.

Surgery to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow, with high return rates but roughly a year of recovery.

A relief pitcher who bridges the gap between the starter's exit and the closer's entrance. In modern baseball, middle relievers play a pivotal role in determining game outcomes.

A pitch thrown with minimal spin that moves unpredictably.

When a pitcher allows no hits through an entire game.

A relief pitcher who enters blowout losses to preserve the workload of key bullpen arms. An unglamorous but essential role.

A pitch gripped between the index and middle fingers that drops sharply.

A collective term for pitches other than fastballs that deceive batters through variations in spin, speed, or trajectory.

A pitch so erratic that the catcher cannot reasonably catch it, allowing runners to advance.

Credited to a middle reliever who maintains the lead before passing to the next pitcher.

A pitcher who enters the game after the starter, broadly divided into middle relievers and closers.

The system of starting pitchers taking turns, with NPB predominantly using a six-man rotation on six days' rest.

A fielding statistic credited to the defender who directly records an out.

When a fielder fails to make a play that should have been made with ordinary effort.

The spatial area a fielder can cover to field batted balls, determined by speed, reaction time, and positioning accuracy.

The primary catcher who starts most games for a team. Known as the 'keystone of the fan' (ogi no kaname), the starting catcher commands the pitching staff as the defensive field general.

Runner advances after returning to base once a fly ball is caught.

Two outs recorded on a single play. The most efficient defensive outcome.

An out recorded when a fielder catches a batted ball in the air before it touches the ground.

A pitch that the catcher should have handled but fails to catch, allowing runners to advance.

A fielding credit given to a player whose throw contributes to recording an out.

A play where the defense attempts to retire a preceding runner instead of the batter-runner.

A player contracted outside the active roster limit, wearing a three-digit uniform number and ineligible for first-team official games.

Automatic out on pop fly with runners on 1st and 2nd or bases loaded.

Process giving other teams the opportunity to claim a player.

The most severe disciplinary action in NPB, permanently barring an individual from the sport. Imposed for acts that fundamentally compromise baseball's integrity, such as match fixing or gambling involvement.

A system that grants players who meet certain criteria the right to terminate their current contract and negotiate freely with other teams.

A double awarded when a fair ball bounces into the stands.

Additional innings played when the score is tied after nine, with NPB allowing up to 12 innings before declaring a draw.

The limit on the number of foreign players each NPB club may field simultaneously in first-team games, with specific rules governing the pitcher-position player breakdown.

The minimum number of plate appearances required to qualify for batting titles. In NPB, it is calculated as the team's scheduled games multiplied by 3.1.

The umpire positioned behind home plate who calls balls and strikes. The most critical official governing the flow of the game.

Postseason tournament among top three teams.

A tactical decision to deliberately walk a batter by issuing four balls intentionally.

Official games between Central and Pacific League teams.

A game terminated by the umpire before completion due to weather, darkness, or other conditions.

The act of illegally decoding an opposing team's signs. Organized sign stealing using electronic devices is strictly prohibited.

A victory achieved when the home team scores the go-ahead run in the bottom of the final inning or later, ending the game immediately.

A player who bats in place of the pitcher. Used in the Pacific League.

The registration status that qualifies a player for official first-team and farm-team games in NPB. Each club may register up to 70 players, distinct from development players.

The termination of a player's contract, making them free to sign with any club. Typically follows a non-tender or release decision.

A rule allowing the manager to send a batter to first base without any pitches being thrown. Officially adopted in NPB in 2018.

A compensation system requiring the acquiring club in an FA transaction to transfer an unprotected player to the player's former club.

An official who makes rule-based judgments during games, including ball-strike calls and safe-out decisions on the bases.

The spatial area in which a pitch is called a strike, defined by the width of home plate and the height from the batter's knees to the midpoint of the torso.

A disciplinary action in which the umpire removes a player, manager, or coach from the game. Causes include dangerous pitches, abusive language, and excessive arguing.

A special rule starting extra innings with runners on first and second to accelerate resolution.

Two games of the same series played consecutively at the same venue on the same day, typically to make up rain-cancelled games.

A rule allowing a designated batter to hit in place of the pitcher, adopted by NPB's Pacific League since 1975 while the Central League continues without it.

When a pitch strikes the batter's body, awarding the batter first base. Pitches near the head are penalized severely as dangerous balls.

The use of prohibited substances to illegally enhance performance. NPB conducts testing under its anti-doping regulations.

The annual meeting where professional teams select amateur players.

Annual championship between Central and Pacific League champions.

A system where a third-party panel determines fair salary when player-team negotiations reach impasse.

A ruling on whether a batter stopped the swing in time; the ambiguous criteria often spark debate.

A rule imposing a time limit between pitches, introduced in MLB to shorten game duration.

A batted ball that lands outside the foul lines. Counted as a strike up to two strikes, but additional fouls do not advance the count.

A player contract guaranteeing two or more years. It helps clubs retain key players while providing players with long-term financial security.

A system allowing players who meet certain criteria to freely choose their next team.

A list of 28 players protected by the acquiring club in FA player compensation. Players not on the list may be claimed by the departing player's former club.

Illegal pitching motion; all runners advance one base.

A system allowing NPB players to transfer to MLB before earning FA rights.

A situation where runners occupy first, second, and third base simultaneously. It represents the greatest scoring opportunity for the offense and the most critical threat for the defense.

The act of predetermining the outcome of a game. The most serious violation in professional sports, punishable by permanent expulsion.

Gambling on the outcomes of professional baseball games. Player involvement is strictly prohibited and subject to severe penalties upon discovery.

A system allowing managers to challenge umpire calls and request video review. Officially introduced in NPB in 2018.

A system using video footage to re-examine close calls, introduced in NPB in 2010 for home run reviews and gradually expanded to cover additional play types.

Walks plus hits allowed per inning pitched. Measures a pitcher's consistency.

A pitching metric calculated solely from home runs allowed, walks, and strikeouts, isolating pitcher performance from defensive influence.

The top individual award given to the most outstanding player of the season, one per league.

On-base percentage plus slugging percentage. A simple composite measure of overall offensive ability.

The number of revolutions per minute a pitch makes from release to home plate, a key metric for evaluating pitch quality.

A victory credited to a pitcher. A starter must pitch at least five innings and leave with the lead, which the team maintains through the final out.

A measure of the gap between a team and the leader in the standings, expressed in half-game increments.

Award for the best defensive player at each position.

An award given to the best defensive player at each position, selected by media vote with nine winners per league.

The title awarded to the pitcher with the most wins in a season.

The title awarded to the pitcher with the lowest ERA in a season, the premier pitching metric.

NPB's most prestigious pitching award.

Leading the league in batting average, home runs, and RBI simultaneously.

A run scored without the aid of errors or passed balls, forming the basis for ERA calculation.

The title awarded to the batter with the highest batting average in a season, requiring qualifying plate appearances.

The rate at which a batter reaches base, including hits, walks, and hit-by-pitches.

Wins divided by total decisions, used to determine team standings and league champions.

The award given to the best first-year player in each league.

The empirical analysis of baseball through statistics, named after SABR (Society for American Baseball Research).

The vertical angle at which the ball leaves the bat relative to the ground, a core concept of the fly ball revolution.

The speed of the ball immediately after contact with the bat. A metric that has rapidly gained prominence as a measure of batted-ball quality.

The speed of the ball as it leaves the bat, the most direct measure of a hitter's raw power.

The number of batting opportunities used to calculate batting average, excluding walks, sacrifices, and hit-by-pitches.

Every completed turn at bat, including walks and sacrifices; a broader concept than at bats.

The number of strikeouts a pitcher records per nine innings. A measure of pitching dominance, with higher values indicating greater ability to overpower batters.

The title awarded to the batter who drives in the most runs during a season. Valued as a measure of clutch hitting with runners in scoring position.

Comprehensive metric showing wins contributed above a replacement-level player.

A comprehensive batting metric that weights each offensive outcome by its run-scoring value.

Hits divided by at-bats. The most fundamental measure of hitting ability.

Total bases divided by at-bats. Measures a batter's power.

The use of statistical data and tracking technology to scientifically analyze player performance and tactics. The foundation of decision-making in modern baseball.

The title awarded to the player who records the most stolen bases in a season. It represents the pinnacle of baserunning skill and judgment.

A statistical measure showing the average number of runs expected to score from a given base-out state through the end of the inning.

Data on pitch and batted-ball trajectory, velocity, and spin captured by measurement systems, forming the foundation of modern baseball analytics.

The optimal combination of exit velocity and launch angle most likely to produce extra-base hits. A key concept in data-driven batting evaluation.

A catcher's mitt technique to present borderline pitches as strikes or secure strike calls on pitches in the zone.

An award selecting the best player at each position, determined by reporter voting.

Average earned runs allowed per nine innings pitched. The most basic measure of pitching ability.

The title awarded to the batter who hits the most home runs in a season. One of the most prestigious individual batting honors.

A pitching strategy where a reliever starts the game for a short stint before handing off to a bulk pitcher who covers the middle innings.

A late-game tactical substitution replacing a player with a superior defender to protect a lead, prioritizing defense over offense.

A tactical repositioning of fielders from standard alignment based on batter spray chart data.

A fixed bullpen sequence for protecting leads in the late innings, with designated relievers handling the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings.

The system in which starting pitchers take turns on the mound. NPB typically uses a six-man rotation with each pitcher starting every seventh day.

The strategic combination of pitch type, location, and speed variation to retire batters. It requires the catcher's game-calling and the pitcher's execution working in unison.

A batting technique where the batter holds the bat still to tap the ball into play. Used in various tactical situations including sacrifice bunts, safety bunts, and squeeze plays.

A lineup strategy that alternates players at the same position based on the opposing pitcher's handedness.

The catcher's role in directing pitch selection and location to retire batters.

A relief pitching strategy where a pitcher enters to face a single batter, typically a left-handed pitcher brought in to retire a left-handed hitter.

The owner or parent company representative of a club, holding ultimate authority over management decisions and participating in league governance through the owners' meeting.

The head of a team responsible for all on-field decisions, from in-game strategy to season-long roster management.

The overall business operations of a professional baseball club, sustained by parent company funding, broadcasting rights, ticket sales, and merchandise revenue.

The post-season process in which clubs and players negotiate the following year's salary and contract terms, typically held in November and December.

A professional evaluator who observes and assesses amateur or professional players, forming the backbone of a club's draft and acquisition strategy.

A coach responsible for technical instruction of the pitching staff and in-game bullpen management decisions. The manager's right hand on all pitching matters.

A minor league organization below the top team used for player development and rehabilitation in NPB.

The management and operations division of a club, comprising the GM, scouting department, and player personnel staff who oversee roster construction.

Exhibition games played before the regular season. While not counted in official records, they serve as critical opportunities for roster decisions.

The first game of the regular season. It holds special significance as the curtain-raiser for each club's new campaign.

Official regular-season games between Central and Pacific League teams, introduced in 2005 to bridge the two leagues and expand fan bases.

A game played in the evening under artificial lighting, the standard weekday format in NPB with a typical 6 PM start.

The regular-season championship race in NPB, where teams compete over 143 games to claim the league pennant based on winning percentage.

The collective term for the Climax Series and Japan Series held after the regular season to determine the annual champion through short playoff series.

An outdoor stadium in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Home of the Yakult Swallows and revered as the spiritual home of college baseball.

Real grass planted on the playing field. Compared to artificial turf, it places less physical stress on players and produces different batted-ball behavior.

A fully enclosed stadium with a roof, enabling games regardless of weather. Six NPB teams use domed stadiums as home venues.

A specially arranged final game with ceremony for a player who has made long-term contributions to the team. A uniquely Japanese baseball tradition.

The practice of permanently removing a uniform number from use to honor a player who made historic contributions to the team.

Songs sung by fans for each team or individual player. A distinctive tradition that symbolizes NPB's spectator culture.

Hardball baseball played at Japanese high schools. The Spring Invitational and Summer Championship at Koshien are the two premier tournaments and serve as a major pipeline to professional baseball.

A pre-game ceremony in which a guest throws a single pitch. Celebrities and dignitaries are invited to add pageantry to the game's opening.

Competitive hardball baseball played by university teams. The Tokyo Big6 Baseball League sits at its apex, and it serves as a major talent pipeline to NPB.

The television broadcasting of professional baseball games. Once the centerpiece of national entertainment, it remains a vital revenue source for club operations and the sport's popularity.

A costumed character representing a baseball club, central to game entertainment and fan engagement, and a key element of team branding strategy.

An honorary association of players who achieved 2,000 career hits or 200 career wins in NPB. One of the highest honors for a professional baseball player.

An institution honoring individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Japanese baseball. Inductees' portrait reliefs are displayed at the Baseball Hall of Fame Museum in Tokyo Dome.

The official team apparel worn by players during games. It symbolizes team identity and is a flagship merchandise product.

A pitcher's technique of delivering quickly from the set position with runners on base, essential for controlling the running game.

The sequence of body movements a pitcher executes when delivering the ball. Fundamental to velocity, command, and injury prevention.

A temporary suspension of play due to rain, with the umpire crew deciding duration and resumption.

Exhibition game featuring selected players from both leagues.

Winning a game after trailing at some point during play. A comeback victory encapsulates the drama that makes professional baseball compelling.

Pre-season training camp held in February.

The 2004 structural crisis in NPB. Proposed mergers and team reductions triggered the players' union strike, ultimately leading to sweeping institutional reforms.

The iconic stadium hosting national high school baseball tournaments and home of the Hanshin Tigers.

The highest authority in NPB, elected by the owners' meeting of all 12 clubs, with powers over league governance, rule-making, and dispute resolution.

A play where the home team scores the winning run in the final inning or later, ending the game.

Amateur hardball baseball played by teams sponsored by corporations and organizations. The Intercity Baseball Tournament is its premier event, and it serves as a key talent pipeline to NPB.

Pre-season intensive training held in warm-climate regions, serving as the starting point for team building.

A labor action in which the players' union refuses to play games following a breakdown in negotiations with team owners. NPB experienced its first and only strike in 2004.

The identifying number on a player's uniform, carrying unique cultural significance in NPB.

The labor union comprising all NPB players, responsible for protecting player rights, improving conditions, and conducting collective bargaining with team owners.

A team's notification to a player that they will not be offered a contract for the following season.

The premier international baseball tournament organized by MLB, with Japan winning three titles.

Professional baseball leagues not affiliated with NPB. They serve as a pathway for players aspiring to reach NPB and as community-based platforms for promoting baseball.

A joint audition for players released from their teams, seeking to sign with another club. Held annually in November in NPB.

A transaction exchanging players between teams, relatively rare in NPB due to numerous barriers.

The minor league affiliate for player development.

A player who contributes at the top level as both a pitcher and a hitter. The concept gained global attention through Shohei Ohtani's success.

A player's yearly compensation from the team, negotiated annually during contract renewal in NPB.

The term for the pitcher-catcher combination. The trust and coordination between the two form the foundation of a team's defense.

Playing at the opposing team's home stadium, or the team in that position. The counterpart of the home team.

The minor-league organization maintained by each NPB club, serving as a development ground for young players and a rehabilitation venue for injured players.

Area where relief pitchers warm up; also refers to the relief corps.

The coach who assists the manager with in-game tactical decisions and serves as acting manager in the manager's absence.

The statistical edge enjoyed by teams playing at their home stadium, attributed to fan support, reduced travel fatigue, and familiarity with the environment.

The number of wins needed to clinch the title, decreasing by one with each win or rival loss.

A phased recovery program for injured players working toward a return to competition, typically involving rehabilitation assignments in the farm team.

Consecutive victories by a team or pitcher. A barometer of momentum that often proves decisive in pennant races.

Consecutive losses by a team. A losing streak severely impacts morale and standings and can trigger a managerial change.