General
baltimore chop
What does baltimore chop mean?
A ball hit sharply downward near home plate so it bounces high enough that the batter can beat it out for a hit.
"He got a lucky Baltimore chop that bounced over the third baseman's head."
Origin
From the 1890s Baltimore Orioles, whose groundskeeper packed the dirt hard around the plate to maximize the bounce.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 'Baltimore chop' in baseball?
A Baltimore chop is a ball hit sharply downward near home plate so it bounces very high, giving the batter time to beat it out for an infield hit.
Where does the term 'Baltimore chop' come from?
It comes from the 1890s Baltimore Orioles, whose groundskeeper packed the dirt hard around home plate to maximize the bounce.
How do you hit a Baltimore chop?
By chopping down on the ball so it strikes the hard ground near the plate and bounces high over the infielders' heads.
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