General
hot corner
What does hot corner mean?
Third base, so named because hard-hit balls reach the third baseman quickly and dangerously.
"He's a slick fielder at the hot corner with quick reflexes."
Origin
American baseball slang coined in the 1880s for the perilous third-base position.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 'hot corner' in baseball?
The hot corner is third base, named for how quickly and dangerously hard-hit balls reach the third baseman.
Why is third base called the 'hot corner'?
Right-handed pull hitters often smash sharp grounders and line drives down the third-base line, giving the fielder little reaction time.
When did the term 'hot corner' start?
It dates to the 1880s in American baseball, describing the perilous nature of playing third base.
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