General
in the hole
What does in the hole mean?
The hitter who is second in line to bat, following the on-deck batter.
"He's in the hole, so he starts loosening up."
Origin
American baseball slang, likely a corruption of 'in the hold' (nautical), continuing the on-deck metaphor.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'in the hole' mean in baseball?
It refers to the batter who is second in line to hit, following the on-deck hitter.
Where does 'in the hole' come from?
It's likely a corruption of the nautical phrase 'in the hold,' extending the seafaring 'on deck' metaphor to the next batter.
What's the order of batters coming up?
The current hitter is at bat, the next is 'on deck,' and the one after that is 'in the hole.'
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