General
small ball
What does small ball mean?
A style of play that scores runs through bunts, steals, and situational hitting rather than home runs.
"With no power in the lineup, they played small ball to scratch out a run."
Origin
American baseball slang contrasting a low-scoring, tactical style with power hitting.
Frequently asked questions
What is 'small ball' in baseball?
Small ball is a tactical style of scoring runs through bunts, stolen bases, and situational hitting rather than home runs.
How is small ball different from power hitting?
Power hitting relies on home runs and big innings, while small ball manufactures single runs one base at a time.
When do teams play small ball?
Teams lean on small ball when they lack power, need one crucial run late in a close game, or want to pressure the defense.
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