A play by a fielder, which helps to put out a base runner or batter. For example, a ground ball is hit to the shortstop, who throws to first base to get the batter out. The shortstop is credited with an assist; the first base player is credited with the putout.

An offensive player's turn at bat.

A fence behind home plate used to stop balls that get past the catcher.

The number of balls and strikes on the batter.

The three white bags located at the 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd base positions. First base is often a “safety base” – a double base, half white and half orange, with the white portion for use by the fielder and the orange portion by the batter, to avoid collisions.

A ball batted into the field of play, which enables the batter to reach base without any putout or error being made by the defensive team.

The lines, which start at home plate and go out at a 90-degree angle, separating fair and foul territories.

When four balls are pitched to a batter, she proceeds automatically to first base.

A (notional) three-foot wide path between the bases.

Base runners occupying all three bases.

Rectangles marked on the ground on either side of home plate in which the batter stands, depending on whether she is right handed or left handed. Hitting the ball without both feet remaining in the batter's box during the swing results in the batter being called out.

The number produced when a player's hits are divided by her number of at-bats (walks, sacrifice bunts, sacrifice flies and hit-by-pitch do not count as an at-bat). A player coming to bat 10 times and getting three hits has a batting average of .300.

The order in which the players in each team go up to bat.

Gripping the bat higher up the handle to achieve better bat control.

A ball hit, thrown or carried outside the playing area; or when time is called by the umpire.

The action of the pitcher when pitching the ball.

This player is referred to as the “DP” and may be used to substitute as a batter for any defensive player in the line-up, provided this is made known prior to the start of the game and her name is entered on the line-up sheet as one of the nine hitters in the batting order. Please see further rules applied to the “DP” in the Rules section.

The whole field of play – the infield plus the outfield.

A base hit where the batter makes it to second base.

A play in which two putouts are achieved.

A missed opportunity by a fielder to make an out or to stop runners advancing around the bases. Example: a ball is hit on the ground towards the shortstop, but goes through her legs instead of being caught and thrown to a base.

A batted ball hit into the field of play.

The area of the field within the base lines in front of and including home plate.

When a fielder (defensive player) makes an out on a base runner rather than on the batter when both options are possible.

A ball batted into the air.

When there are no open bases behind a base runner, she will be forced to advance to the next base when the batter hits the ball into play. This runner can then be put out if the ball is thrown to a fielder standing on the base to which she is advancing. No tag is required (see Tag Play below).

A ball hit outside fair territory. If a foul fly ball is caught in Foul Territory – the area between a base line and the dead ball line – the batter is out.

The area of the playing field between the base lines and the dead ball lines, including the area behind home plate.

A home run hit with the bases loaded.

A ball hit on the ground between the 1 st and 2 nd base players or between the shortstop and 3 rd base players.

A five-sided plate laid on the ground between the batter's boxes, across which the pitcher must pitch the ball. To score a run, a base runner must touch home plate after completing a journey around the other three bases.

A hit which enables the batter to get all the way around the bases and back to home plate (thus scoring a run) without stopping and without the fielding team making an error.

The host team. The home team always bats second in each inning.

That part of the diamond bounded by the four bases (including home plate). In practice, the infield is slightly larger than simply the area inside the baselines.

Normally, the act of a batter or runner impeding a fielder.

A well-struck fly ball travelling on more of a flat line than a high arc.

Normally, the act of a fielder impeding a batter or runner.

The next batter due up after the batter currently at the plate.

Putting out a batter or runner.

The area of the playing field (diamond) beyond the infield.

The rectangular rubber slab from which the pitcher pitches the ball. Both feet must be contact with the plate in fastpitch before the ball is released.

The batter who hits the ball which enables a runner to score is credited with an RBI, except when the batter has hit into a double play or when the run scores because of an error made on that hit.

This occurs when a runner is caught between two bases while fielders attempt to tag her out.

This occurs when, with less than two out, the batter hits a ball into the outfield, which is caught, following which a runner is subsequently able to score without being put out.

A call made by an umpire to indicate that a batter or runner has made it to a base without being put out.

A hit where the batter makes it to first base.

The action of a base runner sliding into a base or home plate to avoid a tag.

A left-handed player. The term usually refers to left-handed pitchers.

When three strikes are called against a batter, the batter is out.

An area above home plate between the armpit and the knees of the batter, through which the pitched ball must pass for a strike to be called by an umpire.

A batter who can bat left or right handed.

The act of a fielder tagging a base runner with the ball either in her hand or glove. When a base runner is not forced to advance (because there is an open base behind her), she can only be put out by being tagged before she reaches base; simply standing on the base with the ball will not do. See Force Play , above.

The act of a runner returning to or remaining at the base she was occupying when a fly ball is hit. The reason for tagging up is because the runner can advance after the catch providing she is touching the base when or after the catch is made.

A hit where the batter makes it to third base.

A play in which three put outs are achieved. Triple plays are rare!

The official who adjudicates the game.

The visiting team always bats first in each inning.