batting order: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Informal, Technical (Sports)
Quick answer
What does “batting order” mean?
In baseball and cricket, the sequence in which players come to bat.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In baseball and cricket, the sequence in which players come to bat.
A general term for a pre-arranged sequence for participation or performance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, it is associated primarily with cricket. In the US, it is associated primarily with baseball. Metaphorical use is understood in both but more frequent in US business/speech.
Connotations
In both contexts, it implies strategy and planning. In the US, it carries strong baseball associations; in the UK, strong cricket associations.
Frequency
Higher frequency in the US due to baseball's cultural prominence; still common in the UK within cricket coverage.
Grammar
How to Use “batting order” in a Sentence
to set [the/our/their] batting orderto be at/near the top/bottom of the batting orderto move [someone] up/down the batting orderVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “batting order” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The captain is still batting order decisions over with the coach.
- They need to batting-order the team strategically for the run chase.
American English
- The manager is batting ordering the lineup to maximize left-right matchups.
- He batted-ordered the rookies lower down to reduce pressure.
adjective
British English
- The batting-order strategy was leaked to the press.
- They held a batting-order meeting before play.
American English
- The batting-order card was handed to the umpire.
- A last-minute batting-order change surprised everyone.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorical: 'We need to decide the batting order for the client presentations.'
Academic
Rare, unless discussing sports sociology or strategic planning metaphors.
Everyday
Mostly used when discussing or watching baseball/cricket. Metaphorical use understood but not dominant.
Technical
Core sports term with specific tactical implications (e.g., placing a power hitter fourth).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “batting order”
- Using 'batting order' to mean any simple list without the connotation of a strategic performance sequence.
- Confusing it with 'bowling order' (cricket) or 'pitching rotation' (baseball).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is commonly used as a metaphor in business, politics, and any context involving a planned sequence of participants or events, e.g., 'the batting order for the project presentations'.
In sports, they are often synonymous. However, 'batting order' specifically refers to the sequence for batting, while 'lineup' can refer to the starting players in general, not necessarily their batting sequence. Metaphorically, 'batting order' emphasises the strategic sequence more strongly.
Informally, especially in sports journalism and team discussions, it can be used as a verb (e.g., 'How will you batting-order the side?'), but this is considered non-standard and is not found in formal dictionaries.
It means to be first in a sequence, especially the first to perform, speak, or attempt something important, often implying a position of priority or importance.
In baseball and cricket, the sequence in which players come to bat.
Batting order is usually informal, technical (sports) in register.
Batting order: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbætɪŋ ˌɔːdə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbæt̬ɪŋ ˌɔːrdər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to be at the top of the batting order”
- “to change the batting order mid-innings”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a cricket or baseball team sitting on a bench in the exact ORDER they will go in to BAT.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A GAME; A SERIES OF TASKS IS A BATTING ORDER (structured sequence for performance).
Practice
Quiz
In which of these contexts is the metaphorical use of 'batting order' MOST appropriate?