gopher ball: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1specialized slang, sports journalism, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “gopher ball” mean?
In baseball, a pitch that is hit for a home run, especially a home run allowed by a pitcher.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In baseball, a pitch that is hit for a home run, especially a home run allowed by a pitcher.
The term is an idiomatic expression used almost exclusively within the context of baseball. It metaphorically implies a pitch that is served up perfectly for the batter to hit out of the park, much like a "gopher" might be thought to pop up from its hole. There is no extended meaning in general English.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
This term is unknown and unused in British English, as it refers to a sport (baseball) not native to the UK. No equivalent cricket term exists with this phrasing.
Connotations
In American English, it is a colorful, informal sports term. In British English, it would be nonsensical.
Frequency
Very frequent in American baseball discourse; zero frequency in British English.
Grammar
How to Use “gopher ball” in a Sentence
PITCHER + give up/allow/serve up + gopher ball + to + BATTERBATTER + hit/crush/drive + gopher ballVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gopher ball” in a Sentence
verb
American English
- The rookie gopher-balled his way to a loss. (very rare, non-standard)
adjective
American English
- He had a gopher-ball problem in the third inning. (rare, attributive use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used, except in historical or cultural studies of sports.
Everyday
Not used in everyday conversation outside of baseball fans discussing a game.
Technical
Used technically within baseball analysis and commentary.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gopher ball”
- Using it as a verb ('He gopher-balled the batter').
- Applying it to sports other than baseball.
- Capitalizing it as a proper noun.
- Thinking it refers to a type of ball (object) rather than an event (a pitch-hit sequence).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. The 'gopher ball' is the specific *pitch* that is hit for a home run. The home run is the result.
Its etymology is uncertain. The most common theory is that it originates from the idea that the ball 'goes for' a home run ('go-fer'). Another theory links it humorously to the gopher animal, suggesting the ball is as easy to hit as a gopher popping up.
Yes, but usually in a self-deprecating or critical way after a poor performance. They are more likely to say they 'gave up a homer' or 'made a mistake' in formal interviews.
No. It is firmly rooted in baseball culture and terminology. Using it in other sports would cause confusion.
In baseball, a pitch that is hit for a home run, especially a home run allowed by a pitcher.
Gopher ball is usually specialized slang, sports journalism, colloquial in register.
Gopher ball: in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡoʊfər ˌbɔːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Serve it up on a platter (similar concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a Gopher popping its head out of a hole in the ground. A 'gopher ball' is a pitch that 'pops' out of the ballpark for a home run.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PITCH IS FOOD (served up for easy consumption). A PITCH IS A PREY ANIMAL (easy to hit, like a gopher).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the term 'gopher ball' be correctly used?