hit batsman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium (common in sports contexts, rare in general English)Technical/Sports jargon
Quick answer
What does “hit batsman” mean?
In baseball or softball, a batter who is struck by a pitched ball.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In baseball or softball, a batter who is struck by a pitched ball.
Can also refer to the baseball rule awarding the batter first base after being hit by a pitch, or used in sports commentary to discuss the event. More broadly, may refer to the play or incident itself.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Not a natural British English term. 'Hit batsman' is an American term from baseball. In British sports (e.g., cricket), a batter hit by the ball is not described with this term; they may be said to be 'struck' or just 'hit', and the equivalent concept is 'leg before wicket' (LBW).
Connotations
In American usage, purely descriptive of the play; no inherent negative connotation. Using it in British contexts would sound foreign and contextually incorrect.
Frequency
Very high frequency in American baseball commentary and reporting. Zero frequency in standard UK English outside baseball coverage.
Grammar
How to Use “hit batsman” in a Sentence
The [pitcher] hit the [batsman] with a [fastball]The [batsman] was hitThe [umpire] called a [hit batsman]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hit batsman” in a Sentence
verb
American English
- The pitcher accidentally hit the batsman in the shoulder.
adjective
American English
- The hit-batsman rule was applied correctly.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Potentially in sports science or sociology of sport papers.
Everyday
Only in conversations about baseball/softball.
Technical
Core term in baseball rulebooks, statistics (HBP), and commentary.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hit batsman”
- Using it as a verb phrase ('The pitcher will hit batsman'). It is a noun phrase.
- Confusing 'hit batsman' (the player) with 'hit by pitch' (the event/statistic).
- Using in non-baseball contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They refer to the same event. 'Hit batsman' is the term for the player, while 'hit by pitch' (HBP) is the official statistic and description of the event.
No. If the batter swings and is hit, it is usually ruled a strike, not a hit batsman. The batter must generally be attempting to avoid the pitch.
There is no direct equivalent. A batter hit by the ball is simply 'hit'. The strategic/rule consequence is different (e.g., potential LBW decision, not an automatic award of runs).
In modern usage, especially in softball and co-ed contexts, 'hit batter' is more common and gender-neutral. However, 'hit batsman' remains standard in traditional baseball commentary and writing.
In baseball or softball, a batter who is struck by a pitched ball.
Hit batsman is usually technical/sports jargon in register.
Hit batsman: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɪt ˈbætsmən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɪt ˈbætsmən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Take one for the team (related concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a baseball BAT hitting a MAN (batsman) who has just been HIT by the ball – a confusing but memorable image linking the words.
Conceptual Metaphor
OBSTRUCTION AS CONTACT (The path to the plate is obstructed by physical contact with the ball).
Practice
Quiz
In which sport is the term 'hit batsman' exclusively used?