infield hit
C1Sports, Informal/Figurative
Definition
Meaning
In baseball, a batted ball that is fielded within the infield area but is not fielded cleanly or in time to throw the batter-runner out at first base.
An accomplishment achieved not through skill or power, but through luck, hustle, or an opponent's error; metaphorically, any minor, opportunistic success.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is primarily technical within baseball but is used figuratively in broader contexts, often with a sense of modesty or mild self-deprecation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is exclusively American in origin and context. It is not used in British sports contexts (e.g., cricket) and its figurative use is rare in British English.
Connotations
In American English, it carries connotations of hustle and opportunism within the specific rules of baseball. The figurative use implies a scrappy or lucky success.
Frequency
High frequency in American baseball commentary and writing; low to negligible frequency in British English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Player] beat out/legs out an infield hit.A slow roller resulted in an infield hit.He scored on an infield hit.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He didn't hit it hard, but he legged out an infield hit.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Figuratively: 'Our startup's first profit was more of an infield hit than a home run, but it gave us momentum.'
Academic
Rare. Might appear in sports sociology or linguistics papers discussing baseball terminology.
Everyday
Figurative use in AmE: 'I aced the test? Hardly. It was an infield hit—I guessed on most questions.'
Technical
Baseball: 'The official scorer ruled it an infield hit, charging no error to the third baseman.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- He infield-hit his way on base.
- The speedy rookie infield hits more often than he walks.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- His infield-hit percentage is remarkably high for a power hitter.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The player ran very fast and got an infield hit.
- He beat out an infield hit to the shortstop, allowing the runner on third to score.
- While the cleanup hitters were struggling, they manufactured a run with a walk, a stolen base, and a scrappy infield hit.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: IN the FIELD, a HIT that doesn't leave the INFIELD. Success inside a small area.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUCCESS IS A BASEBALL HIT; A MINOR/OPPORTUNISTIC SUCCESS IS AN INFIELD HIT.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as *'полевой удар'* (sounds like a military term).
- In baseball context, use *'сингл на внутреннем поле'* or *'хит во внутреннем поле'*.
- Figuratively, convey the idea of скромный успех, достигнутый настойчивостью или удачей.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'infield hit' to describe a powerful hit that stays in the infield (it implies a weak hit).
- Confusing it with a 'fielder's choice' (where an out is recorded on another runner).
- Using the term in non-baseball contexts without explanation for an international audience.
Practice
Quiz
In a figurative sense, calling a business deal 'an infield hit' most likely means it was:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, an infield hit is officially scored as a single (a one-base hit). The term specifies that the ball did not leave the infield area.
No, by definition, an infield hit is a single. If the batter reaches second or third base on a ball that stays in the infield, it's due to a fielding error or an extremely rare series of overthrows, and would not be scored as an infield hit.
Virtually never, except when discussing American baseball. It has no equivalent in cricket or other British sports.
It describes a small, often lucky or effort-based win, as opposed to a major accomplishment (a 'home run'). It acknowledges success while downplaying its scale or impressiveness.