third baseman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Mid-frequency in sports contexts, low-frequency in general usageInformal to neutral, primarily used in sports commentary, journalism, and casual conversation about baseball
Quick answer
What does “third baseman” mean?
In baseball, the defensive player positioned at third base, responsible for fielding balls hit near that base.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In baseball, the defensive player positioned at third base, responsible for fielding balls hit near that base.
Metaphorically, a reliable, strategic defender in any high-pressure position requiring quick reactions and strong throwing ability.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is almost exclusively used in American English and other regions where baseball is popular. In the UK, where baseball is not a major sport, the term is largely unknown or recognized only as an Americanism.
Connotations
In the US: Associated with athleticism, quick reflexes, and a strong throwing arm. In the UK: Primarily carries connotations of American culture and sports.
Frequency
Very high frequency in US sports media; extremely low to zero frequency in general UK English.
Grammar
How to Use “third baseman” in a Sentence
[Team/Manager] named [Player] (as) (their) third baseman.[Player] plays third baseman for [Team].[Player] is the third baseman.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “third baseman” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not applicable as verb in UK usage)
American English
- (Rare as verb) He was asked to third-base for the injured starter.
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable as adverb)
American English
- (Not applicable as adverb)
adjective
British English
- (Not applicable as adjective in UK usage)
American English
- (As attributive noun) He made a fantastic third-baseman play on the bunt.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Potential metaphorical use: 'She's the project's third baseman, handling all the high-pressure client issues.'
Academic
Only in sports history, kinesiology, or sociology of sport contexts.
Everyday
Used primarily in conversations about baseball, sports news, or video games.
Technical
Used in baseball statistics, coaching manuals, and rulebooks with precise definitions of fielding responsibilities.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “third baseman”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “third baseman”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “third baseman”
- Using 'third baseman' to refer to the base itself (the base is 'third base').
- Incorrect plural: 'third basemans' (correct: 'third basemen').
- Misspelling as 'third basement'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, cricket has different fielding positions. The closest analogue might be a 'slips' fielder or 'gully' fielder, but the roles and skills are not equivalent.
In women's baseball or softball, the term is still 'third baseman'. Some contexts may use 'third base player' or 'third basewoman', but 'third baseman' is standard.
It is called the 'hot corner' because right-handed batters often hit hard line drives and sharp ground balls directly toward third base, requiring the fielder to react very quickly.
Both are infielders. The third baseman covers the area near third base. The shortstop covers the area between second and third base. They require similar skills but have different angles and responsibilities.
In baseball, the defensive player positioned at third base, responsible for fielding balls hit near that base.
Third baseman is usually informal to neutral, primarily used in sports commentary, journalism, and casual conversation about baseball in register.
Third baseman: in British English it is pronounced /ˌθɜːd ˈbeɪs.mən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌθɝːd ˈbeɪs.mən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The hot corner (a nickname for the third base position due to hard-hit balls)”
- “Have a cannon for an arm (often describes a third baseman's strong throw)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'THIRD' base + 'MAN' (player). The player is the 'man' responsible for the 'third' base. Remember the sequence: first base, second base, THIRD base.
Conceptual Metaphor
POSITION IS A ROLE (e.g., 'He *holds down* third base'), DEFENSE IS A GUARD/WALL.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary responsibility of a third baseman?