Throw some dogs on the grill — baseball’s back! The Sox and Cubs have yet to start their seasons, but across the Pacific the Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics logged the first two official games of the year Tuesday and Wednesday in Tokyo.
And that means it’s time to brush up on your baseball lingo, because, let’s face it: Some of the things said during a baseball game would take on whole new meanings when used in the context of, say, the world of politics or the world of celebrity gossip.
It’s important to make the distinction. After all, it’s OK to talk about a “high, hard one” at the ballpark, but not so much at a dinner party when ex-New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s name comes up.
So we’ve provided a few baseball buzzwords — and how they might be interpreted if not used in a baseball setting.
Choking up
In baseball: When a batter moves his hand position up the bat handle (away from the knob at the bottom) to make the bat lighter, and therefore easier to swing.
Away from baseball: The moment after someone is eliminated from “American Idol” when Paula Abdul (above) and the contestants burst into sobs like they just found out that the Tooth Fairy isn’t real.
Hit and run
In baseball: A strategy on offense in which the baserunner is set in motion before the pitch and the batter is told to put the pitch in play to increase the odds that the baserunner will advance safely or stay out of a double play.
Away from baseball: A driving mishap most likely involving Billy Joel or a member of the Lohan family.
Squeeze play
In baseball: Similar to the hit and run — again, the baserunner runs to the next base before the pitch is thrown, only this time the batter is told to bunt the pitch, almost guaranteeing that he will put the ball in play and safely advance the runner.
Away from baseball: The window of opportunity on the red carpet that an announcer has to cop a feel of their favorite star.
6-4-3
In baseball: A double play that begins with the shortstop fielding the ball and throwing it to the second baseman, who then throws it to the first baseman. (The numbers correspond to the positions on the field.)
Away from baseball: The approximate combined age of Larry King and Joan Rivers.
Splitter
In baseball: A pitch thrown with the index and middle finger spread apart on opposite sides of the ball to give it a sinking action.
Away from baseball: A person who seems to relish in striking up high-profile romances only to break them off in a very public way. Think John Mayer (right).
Double steal
In baseball: When two runners are on base and both are told to steal.
Away from baseball: 1. Being able to sell pictures of your babies to a magazine for boatloads of money just because you’re famous. See: Angelina Jolie, Larry Birkhead, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez (right). 2. Encountering Winona Ryder and Bai Ling in the same place.
Yakker
In baseball: Slang for “curveball.”
Away from baseball: Descriptor for any of the co-hosts on “The View.”
Chin music
In baseball: A fastball thrown high and hard near the batter’s head, typically an intimidation tactic.
Away from baseball: The sound most women hear when they come across a picture of Jake Gyllenhaal wearing a beard. (In the tune of the “Hallelujah” chorus.)
Corners in
In baseball: A defensive ploy in which the first and third basemen position themselves closer to home plate to prevent the opposition from scoring a runner from third on a ground ball.
Away from baseball: A plastic surgery combo platter offered in Beverly Hills.
