How Not to Strike Out During the World Series

"The pitcher is throwing aspirins!" To the baseball novice that may sound like an odd thing to say, but according to Major League Baseball infielder Greg Pryor, saying that during the next big game can make you sound like a pro. Pryor knows what he's talking about when it comes to baseball. He played in the majors for ten seasons and was a member of the World Series-winning Kansas City Royals in 1985. Now he's working in two businesses: Sports-Aholic, Inc. and LifePriority.com. But he doesn't mind helping even casual fans learn the basics of baseball.

Enjoy America's Favorite Pastime

Pryor knows baseball can be a big commitment for fans. Even though this former pro says it's the best game ever invented, he says it can be tough to be a die-hard fan. "It is very difficult to be a real baseball fan since there are so many games each week and the season is 6 months long," he says. "I love it when anyone gets interested in baseball... even for a short period of time."

He says a key to enjoying the game from home is knowing that the ball is going much faster than it appears to on TV. "Baseball is the only major sport where the defense controls the action and there is no time clock," he adds. "The most exciting time of the game might happen in an instant so watching intently will help the viewer not miss it!" He also advises fans to listen to the announcers since they will try to explain the game to the viewer.

A Glossary of Phrases

If you're a casual baseball fan who wants to impress the socks off your significant other, co-workers or complete strangers at the sports bar during the World Series, this list is for you. Consider it your playbook of important baseball catch phrases. And you can count on it because it was created by a former Major League player, Greg Pryor.

"The Batter Is Ahead in the Count."

This is a term that signifies whether the batter or pitcher possesses the advantage in an at-bat. If a pitcher has thrown more strikes than balls to a batter in an at-bat, the pitcher is ahead in the count. On the other hand if the pitcher has thrown more balls than strikes, the batter is ahead. Why does this matter? Well, if the pitcher is ahead in the count, the batter is at risk of striking out. If the batter is ahead, the pitcher could be in danger of walking him.

"The Manager Is Asking for an Appeal on that Play."

You could say this following a play in which a manager has a shot at gaining a favorable ruling from an umpire by calling attention to a mistake by the offense or getting input from another umpire.

"The Pitcher Is Throwing Aspirins" or "The Ball Must Look like an Aspirin to the Hitter."

This is slang for a fastball that is especially hard to hit. To batters who are in a slump, a pitched ball can look much smaller than it really is.

"That Was a Great At-Bat"

This is safe to say when a batter hits safely after a couple of foul balls.

"That Grounder Almost Ate Him Up" or "That Grounder Ate Him Up."

Say the first phrase when a better hits a very hard ball to handle and the fielder does catch it. Use the second phrase when the fielder doesn't catch it.

"The Pitcher Is Attacking the Strike Zone."

You can say this when a pitcher is aggressively throwing strikes.

"That Ball took a Bad Hop."

When a ball bounces in front of an infielder in an unpredictable way this would be a good thing to say.

"What a Bang Bang Play!"

A bang bang play is one in which the runner is barely thrown out. It's a very close call and typically happens at first base.

"That's a Base Knock."

This is another way to describe a single, where the batter makes it safely to first base.

"The Bases Are Loaded".

If runners are on first, second and third base you can call them "loaded."

"We Need a Big Inning"

A "big inning" is an inning in which the offense scores a large number of runs, usually four or more.

"He Blistered that Ball."

A ball can be called blistered when it's hit so hard that it seems to generate its own heat.

"He Hit a Blooper"

You can also call it a "duck fart"—guys will love it if gals say duck fart at the right time)

Ladies, you can really impress a crowd by calling out a Duck Fart— it's a weakly hit fly ball that drops in between an infielder and outfielder, allowing the runner to make it to first.

"Well, It's a Brand New Ballgame."

When a team that has been behind in runs ties up the game, it's sometimes said to be a brand new ballgame.

"He Has Been in the Bigs for many Years."

If you're in the bigs you're a big leaguer, a major leaguer.

"I Love the Fall Classic."

Fall Classic is another name for the World Series.

"He Found a Hole."

If a batter gets to a base by hitting the ball on the ground between infielders.

"He Hit a Lazy Fly Ball"

This is a ball that's easy for an outfielder to catch.

"He Gone."

Slang for a home-run over the fence, coined by Chicago White Sox TV announcer Ken Harrelson.