In each of the past five years, I’ve used my Dickson
Baseball Encyclopedia to write an annual blog
Accept the Offering – to swing at the pitch. The job of the Hebrew
temple priest.
Angel – a small white cloud that comes to the aid of a
fielder by blocking the sun and therefore making it easier for him to catch a
high fly ball. Would a large
white cloud be known as an Archangel?
Ascension (balloon ascension) – an occurrence in which a
pitcher suddenly loses his control. The term was commonly framed in terms of
spectators witnessing a balloon ascending. See also “Up in the Air”. Had Jesus been a pitcher, it’s doubtful he
would have had ascension problems.
Bag of Bones – extremely thing player. Or what Ezekiel
called his famous vision.
Batting Out of Order – the act of a player who appears at
the plate out of the proper place in the batting order. During a recent trip to
Dublin, I viewed an old version of the four gospels called the Book of Kells in
which the four authors, Matthew, John, Luke, and Mark, were batting out of
order.
Bean Ball – a pitch thrown intentionally at a batter’s head
for the purpose of either moving him away from the plate or to punish him, his
team, or another player for something he has done. The first recorded bean ball
took place in the fight between David and Goliath.
Beat the Bushes – to look for baseball talent in the minor
(or bush) leagues. See Moses trying to put out a fire.
Bible Hitter – A hitter who swings at the first pitch “That
feller is a dead first-ball hitter: Thou shall not pass”. With the rising
strikeout rates in today’s game, there are more and more Bible hitters.
Body Armor – padded protective equipment worn by batters. Or
what David shunned before battling Goliath.
Cardinal Sin – Gambling on baseball or issuing a walk to the
pitcher. These transgressions can only be atoned for by sacrificing a bird from
St. Louis.
Cross – to outguess an opposing team or player. What Christ did
to the forces of hell at Golgotha.
Dying Quail – a pop fly that drops suddenly and
unexpectedly, like a bird that has been shot on the wing. Or what the
Israelites ate in the desert.
Early Man – A player who takes batting practice before the
players who are in the starting lineup that day. Though not stated in Genesis, Adam
was an early riser, eager to get started on his daily tasks of naming animals
and tending his garden.
Fall off the Table – A curve ball with such a dramatic break
that it appears to appears to “fall off of a table”. Or what the dogs waited for food to do
in the parable of the Canaanite Women.
Fatted Calf – a player who is not in good physical condition.
This is also what teams ate while celebrating their Jerusalem 40 and over
rec-league softball championships.
Give Oneself Up -- To hit the ball behind a teammate on base
in an effort to bring him home or advance him to scoring position. This is
obvious proof that baseball is divinely inspired. In no other sport are
participants rewarded for modeling Christ’s love by placing others (the team)
above self (the individual).
Green Cathedral – A baseball park, field, or stadium. The
new Jerusalem as described in Revelation is purported to have a Green Cathedral
in every neighborhood.
Muscular Christianity – The religious belief, primarily in
the 1850s and 1860s that baseball could overcome a negative attitude toward
recreational sports. Religious leaders invoked the vigorous physical activity
of baseball as a source of moral instruction. Further proof that baseball is
divinely inspired. Also there is no such thing as muscular soccer.
Rainmaker – A towering homerun, one that seems capable of
rupturing a cloud and bringing rain. What Noah christened the ark two days
before the downpour.
Sacrifice – a battled ball that advances a base runner at
the expense of the batter being put out. The Old Testament’s method of atoning
for sins. Usually a lamb, bull, sheep or bird. Jesus led the Nazareth Little
League in sacrifice bunts each year.
Sacrifice Fly – A fly out or pop-up that is hit deep enough
to advance a runner. Or when a bird purchased for sacrifice escapes before
reaching the altar.
Sacrifice Hit – A bunt that moves a runner to the next base.
Or how the priest would first render the sacrificial animal unconscious.
Usually with a club or heavy stick.
Sacrifice Hitter – A hitter who makes a sacrifice bunt or
fly. In the Old Testament, a sacrifice hitter was the temple priest. In the New Testament, it was
the Roman soldiers.
Sacrifice Play – synonym of sacrifice hit. Or what the lambs
and baby goats did in the fields before being taken to the temple for sacrifice.
“Say it ain’t so, Joe!” – The oft-heard lament in reference
to Shoeless Joe Jackson that came to represent the 1919 Black Sox scandal in
which the World Series was “fixed” to accommodate gamblers. Or what Joseph’s
friends and family cried when they learned Mary was with child.
Take the Apple – Synonym of “feel the apple”. To choke under
pressure. The term is in reference to one’s Adam’s apple. Also what Eve did for
the first Cardinal Sin in the original Green Cathedral.
I can’t wait to go to a game when I get home. As they say in
Mozambique, “Leva-me ao jogo de bola” (take me out to the ball game).
