Groundout

Definition

A groundout occurs when a batter hits a ball on the ground to a fielder, who records an out by throwing to or stepping on first base. It can also occur when the batter reaches first base -- and the defense instead opts to record an out elsewhere via a "fielder's choice."

Groundouts typically occur on pitches that are lower in the strike zone. They also occur most frequently on pitches with sharp downward movement -- such as sinkers or sliders -- because the batter doesn't have much time to adjust his swing for the baseball's sudden drop.

Many pitchers aim to induce ground balls -- as opposed to fly balls -- because ground balls rarely result in extra-base hits.

In A Call

"ground-ball out," "chopper," "bouncer"