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Throughout this book, I will use terms and ideas that are common to baseball fans. For those of you who are less familiar with the structure of baseball and its stadiums, here is a glossary of terms.
Berm. A grassy hill, usually in the outfield, where people can sit or lie down to watch a baseball game. Bleachers. A set of metallic seats, usually without armrests or backs. The bleacher sections are traditionally farther away from home plate than the rest of the seats in the stadium. Box Seats. The best seats in the stadium, traditionally right behind home plate. Cactus League. The Major League Baseball teams that do their Spring Training in Arizona. Grandstand. A set of permanent seats with armrests and chair backs. These are usually the seats closest to the center of the stadium. Grapefruit League. The Major League Baseball teams that do their Spring Training in Florida. Home Team. The host stadium’s team. Keeping Score. Traditionally, baseball fans kept track of all the action in a type of shorthand. Today you see fewer and fewer people keeping score that way because every stadium has a scoreboard for easy reference. However, most programs include a page or two for traditional scorekeeping. Read the directions in the program if you don’t know how but would like to give it a try. Main Concourse. This is where you will find most of the stadium’s concessions, souvenirs, and information. You’re usually in or adjacent to the main concourse when you enter the stadium. Main Seating Aisle. Most stadiums are designed with seats above and below this aisle. It’s where you’re going to head to find the section with your seat. Non-Roster Invitee. Teams are allowed to start Spring Training with 40 people on their rosters. These are usually people who are guaranteed a contract or a spot on the Major League Baseball team. However, the teams aren’t limited to playing with their roster personnel. They may invite as many players as they want to Spring Training. These “non-roster” players are often rookies or minor league players hoping to latch on with a team by proving their worth in training. Most, as Mike Stanley relates in his Foreword (above), don’t last long. On-Deck Circle. The player who is due to bat next is said to be in the on-deck circle. Roster. A baseball team’s forty players. A listing of the team’s players. Split Squad. A team composed of regular players and other, usually non-roster invitees. During the short Spring Training season, clubs will use split squads so they can play two games on the same day. This allows the club a chance to look over more aspiring players, but it works against the fans since there will be fewer stars on a split squad. To address this problem, Major League Baseball has decreed that all Spring Training games must feature a minimum of four regular players and a starting pitcher in their opening lineup. Sticker Contests. At most stadiums, you have a chance to win something if you buy the program. The teams place some sort of sticker on a particular page in a number of programs. If you find one of the stickers, you win. Visitors. The visiting team, or players on that team. Didn't find what you were looking for? Try a Google search.
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