"Ground out" is a baseball term that refers to a batter hitting a ball that results in an out. The word "ground" is traditionally pronounced with the vowel sound /aʊ/ (as in "found"). However, in the phrase "ground out," the vowel sound changes to /aʊə/ (as in "founder"). This is because of the added "-out" suffix, which follows the pattern of creating a secondary stress and a change in vowel sound. Therefore, "ground out" is pronounced as /ɡraʊnd aʊt/.
Ground out is a term primarily used in baseball, referring to a specific play that occurs when a batter hits a ball and is then put out by the defensive team. As a verb phrase, it describes the action of making an out by means of such a play. This term derives its name from the fact that the ball is typically hit to the ground, resulting in an infielder fielding the ball and throwing it to a teammate at first base to record the out.
The ground out usually happens when the batter hits the ball with a downward angle, causing it to strike the ground before it is fielded. This typically occurs when the batter hits a ground ball to an infielder, who then throws the ball to first base before the batter can reach it, resulting in an out. Ground outs can also occur if the batter hits the ball directly to a fielder who quickly throws it to first base or if the ball is hit to an outfielder who catches it on an initial bounce before throwing it to first base for the out.
The ground out is a common occurrence in baseball and is typically included in statistical analysis, allowing for evaluation of a batter's success rate and effectiveness in generating productive hits.
The word "ground out" is derived from two separate words: "ground" and "out".
The word "ground" has its origins in Old English, where it was spelled as "grund". It referred to the solid surface of the earth or land. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of the word evolved, and it came to represent various meanings, including soil, territory, foundation, or surface. In the context of "ground out", it is used metaphorically to mean "to bring or force to a halt".
The word "out" has its roots in Old English as well, where it was spelled as "ūt". It denotes the opposite of "in" and refers to moving away from or leaving a particular place or situation. When used in sports, "out" typically means a dismissal or the termination of a player's turn at bat in baseball or softball.