The term "sacrifice hit" is commonly used in baseball to describe a hit that results in an out, but allows a runner to advance to a scoring position. The phonetic transcription of this word in IPA is /ˈsæk.rə.faɪs hɪt/. The spelling of "sacrifice" derives from the Latin word "sacrificium", meaning to offer a sacrifice. The word "hit", on the other hand, is derived from the Old English word "hittan", meaning to strike or hit. Together, these words indicate an intentional act of hitting the ball to advance the runner, even at the cost of the batter being out.
A sacrifice hit, also known as a sacrifice bunt, is a term used in the sport of baseball to describe a strategic play where a batter intentionally hits a ball softly with the intention of advancing a baserunner to the next base. This play is executed by bunting or tapping the ball with the intention of allowing a teammate to advance to the next base while the batter is most likely to be thrown out.
In a sacrifice hit, the batter willingly gives up his opportunity to reach base safely in order to prioritize the advancement of the runner. This sacrifice is intended to advance the runner into scoring position or to move a runner from second base to third base in order to increase the chances of scoring a run. Sacrifice hits are typically employed in situations where a team needs to manufacture a run, often in later innings with a close score, when scoring opportunities are limited.
A sacrifice hit is a fundamental play in baseball that requires precision, timing, and skill. It relies on the batter's ability to accurately place the bunted ball in an optimal location, typically towards the direction of the first or third base line. The success of a sacrifice hit relies on the batter's ability to surprise the defense by executing the play effectively.
Overall, a sacrifice hit is a selfless act by the batter aimed at advancing teammates and contributing to the overall success of the team, even at the cost of their individual statistical record.
The term "sacrifice hit" comes from the sport of baseball. It is a combination of two words: "sacrifice" and "hit".
The word "sacrifice" originated from the Latin word "sacrificium", which can be broken down into "sacer" meaning "sacred" or "holy", and "facere" meaning "to make" or "to do". In ancient Roman and religious contexts, it referred to the act of offering something valuable or important to a deity or the divine.
In the game of baseball, a "sacrifice hit" (also called a "sacrifice bunt") is a strategic play where the batter deliberately bunts the ball, giving up his chance to hit a base hit, in order to advance a base runner already on base.