• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

BASEBALL~X~GEAR

Your Source For Everything Baseball!

  • Home
  • About Jeremy
    • Ask Jeremy
  • Info & Resources
    • Baseball Stats Abbreviations
    • Baseball Terminology, Phrases & Sayings
    • How Many MLB Teams Are There?
  • Rules & Plays
    • The Infield Fly Rule Explained
    • What Is An Unassisted Triple Play?
    • What Is A Force Out In Baseball?
    • What Is A Triple Play In Baseball?
  • Learn
    • Different Ways to Bunt a Baseball
    • Drills for Hitting a Baseball
    • How to Help a Kid Throw Faster in Baseball
    • How To Hold A Baseball Bat
    • How To Pitch A Baseball
    • Tips and Tricks to Steal Bases Better
    • Understanding Catcher Signals in Baseball
  • Youth Baseball
    • Comparing Youth Baseball Leagues
    • How to Choose a Youth Baseball League
    • Picking The Right Travel Baseball Team
    • Travel Ball vs. Rec Ball
    • Travel Baseball: A Guide For Parents & Players
    • Youth Fall Baseball (Second Season)
  • Gear & Equipment
    • What Is The Best Pitching Machine For The Money
    • How To Buy A Baseball Glove For Kids

Baseball Terminology: One Word or Two? 

Baseball is tricky. The English language is even trickier. So when it comes to baseball terminology like ball game, game day, and ball park, do we write them as one word or two? What is the standard? Let’s find out. 

Baseball Terminology: One Word or Two?

Ballgame or Ball Game?

Everyone knows the popular song Take Me Out To The Ball Game written by Jack Norworth in 1908. And right here in the song we sing in the seventh inning stretch, the two word format “ball game” is used throughout the song. So is it always two words? Not necessarily.   

According to the AP Stylebook, ballgame should be written as one word. Merriam-Webster on the other hand, uses the two-word format, as does Macmillan dictionary. The Cambridge dictionary uses the one-word version. When you type it out in Word or Google docs, the one-word version is not flagged as a misspelling. Either form is acceptable, but if you want to be definitive and consistent, go with the AP style and stick with the one word format. 

Ball Park or Ballpark?

This one is pretty clear. Across the board, print and online dictionaries use the one-word form of ballpark. The AP Stylebook agrees. The Society for American Baseball Research also uses ballpark as a one word term. 

Ball Club or Ballclub?

According to the AP Stylebook, you should use the one-word form of ballclub. Like ballgame though, the dictionary authorities like Merriam-Webster use the two-word form. Some people have a preference for one over the other, but there is no solid definitive right or wrong form for this term. 

Ball Player or Ballplayer?

Again, the AP Stylebook advises writers to use the one-word format for this term. Like ballpark, most authoritative dictionaries also use the one-word form of ballplayer. The only site that used the two-word form of ballplayer used it when referring to athletes in other sports. All baseball-related sources used the one-word form, including the Society for American Baseball Research.    

Game Day or Gameday?

This is an interesting one. Merriam-Webster doesn’t even have a definition for this one when you search for the term. Neither does the Cambridge dictionary. Oxford uses the two-word format. According to the AP Stylebook, you should use the two word form – unless you are using it as part of a name or a title. In that case, use “gameday”.  

Strike Out or Strikeout?

Merriam-Webster, Britannica, Society for American Baseball Research and other major baseball sources use the one-word form of strikeout for all things baseball related. The two word form, “strike out,” is used in any context that is NOT related to baseball. However, there are different times to use the different forms. For example, it is acceptable to use the two word form in the following sentence, “The pitcher was the first to strike out every batter in the game.” Other variations, like struck out and striking out, are always two words. The plural form of strikeout is always one word: strikeouts. 

We hope this helps clear up some of your baseball terminology questions. Remember, some of these are not clearly one or the other, but when in doubt, follow the authority. The AP Stylebook is a good resource for find popular use of questionable or tricky words. 

Thanks for stopping by ~Jeremy

Primary Sidebar

Search Baseball~X~Gear

Cold Weather Baseball Gear

Is The Pocket Radar Ball Coach Accurate? – Stalker Jugs Comparison

Why Are Sports Drinks Better Than Water?

  • Cold Weather Baseball Gear
  • Is The Pocket Radar Ball Coach Accurate? – Stalker Jugs Comparison
  • A Double In Baseball Explained: What Is A Double?
  • What Is A Force Out In Baseball?
  • Baseball Costume Ideas
  • What Is A Triple Play In Baseball?
  • What Is A Foul Ball? – How to Determine a Foul Ball
  • What Is A Baseball Made Of
  • How Many MLB Teams Are There? – A Complete List
  • Catcher’s Gear Buying Guide
  • Baseball Stats Abbreviations – What Do They Mean?
  • TOP 5 PITCHES IN BASEBALL
  • Best Tee Ball Bats – 2024
  • Best Youth Baseball Gloves
  • Best USSSA Baseball Bats
  • Best Youth Baseball Bats
  • Bushnell Velocity Radar Gun

Footer

Baseball X Logo Square

About Me
Ask Jeremy
Contact Me
Terms of Use
Disclosure
Privacy Policy

Baseball Information & Resources
Baseball Rules & Plays
Learn to Play Baseball
Youth Baseball
Baseball Gear & Equipment

BaseballxGear.com · About · Contact Me · Terms of Use · Disclosure · Privacy Policy · Copyright © 2024