MLB英語マスターガイド：実況・解説で差がつく！野球スラング100選

Alex: Did you catch the game last night? That was wild!
Ben: Yeah, I did! I can’t believe Ohtani hit that moon shot in the ninth. That was a total tape-measure blast.
Alex: Seriously! The pitcher totally hung a hanging pitch right over the plate—Ohtani just crushed that cookie.
Ben: He’s got such great extension in his swing. When he connects, it’s always a frozen rope or a dinger.
Alex: For sure. And did you see how the starter was painting the black early on? His plate discipline was impressive, too—he didn’t chase those high and inside pitches.
Ben: Yeah, but once the bullpen came in, it turned into a slugfest. The team exploded for six runs in the eighth!
Alex: No kidding. That game had everything—pitchers’ duel at first, then a total offensive outburst.

Announcer 1: It’s a beautiful day for baseball here at the ballpark. The pitcher is really throwing some heat in the top of the first.
Announcer 2: Absolutely. He’s got the batters eating out of his hand so far—great plate discipline from the leadoff hitter, though. He’s not chasing those high and inside pitches.
Announcer 1: That’s right. The last pitch was low and away, and the batter showed great patience. Here comes the payoff pitch.
Announcer 2: Swing and a miss! Good cut, but he was suckered by a nasty slider. That’s the first out.
Announcer 1: Now the cleanup hitter steps in. He’s in a slump lately, but if he gets a cookie here, he could turn things around.
Announcer 2: The pitcher paints the black with a fastball—just on the edge. This is shaping up to be a real pitchers’ duel.
Announcer 1: No doubt. But you never know—one hanging pitch, and this game could turn into a slugfest.
Announcer 2: The team has exploded for six runs here in the eighth. What a turnaround!

Beginner’s Guide: What to Watch for in MLB Games

1. Learn the Basic Rules
Baseball is played between two teams of nine players. The team with more runs after nine innings wins. Understand the basics—three outs per inning, four balls for a walk, three strikes for a strikeout—to follow the action.

2. Watch the Pitcher and the Batter

• Pay attention to the pitcher’s style: Is he throwing fastballs, sliders, or curveballs?
• Notice the batter’s approach: Does he have good plate discipline? Is he swinging at bad pitches or waiting for a good one?
• Listen for terms like “painting the black” or “throwing some heat.”

3. Understand the Count and Its Importance
The count (balls and strikes) changes the strategy for both pitcher and batter. For example, a 3-2 count is a tense moment—watch for the “payoff pitch.”

4. Key Plays to Watch

• Double plays: When the defense gets two outs in one play.
• Home runs: Announcers may say “moon shot” or “tape-measure blast” for big home runs.
• Defensive gems: Diving catches, strong throws, and quick reactions are highlights.

5. Follow the Scoreboard and Stats

• Runs, hits, and errors are displayed on the scoreboard.
• Common stats:
  • RBI: Runs Batted In
  • ERA: Earned Run Average for pitchers
  • AVG: Batting average for hitters

6. Listen to the Commentary
Announcers use many baseball expressions. For example:

• “He’s in a slump”
• “He’s pitching a gem”
• “It’s a slugfest”
  Try to catch these phrases and connect them to what’s happening on the field.

7. Enjoy the Game Atmosphere

• The pace of baseball is slower than other sports, so enjoy the tension and strategy.
• Watch how teams react after big plays, and listen to the crowd’s excitement.

8. Tips for Watching More Deeply

• Focus on one team and follow their games to learn player names and strategies.
• Try keeping score or using a scorecard to track the game’s progress.
• If possible, attend a live game or listen to radio commentary for a different perspective.

Useful Expressions to Listen for:

• Plate discipline
• High and inside
• Low and away
• Paint the black
• Hanging pitch
• Slugfest
• Pitchers’ duel

Watching MLB becomes much more enjoyable as you learn to notice these details and understand the language of the game!