DictionaryplunkHitting a batter
verb

plunk

To hit a batter with a pitched ball.

The pitcher accidentally plunks the batter with an inside fastball.

Etymology

The impact word plunk became a baseball verb for hitting the batter with a pitch. The name emphasizes the ball's abrupt contact.

More examples

  • She was plunked on the shoulder and took first base.
  • The umpire warned both teams after a reliever plunked two batters.
  • He lost control of a curveball, plunking the leadoff hitter.

Forms

plunk · plunks · plunked · plunking

Similar words

hit
Describes contact generally, not specifically a pitch striking a batter.
bean
More specifically suggests hitting a batter in the head.