backstop

ballclub

ballpark

ballplayer

bullpen

doubleheader

double play

fair ball

fastball

foul ball

foul ball line

foul tip

ground-rule double

hit and run (v.)

hit-and-run (n. & adj.)

home plate

home run

left-hander

line drive

lineup (n.)

line up (v.)

outfielder

passed ball

pinch hit (v.)

pinch-hit (n.)

pinch hitter

pitchout

playoffs

put out (v.)

putout (n.)

RBI (s.), RBIs (pl.)

sacrifice fly

sacrifice hit

shut out (v.)

shutout (n.)

slugger

squeeze play

strike

strike zone

triple play

wild pitch

basketball:

backboard

backcourt

baseline

field goal

foul line

foul shot

free throw

free-throw line

frontcourt

full-court press

goaltending

half-court pass

halftime

jump ball

jump shot

layup

man-to-man

midcourt

playoffs

zone

football:

backfield

ball carrier

ballclub

blitz

end zone

fair catch

field goal

fourth-and-one

fullback

goal line

goal-line stand

halfback

halftime

handoff

kick off (v.)

kickoff (adj.)

linebacker

lineman

line of scrimmage

out of bounds (adv.)

out-of-bounds (adj.)

pitchout

place kick

place-kicker

playoffs

quarterback

running back

tight end

touchback

touchdown

wide receiver

Miscellaneous:

abbreviations- It isn’t necessary to spell out common abbreviations on the first reference. Examples: NBA, NFL, NASCAR

All-America, All-American- Use All-America only when referring to a team. Use All-American when referring to a player.

AstroTurf

athletic director

bettor- not better, someone who bets

bicycle

bowl games- Capitalize the specific names. Examples: Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl

coach- only capitalize as part of formal title. Example: Coach Conque

cross country- no hypen

ERA- acceptable in all references to baseball’s earned run average

game plan

goalkeeper- goalie is acceptable, goaltender is not

golf- birdie (one stroke under par), bogey (one stroke over par), eagle (two strokes under par)

midfielder

motor sports- two words

National Collegiate Athletic Association- NCAA fine in all references

offseason- no hyphen

Olympics- always capitalize

pingpong- no space

postseason- no hyphen

preseason- no hyphen

racket- not racquet

runner-up, runners-up

sports editor- capitalize only as formal title

stadium- capitalize only when part of a name. Example: Yankee Stadium

Super Bowl

track and field

volleyball

World Series