What is "small ball"

n. (context slang English) A baseball strategy that relies on baserunning, singles and hitting for average rather than hitting home runs

In the sport of baseball, small ball is an informal term for an offensive strategy in which the batting team emphasizes placing runners on base and then advancing them into scoring position for a run in a deliberate, methodical way. This strategy places a high value on individual runs and attempts to score them without requiring extra base hits, or sometimes without base hits at all, instead using bases on balls, stolen bases, sacrifice bunt or sacrifice fly balls, the hit-and-run play, and aggressive baserunning with such plays as the contact play. A commonly used term for a run produced playing small ball is a "manufactured run". This style of play is more often found in National League game situations than in the American League due in large part to the absence of the designated hitter in the National League.

Teams may incorporate a small-ball strategy for a variety of reasons, including:

1. They are confident that their pitching staff will allow very few runs, thus one or two runs may win the game.
2. The opposing pitching staff allows few hits, especially extra-base hits, and small ball may be the best way to score runs at all.
3. The team lacks consistent hitters and must find a way to score runs with few base hits.
4. The team has several members who are very quick and are likely to steal bases, or go from first base to third base on a single.
5. The team is in the late innings of a close game and a single run will tie the game, break a tie, or extend a narrow lead.

Most commonly, managers will switch to small-ball tactics while a game is in progress, doing so upon the convergence of a variety of factors including having appropriate hitters coming up next in the batting order and, often, having fast runners already on base. A team could also start the game with the intention of playing small ball but then change from this strategy at some point during a game, depending on circumstances, such as when the opposing pitcher is struggling or has left the game or when the team is ahead or behind by several runs.

In basketball, small ball is a style of play used by a team that sacrifices height, physical strength and low post offense/defense in favor of a lineup of smaller players for speed, agility and increased scoring (often from the three-point line). Some teams employ a non- center dominated style of play. Teams often move a physically dominant player who would typically play the small forward position into the power forward position. Examples of players who have been used in this role include Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, and LeBron James. A small forward who can play as a power forward may be known as a "hybrid forward", cornerman or tweener. That individual would play alongside either a traditional power forward (shifted into the center position), or alongside a center. The vacant small forward position would then be filled with a swingman, a slasher small forward or shooting guard or a three-point specialist.

The advantage of using small ball is that the power forward position is occupied by a faster, more agile player who can outrun and outmaneuver the opposing power forward. In many cases the player may have a better three-point shooting percentage than a traditional power forward, which (as well as increasing points from three-point plays) can help spread the opposition defense. The opposing defender will come out to mark the player on the perimeter of the three point line, allowing space for teammates to run in and score around the basket. A player occupying this position, with a high three-point shot success percentage, is coined a "stretch 4". When utilized by the Miami Heat, Erik Spoelstra called this style of play "Pace and Space".

While the style of play does have advantages, there are several disadvantages. The addition of speed and agility comes at the cost of strength and height. The lack of "big men" can make it more difficult to guard the space under the basket while on defense; it can also prevent the team from having a low-post offensive threat when attacking. Rebounding is often sacrificed; for example, in the 2012–13 season, the Miami Heat, playing small ball, had the most wins during the season of any team in either conference, but were the worst team in either conference, by a wide margin, in total rebounds. The Golden State Warriors in 2014–15 used small ball to a greater extent in the NBA Finals than any prior champion, swapping out big man Andrew Bogut from the starting lineup for Andre Iguodala, who would eventually be named the Finals MVP.

Small ball may refer to:

• Small ball (baseball)
• Small ball (basketball)