What is "squeeze play"

n. 1 (context baseball English) A play when the batter bunts a runner home from third. 2 (context poker English) A type of bluff where a player with a weak hand reraises a raiser and a caller.

1. n. an aggressive attempt to compel acquiescence by the concentration or manipulation of power [syn: power play, squeeze]

2. a baseball play in which a runner on third base tries to score as the batter bunts the pitch

A squeeze play (or squeeze) is a tactic, often occurring late in the hand, used in contract bridge and other trick-taking games in which the play of a card (the squeeze card) forces an opponent to discard a winner or the guard of a potential winner. Although numerous types of squeezes have been analyzed and catalogued in contract bridge, they were first discovered and described in whist.

Most squeezes operate on the principle that declarer's and dummy's hands can, between them, hold more cards with the potential to take extra tricks than a single defender's hand can protect or guard. Infrequently, due to of the difficulty of coordinating their holdings, two defenders can cooperate to squeeze declarer or dummy on the same principle.

Squeeze play may refer to:

In baseball, the squeeze play (aka squeeze bunt) is a maneuver consisting of a sacrifice bunt with a runner on third base. The batter bunts the ball, expecting to be thrown out at first base, but providing the runner on third base an opportunity to score. Such a bunt is uncommon with two outs because there is a significant chance that the batter would be thrown out at first base, ending the inning and thus negating the score. Likewise, such an attempt is unlikely with two strikes because a bunt attempt that is fouled off is an automatic third strike, resulting in the batter striking out. The squeeze play is said to have been invented during a college game at Yale University by Dutch Carter and George B. Case.

In a safety squeeze, the runner at third does not take off until the batter makes contact bunting, waiting for more certainty that the ball will go to a location from which it will be difficult for the fielding team to make an out at home plate.

In a suicide squeeze, the runner takes off as soon as the pitcher begins to throw the pitch, before releasing the ball. If properly executed, a play at home plate is extremely unlikely. However, if the batter fails to make contact with the pitch, the runner is likely to be put out at home plate (hence, "suicide"). Therefore, the suicide squeeze usually requires a skilled bunter who can make contact consistently, even on difficult pitches.

These plays are often used in the late innings of a close game in order to score a tying, winning, or insurance run.

Squeeze Play is an Ultra High Fidelity monaural phonographic album (33 RPM) which was released on the Dot Records label in 1956 (DLP-3024)1 featuring the artistry of John Serry Sr. It includes an original composition by Mr. Serry, classical works and popular music of the era. Ben Selvin serves as the musical director/producer for the album. The works were arranged by Mr. Serry and performed with his ensemble featuring two accordions, piano, guitar, bass, drum, vibes and marimba.

The liner notes of the album indicate: