Ballpark Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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ballpark

[ˈbɔːlpɑːk ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in sports

A baseball park is a venue where baseball is played. A ballpark can be a professional stadium, a minor league stadium, or even a local field where amateur games are played.

Synonyms

diamond, field, stadium.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
ballpark	Refers specifically to a stadium where baseball is played, often used in a more general or casual sense. We're going to the ballpark to watch the Yankees play.
stadium	A large venue with seating for spectators, where various sports or events take place. It is a more formal and general term. The concert is being held at the stadium downtown. They built a new stadium for the football team.
field	General term for the entire playing area in various sports, including baseball. It can also mean a playing field for other activities. The players ran onto the field for the start of the game. They maintained the field very well here.
diamond	Refers to the baseball field itself, especially the infield, typically emphasizing the layout and shape. He hit a home run, and the ball went flying off the diamond. The players gathered on the diamond for practice.

Examples of usage

The team decided to build a new ballpark downtown.
Our local ballpark hosts games for the community league.
The ballpark was filled with cheering fans.
The players warmed up on the field before the game at the ballpark.
He hit a home run at the ballpark.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

The term has appeared in many movies and TV shows, often humorously about making estimates.
Baseball fans often associate 'ballpark' with nostalgic memories of attending games and classic players.
The popular song 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game' connects the term with fun, leisure, and America's pastime.

Science

In statistics, ‘ballpark figures’ often refer to preliminary data that is close to the expected outcome.
Researchers might give ballpark estimates when precise data is unavailable, relying on known variables.
In genetics, estimates of mutation rates are often described as ballpark figures due to their variability.

Business

In business settings, ballpark figures help teams quickly evaluate project costs or timelines.
Entrepreneurs might use ballpark estimates when pitching ideas to investors for clarity without detailed figures.
Companies often rely on ballpark numbers for budgeting and forecasting, especially in early project stages.

Linguistics

The phrase 'in the ballpark' is an idiomatic expression often used in American English, emphasizing approximate values.
Regional variations exist, with some cultures using similar expressions related to sports or games to signify estimation.
The use of 'ballpark' in language reflects how sports terminology permeates everyday communication.

Origin of 'ballpark'

Main points about word origin

The term 'ballpark' comes from the baseball fields where players compete.
Originally, 'ballpark' was used literally to refer to a space designated for playing ball games.
By the 1930s, the expression 'in the ballpark' began to be used to mean 'in the range of' or 'approximately'.

The term 'ballpark' originated in the late 19th century to describe the physical structure in which baseball games were played. It is a combination of 'ball' and 'park', reflecting the nature of the sport and the venue. Over time, the term has come to symbolize not just the physical space, but also the atmosphere and experience of attending a baseball game.

See also: ball, ballad, ballet, ballgame, ballot, ballroom, balls.