Collection Baseball 2026.06.18

Understanding Baseball Strategies: A Collection of KBO Terms and Situations

A list of gameplay strategy terms for baseball beginners curious about why managers use bunts, pinch hitters, and bullpen changes.

#Baseball Basics #KBO #Professional Baseball #Baseball Tactics #Sports Knowledge

As you start watching professional baseball, you quickly become familiar with the scenes of batters hitting and pitchers throwing. However, a manager's strategies can be challenging to grasp for a while. Understanding why a bunt is called, why a pitcher is changed despite pitching well, and the criteria for using pinch hitters and runners can change how you feel about the game.

This list organizes frequently used strategies and situational terms in KBO games at the beginner's level. Rather than memorizing statistics, focusing on 'what the manager is aiming for right now' makes baseball much more engaging.

Sacrifice Bunt

A strategy where the batter sacrifices an out to advance a runner to the next base. This tactic is often seen in crucial late-game situations or with lower-order batters. However, since it gives up an out, there is much debate from the perspective of expected runs.

상황 무사 1루·무사 1,2루 핵심 의미 아웃과 진루를 맞바꾸는 작전 관전 포인트 점수 차와 다음 타순 확인

Hit and Run

A strategy where a runner starts to steal while the batter attempts to make contact and put the ball in play. It disrupts the defensive positioning and helps avoid double plays, but if the batter misses, the runner risks being thrown out. The batter's contact ability and the runner's start are both crucial.

상황 1루 주자와 컨택형 타자 핵심 의미 주자 스타트와 타격을 동시에 실행 관전 포인트 포수 송구와 타자 컨택 능력

Run and Hit

This strategy allows for more discretion for the runner compared to Hit and Run. The runner starts, but the batter isn’t required to swing; instead, they can select a good pitch to hit. When a base stealer combines with a batter with good plate discipline, it can shake up the opposing battery.

상황 도루 가능 주자 출루 핵심 의미 주자 움직임으로 수비 압박 관전 포인트 볼카운트와 포수 견제

Double Steal

A strategy where two runners attempt to steal bases simultaneously. This is especially common in situations with runners on first and third bases, where the runner on first disrupts the catcher’s throw decision. If successful, it increases scoring chances, but if it fails, it can break the team's momentum, making timing essential.

상황 1,3루 또는 1,2루 핵심 의미 동시 도루로 수비 판단 흔들기 관전 포인트 포수 송구 선택

Squeeze Bunt

A high-risk strategy where the batter bunts to bring home a runner from third base. If the pitcher and the first and third basemen react quickly, the chances of failure are high. When it occurs in a close game late in the innings, the atmosphere in the stands can become electric.

상황 3루 주자와 1점 승부 핵심 의미 번트로 득점을 노리는 작전 관전 포인트 주자 스타트와 번트 방향

Pinch Hitter Card

Pinch Hitter

The choice to bring in a bench player that fits the current situation at bat. Factors such as pitcher match-ups, the need for extra-base hits, bunting ability, and recent form are all considered. If the pinch hitter succeeds, the manager's decision is praised, but if it fails, the overall bench strategy may be criticized.

상황 경기 후반 득점 찬스 핵심 의미 상황 맞춤 타자 교체 관전 포인트 투수 좌우와 벤치 자원

Pinch Runner Usage

Pinch Runner

A decision to replace a base-runner with a faster player to increase scoring chances. This is aimed at either advancing an extra base or scoring on an outfield hit. However, the substituted player cannot return, so one must also consider defensive positions and the upcoming batting order.

상황 경기 후반 동점·역전 주자 핵심 의미 주루 속도로 득점 확률 높이기 관전 포인트 다음 수비 포지션 변화

Bullpen Matchup

A strategy to introduce a relief pitcher based on the batting order and left/right matchups. Roles may vary from left-handed pitchers who excel against left-handed batters to pitchers aimed at preventing extra-base hits or those needed for strikeouts. The more frequent the pitching changes, the more the manager’s style of game management becomes apparent.

상황 중후반 핵심 타순 핵심 의미 타자 유형에 맞춘 투수 교체 관전 포인트 좌우 상성과 불펜 소모

Opener

A strategy where a short-inning pitcher is used first instead of a starting pitcher to face the opposing lineup's top hitters. Unlike traditional starting pitching, it combines the bullpen with long relief. In KBO, modified strategies may arise due to team circumstances and doubleheaders.

상황 선발 공백·불펜 데이 핵심 의미 짧은 첫 투수로 경기 시작 관전 포인트 두 번째 투수 투입 시점

Defensive Shift

A strategy to adjust defensive positioning based on data regarding the direction of a batter's hits. This may involve shifting infielders to one side against a batter with a strong pull tendency. If a batter hits in the opposite direction or lays down a bunt, the shift can be disrupted.

상황 특정 타구 성향 타자 핵심 의미 수비 위치를 데이터 기반으로 조정 관전 포인트 타자의 대응 방향

Intentional Walk

The choice to intentionally walk a dangerous batter to face the next one instead. This strategy is used when first base is open or to create a force-out situation. If the next batter succeeds, it can backfire significantly, highlighting the manager's courage and analytical decision-making.

상황 강타자와 득점권 위기 핵심 의미 상대할 타자를 선택하는 전략 관전 포인트 다음 타자와 병살 가능성

Closer Early Deployment

Early Closer Usage

The strategy of bringing in the closer not in the 9th inning but in the 8th to handle a critical situation or the most dangerous part of the lineup. The focus is on mitigating the most dangerous moments of the game rather than traditional save situations. If successful, it helps clinch the game, but it also increases the burden for subsequent innings.

상황 8회 핵심 위기·상위 타선 핵심 의미 가장 강한 불펜을 승부처에 투입 관전 포인트 남은 이닝과 불펜 자원

There isn't just one correct answer when it comes to baseball strategies. Even the same bunt can be a good or disappointing choice depending on the score difference, inning, batting order, bullpen situation, and players' conditions. After learning the terms, considering the rationale behind each choice during an actual game enhances the enjoyment of watching.

한눈에 보기 12개

Sacrifice Bunt

무사 1루·무사 1,2루 · 아웃과 진루를 맞바꾸는 작전 · 점수 차와 다음 타순 확인

Hit and Run

1루 주자와 컨택형 타자 · 주자 스타트와 타격을 동시에 실행 · 포수 송구와 타자 컨택 능력

Run and Hit

도루 가능 주자 출루 · 주자 움직임으로 수비 압박 · 볼카운트와 포수 견제

Double Steal

1,3루 또는 1,2루 · 동시 도루로 수비 판단 흔들기 · 포수 송구 선택

Squeeze Bunt

3루 주자와 1점 승부 · 번트로 득점을 노리는 작전 · 주자 스타트와 번트 방향

Pinch Hitter Card