bobble

noun

Bobble — the momentary fumbling mishandling of a baseball in play

Definition

The momentary juggling of a batted or thrown baseball; "the second baseman made a bobble but still had time to throw the runner out"

In depth

A bobble is the momentary juggling or fumbling of a batted or thrown baseball, a brief loss of clean control that, while not necessarily resulting in an error, can cost a fielder crucial time during a play. The word carries a slightly comic, almost affectionate tone, the image of the ball briefly escaping a fielder's full control before being recovered.

Origin

The word is likely imitative or playful in origin, related to 'bobbing,' a gentle up-and-down motion, evoking the brief, unstable juggling motion of a ball not quite securely caught. That lighthearted, almost comic quality distinguishes the bobble from more serious baseball terminology, the word's very sound suggesting something minor and quickly recovered from.

Usage examples

"The second baseman made a bobble before finally recovering the ball, costing his team a crucial half-second."

"Despite the bobble, the shortstop's strong arm still managed to retire the runner at first."

"Replay showed the brief bobble in slow motion, drawing good-natured groans from the home crowd."

How to use it

Bobble is precise, somewhat colorful baseball vocabulary, useful in sports writing and commentary describing a momentary, often minor mishandling of the ball, distinct from a more serious or consequential fielding error.