small ball

noun

1

a

baseball : an offensive strategy that involves at bats that advance one or more base runners into scoring position

One popular subject as Major League Baseball is starting up is the possible return to small ball. In a 60-game season, the rationale goes, … getting runners from first base into scoring position has added importance, as does getting the fly ball that brings runners home from third with less than two out.

—John Hickey

b

basketball : a game strategy based on speed and agility of players as opposed to height and physicality

It's been said that changes to the game in recent years have weakened the importance of positions, led to the rise of small ball and ruined the game for big men. But there's still a booming market for big guys out in NBA front offices …

—Sean Deveney

2

: a strategy for progressing toward a goal by proceeding in small steps or by addressing small matters

"Small ball" is almost always a better approach than big expensive changes.

—Quint Studer

… we can go from either extension of unemployment and eviction moratoriums and the small ball stuff all the way to a broad package that I think is where the gang of bipartisan senators want to be.

—Liam Donovan

Examples of small ball in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Dodgers went ahead for good by playing small ball in the bottom of the inning. —CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026

In the bottom of the fourth, small ball, heads-up baserunning and defensive miscues set the table for a Wolverines rally. —Tony Gleason, Daily News, 18 Apr. 2026

Tampa’s small ball led to a sweep of the Yankees in their first series versus an American League East opponent this season. —Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2026

The Padres countered that curveball with small ball as Merrill bunted runners to second and third in the first inning ahead of Manny Machado’s sacrifice fly to center. —Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026

The Sox relied on small ball, from double steals to bunts, during their home opener Friday for a 5-4 victory in 10 innings. —Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026

After small ball was all the rage during the late 2010s, NBA teams are now playing lineups with two bigs more frequently. —Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 2 Apr. 2026

Add chickpea flour to the mixture and form small balls. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 1 Apr. 2026

New Braunfels took the lead in the second inning by playing small ball. —Eric Moreno, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1986, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for small ball

• aldol
• armhole
• atoll
• awol
• backhaul
• banal
• baseball
• befall
• cabal
• catchall
• cecal
• centrale