What Does "In the Hole" Mean in Baseball?
Quick answer
Most often, the batter due up after the on-deck hitter: at bat, on deck, then in the hole. It also means the gap between the shortstop and third baseman, or a pitcher or hitter who has fallen behind in the count.
In this article
In baseball, "in the hole" most often means the batter who will hit after the on-deck batter. The batting order goes: at bat, on deck, then in the hole. You'll also hear the phrase in two other ways: a ground ball "in the hole" between shortstop and third base, and a pitcher or hitter who is "in the hole" because they're behind in the count.
1. The batting order: at bat, on deck, in the hole
Coaches and public-address announcers use three steps to keep the lineup moving:
| Position | Who it is | What they should be doing |
|---|---|---|
| At bat | The current hitter | In the batter's box |
| On deck | The next hitter | Warming up in the on-deck circle |
| In the hole | The hitter after that | Helmet on, bat and batting gloves ready in the dugout |
In youth baseball you'll hear coaches shout "who's in the hole?" constantly. It keeps games moving and stops kids from scrambling for a helmet when it's their turn. You may also hear "double on deck" or "in the hold," which mean the same thing.
Where the phrase came from isn't settled. A popular theory is that it started as "in the hold," borrowed from sailors and ships, and drifted to "in the hole" over time, but there's no firm evidence either way.
2. Fielding: a ground ball "in the hole"
"The hole" is also the gap between the shortstop and the third baseman. A hard ground ball in the hole is one of the toughest plays in the infield: the shortstop has to range far to his right, backhand the ball and make a long throw across the diamond to first base. Some coaches call the matching gap on the right side, between first and second, "the hole" too.
When an announcer says a ball "found the hole," it means a ground ball got through that gap for a single.
3. The count: a pitcher or hitter "in the hole"
The third use is about the ball-strike count. A pitcher who falls behind, say 2-0 or 3-1, is "in the hole" and has to throw a strike, which is good news for the hitter. A hitter who falls behind 0-2 is in the hole too. The opposite is being "ahead in the count." See what a full count is and why hitters often take on 3-0 for how the count shapes each at-bat.
Outside baseball
The phrase means different things in other places: in golf the ball is "in the hole" when it drops into the cup, and in everyday English being "in the hole" means owing money. On a baseball field, it's almost always one of the three meanings above.
For more baseball slang, browse our list of baseball terms explained.
Frequently asked questions
What does "in the hole" mean in baseball?
Most often it means the batter who is two spots away from hitting. The order goes at bat, on deck, then in the hole.
What is the hole in baseball fielding?
The hole is the gap between the shortstop and the third baseman. A ground ball "in the hole" forces the shortstop to range far to his right and make a long throw to first.
What does it mean when a pitcher is in the hole?
A pitcher is in the hole when he falls behind in the count, such as 2-0 or 3-1, and has to throw a strike. A hitter can be in the hole too, for example down 0-2.
Is "in the hole" the same as "on deck"?
No. The on-deck batter hits next and usually waits in the on-deck circle. The batter in the hole hits after the on-deck batter.
