On-deck circle

The On-deck circle is where the next batter in the lineup waits his turn before stepping to the plate. One common question in baseball trivia is to ask who was in the on-deck circle when some historic game-ending home run or strikeout took place.

The circle itself can either be a permanent feature of the ballpark - i.e. a dirt circle cut into the grass behind home plate - or be marked with a circular-shaped mat made of vinyl or plastic that can be removed between games.