Small ball

Small ball tactics are those that involve advancing runners slowly along the bases instead of relying on power hitting. Things like sacrifice bunts, hit-and-run tactics, stolen bases and trying to advance the runner with a ground ball to the right side are all considered part of small ball. Small ball tactics were commonly employed in the Dead Ball Era when power was less useful; they were also adopted by the Chicago American Giants of the Negro Leagues, who had an extremely pitcher-friendly ballpark.

Further Reading

• James D. Szalontai: Small Ball in the Big Leagues: A History of Stealing, Bunting, Walking and Otherwise Scratching for Runs, McFarland, Jefferson, NC, 2010. ISBN 978-0786437931