batter's eye

noun

baseball

: a dark-colored area or structure (such as a wall or screen) that is situated behind center field and that is intended to minimize visual distractions in the line of sight of a batter who is tracking a pitched ball

Strawberry then hit a monster shot just to the right of the batter's eye in center field, about 440 feet from home plate.

—Jim Donaghy, Associated Press, 9 June 1990

The top section of the batter's eye will be a semi-transparent green screen that will allow fans roaming the concourse to see the game without affecting the batter's view.

—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2002

The Boston Ivy will grow up the center field wall and batter's eye and give O'Brien Field a look reminiscent of Wrigley Field.

—Jim Ruppert, State Journal-Register (Springfield, Illinois), 3 Oct. 2004

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

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