infield n : the area of a baseball field that is enclosed by 3 bases and home plate [syn: baseball diamond, diamond] [ant: outfield]

English

Noun

1. the region of the field roughly bounded by the wicket keeper, slips, gully, point, cover, mid off, mid on, midwicket and square leg
2. the region of the field roughly bounded by the home plate, first base, second base and third base

   They covered the infield with a tarp when it started to rain.

3. of an event, happening in the infield

   Jones ran out an infield single.

4. the area inside a racetrack or running track

   “Gasoline Alley” is in the infield at Indy.

5. a constrained scope or area

   Let’s keep this problem in the infield.

Antonyms

• outfield

Derived terms

• infielder
• infield fly
• infield hit

Infield is a widely used term in sports terminology, its meaning depends on in what sport it is used.

In baseball

In baseball the baseball diamond plus a rounded region beyond it (see diagram), usually clear of grass, in contrast to the more distant, usually grass-covered outfield. It also refers to the defensive unit of players that are positioned in the region: first baseman, second baseman, shortstop, third baseman and sometimes including the catcher & pitcher who are as a tandem often referred to separately as the battery.

In cricket

In cricket infield is a central oval on the cricket field (see diagram), the reference point for fielding restrictions in short forms of the game; in contrast to the more distant outfield

In Other Sports/Recreations

Infield can refer to a region inside a closed horse racing or auto racing track, or to an area encircled by the track of a roller coaster.

See also

• Outfield

archery ground, athletic field, badminton court, baseball field, basketball court, billiard parlor, bowling alley, bowling green, course, court, cricket ground, croquet ground, croquet lawn, diamond, fairway, field, football field, glaciarium, golf course, golf links, gridiron, gym, gymnasium, ice rink, links, outfield, oval, playground, playing field, playroom, polo ground, pool hall, poolroom, putting green, racecourse, racket court, rink, skating rink, soccer field, squash court, stretch, tennis court, track, turf