squeeze play

noun

|Updated on: 9 Jul 2018

Definition of squeeze play

1 : a baseball play in which a runner on third base starts for home plate as the ball is being pitched and the batter attempts to bunt to give the runner a chance to score

2 : the exertion of pressure in order to extort a concession or gain a goal

Recent Examples of squeeze play from the Web

David Weathers, Loretto High’s pitching coach, called for a squeeze play that ended up costing the team the game.

— jeff sanders, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Padres' first-rounder Ryan Weathers knows all about road ahead," 2 July 2018
Brokenborough reached home plate in the bottom of the sixth on a squeeze play when Lexi Rodriguez put down a bunt for the Panthers.

— varsity staff, OrlandoSentinel.com, "VARSITY TODAY: Eustis softball, hoops drafts, track times, football talk," 13 Apr. 2018
Heath Fillmyer gave up two runs in the top of the eighth inning, and San Diego scored the go-ahead run on a squeeze play against Kevin McCarthy in the ninth inning.

— pete grathoff, kansascity, "Padres 5, Royals 4: Nathan Karns returns to mound for first time since May | The Kansas City Star," 6 Mar. 2018
The squeeze play should still be enough for some clouds.

— ian livingston, Washington Post, "D.C.-area forecast: August-like temperatures will continue into next week," 23 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'squeeze play.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.