ballplayer

[ bawl-pley-er ]

noun

1. a person who plays ball professionally, especially baseball.
2. anyone who plays ball.

ballplayer

/ ˈbɔːlˌpleɪə /

noun

1. a player, esp in soccer, with outstanding ability to control the ball
2. a baseball player, esp a professional

Word History and Origins

Origin of ballplayer¹

First recorded in 1610–20; ball ¹ + player

Example Sentences

Ruth, as he put on the poundage and the paunch, the Yankees put their ballplayers in pinstripe uniforms because it made Ruth look slimmer.

From Washington Post

He’s willing to do all these things to step outside the box of just not being a star ballplayer.

From Washington Post

For Berry she’s that ballplayer who will bowl over the catcher, do whatever is necessary to score.

From The Daily Beast

We held this campaign together and it doesn’t make sense to put new ballplayers on the field in the ninth inning.

From Washington Post

Prosecutors have indicated they will present the testimony of several ballplayers who they say received oxycodone from Kay, with Skaggs often acting as a middleman.

From Washington Post

Nevertheless, Palmer is one ballplayer occasionally seen in the company of long, heavy novels.

From The Daily Beast

“Well, we only have one team,” Williams, the Russian ballplayer quipped.

From The Daily Beast

Japanese Ballplayer Gives Best Interview Ever Speaking perfect English is overrated.

From The Daily Beast

Over a squeaking microphone someone is introducing his dear friend who is as generous as he is modest and a g-r-r-eat ballplayer.

From The Daily Beast

Wilson looked more like a bouncer at a waterfront bar than a ballplayer.

From The Daily Beast

Ed was, in my opinion, the greatest all-around ballplayer the country ever saw.

From Project Gutenberg

If a ballplayer begins to play and to count his throws, it's all up for the time being.

From Project Gutenberg