warning track

noun

, Baseball.

1. a strip, often consisting of a cinder or dirt track, bordering the outer edge of the outfield between the outfield turf and the stadium wall that alerts outfielders that the wall is near, especially as they back up to catch a fly ball.

Word History and Origins

Origin of warning track¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Avila wound up on third after Herrera and right fielder Bryce Harper collided during a moment of indecision trying to make a play on a flyball that landed between them at the warning track.

From Washington Post

Later that season an ulnar nerve contusion cost him 11 games when he collided with teammate Charlie Tilson at the warning track in Kansas City.

From Washington Post