leadoff

American  

[leed-awf, -of] / ˈlidˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

noun

1. an act that starts something; start; beginning.

2. Baseball.  the player who is first in the batting order or who is first to bat for a team in an inning.

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Etymology

Origin of leadoff

First recorded in 1890–95; noun use of verb phrase lead off

Example Sentences

His first-inning leadoff home run that followed three first-inning strikeouts?

From Los Angeles Times

He’s improved his speed and strength, so look for more steals as Centennial’s leadoff man this spring.

From Los Angeles Times

Entering Game 7 during that ninth-inning jam that Rojas and Pages helped him escape, Yamamoto retired the Jays in order in the 10th and then worked around a leadoff double in the 11th, fiedling a sacrifice bunt and then walking a batter before inducing a double play to seal the Dodgers’ repeat championship.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s also an argument that the Jays erred in not sacrificing in the eighth inning with Ernie Clement on second after another leadoff double.

From The Wall Street Journal

After a leadoff walk and a home run, pitching coach Eric Yardley went out for a chat.

From The Wall Street Journal