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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

leadoff

The difference was clear when contrasting Braves leadoff hitter Drake Baldwin’s first and second at-bats against Skubal.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026

The Phillies have upended a century of baseball lineup wisdom by putting their slugger in the leadoff spot and batting their contact hitter cleanup.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026

Ohtani has hit leadoff in every game he’s started this year.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026

It also explains why Schwarber has been largely ensconced in the leadoff spot since joining the Phillies in 2022.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026

I’m always pumped before the first pitch of a game, especially when I’m batting leadoff and especially when it’s the first game of a doubleheader.

From "A High Five for Glenn Burke" by Phil Bildner

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