crack of bat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crack of bat" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of baseball to describe the sound made when a bat strikes a ball. Example: "The crowd erupted in cheers at the crack of bat, signaling a home run."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The crack of bat meeting ball echoed through the stadium.

The New Yorker

It started with a peekaboo crouch — which the Hall of Fame pitcher Ted Lyons once said resembled "a small boy looking around a corner to see if the cops are coming" — followed by a great slice of the wrists and a thunderous crack of bat on ball.

The New York Times - Books

This quick style of gameplay is based on batting and pitching and features music, crowd noises and even umpire calls and the crack of bat.

TechCrunch

Oh, man, the crack of bat, fists pounding on leather, the scents of an afternoon ballgame?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Baseball used to be a sport of reverie, with the murmur of the crowd, the chatter of announcers on transistor radios and the crack of bats.

The New York Times - Arts

It backs up to McCormick Field, home to Asheville's minor-league baseball team, the Tourists — the listing agent says you occasionally hear cheering and the crack of bats.

The New York Times

The old-fashioned crack of bats hitting baseballs has returned in force this spring in New York, as youth baseball leagues, especially in Brooklyn, have been shifting away from metal bats.

The New York Times - Sports

During a scrimmage his freshman year, he heard the crack of bats on a nearby field where fall baseball practice had begun, and he knew that was where he wanted to be.

The New Yorker

The music cuts out to silence, and we only hear chirping birds and distant crack of batted balls.

Vice

But before he began hitting in earnest, Romine had Butler stand outside on the street to tell him just how loud and potentially annoying the sound of repeated cracks of bat on ball would be.

The New York Times - Sports

And therein lies a scientific tale, said Dr. Robert Adair, a Yale physicist who presented a paper titled "The Crack of the Bat: The Acoustics of the Bat Hitting the Ball" at the meeting in Chicago.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Enhance your descriptions by adding details such as the type of bat (e.g., wooden, aluminum) or the resulting action (e.g., "the crack of the bat sent the ball soaring").

Common error

Avoid using "crack of bat" in contexts unrelated to baseball or hitting a ball with a bat, as it may sound out of place or confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crack of bat" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject or object to vividly describe a sound associated with baseball. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is considered correct and usable in English, often evoking the imagery of a baseball game.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "crack of bat" is a noun phrase used to describe the sound of a baseball hitting a bat. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English. While its grammatical status is sound, it's relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media. The phrase functions to create a sensory experience related to baseball and evokes imagery of the sport. Although "crack of bat" is vivid, consider its appropriateness for formal writing and choose alternatives such as "sound of bat hitting ball" in more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sound of bat hitting ball

Focuses on the sound and the action of the bat connecting with the ball.

thwack of the bat

Uses "thwack" as a synonym for "crack", emphasizing the impact sound.

report of the bat

Employs "report" to describe the sharp, explosive sound.

impact of the bat

Highlights the moment of contact and its resulting sound.

smack of the bat

Uses "smack" to convey a more forceful sound of the bat hitting the ball.

the bat's sharp retort

Uses the word "retort" to suggest a sharp, echoing sound from the bat.

the bat's loud report

A loud sound from the bat's contact with the ball.

sound of a base hit

Focuses on the result of the bat hitting the ball rather than the sound itself.

the sound of contact

More general term for the sound when bat strikes the ball

the bat's resounding strike

Suggests that the bat powerfully hits the ball.

FAQs

How can I describe the sound of a baseball bat hitting a ball?

Besides "crack of bat", you can use alternatives like "sound of bat hitting ball", "thwack of the bat", or "impact of the bat" to describe the sound.

What does "crack of bat" typically refer to?

The phrase "crack of bat" refers to the sharp, distinct sound produced when a baseball bat makes contact with a baseball.

Is "crack of bat" suitable for formal writing?

While "crack of bat" is vivid and descriptive, it is more suited for creative writing, sports articles, or informal contexts. In formal writing, a more neutral term like "sound of the bat hitting the ball" might be more appropriate.

Can I use "crack of bat" metaphorically?

Yes, although less common, "crack of bat" can be used metaphorically to describe a sudden, sharp sound in a non-baseball context. However, ensure the metaphor is clear and fits the overall tone and subject matter.