within three batters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "within three batters" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to sports, particularly baseball, to indicate an action or event that occurs during the at-bats of three consecutive players. Example: "The pitcher managed to strike out the side within three batters, showcasing his dominance on the mound."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Within three batters, the lead was gone.

The New York Times - Sports

Within three batters, the Rays had taken the lead.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Within two batters, the score was tied.

The New York Times - Sports

After the Mets and Santana fell victim to a commanding pitching performance by the Padres in the afternoon, Niese held serve in the nightcap, coming within one batter of throwing the Mets' first perfect game.

The New York Times - Sports

He walked three batters and had to pitch out of trouble in the second, fifth and sixth innings, looking every bit as good as the pitcher who won 11 games for the Mets last year, when he also came within one batter of pitching a perfect game in Buffalo.

The New York Times - Sports

A couple of weeks later, while he was pitching in front of three hundred people in frigid Lake Erie air, his knuckleballs started "dropping like rocks in a pond," as he wrote, and he came within one batter of a perfect game.

The New Yorker

Three batters.

The New York Times - Sports

Pierzynski homered three batters later.

The New York Times - Sports

He mowed down three batters.

The New York Times - Sports

He walked three batters by the fourth.

The New York Times - Sports

Robertson fanned three batters in one and one-third innings.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "within three batters" to concisely describe an event occurring during or as a result of three consecutive plate appearances, particularly in baseball reporting.

Common error

Avoid using "within three batters" when referring to non-consecutive batters or events spread across a larger portion of a game. This phrase implies a specific, short sequence of plays.

Linguistic Context

Adverbial phrase modifying a verb, typically describing the timing or circumstances of an event in baseball. This phrase indicates that an action occurred during the at-bats of three consecutive players. Ludwig confirms this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "within three batters" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote that something occurs during the at-bats of three consecutive players, predominantly in baseball contexts. Ludwig AI validates that the phrase is correct. Although relatively infrequent, its usage is clear and concise, mainly found in news and media reporting. When writing, use this phrase to clearly indicate events that unfold in quick succession during a baseball game.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the span of three hitters

Replaces "batters" with "hitters" and uses "in the span of" to emphasize the short duration.

in three consecutive at-bats

Uses "at-bats" instead of "batters" and "consecutive" to highlight the sequential nature.

during three plate appearances

Employs the more formal term "plate appearances" instead of "batters".

over three hitters

Uses "over" to denote a time frame encompassing three batters.

in a trio of at-bats

Replaces "three batters" with the more descriptive "trio of at-bats".

following three batters

Indicates a result or state achieved after the actions of three batters.

after three hitters stepped up to the plate

More descriptive, explicitly states hitters going to the plate.

in just three turns at bat

Replaces "batters" with "turns at bat", emphasizing individual opportunities.

within a few batters

Vague quantity instead of the exact "three batters"

shortly after three players batted

Highlights the temporal proximity to the batting actions of three players.

FAQs

How is "within three batters" typically used in a sentence?

Typically, "within three batters" indicates that something happened during the at-bats of three consecutive players. For example: "The team scored two runs "within three batters" after the pitching change."

What phrases can I use instead of "within three batters"?

Alternatives include "in the span of three hitters", "in three consecutive at-bats", or "during three plate appearances", depending on the level of formality and desired emphasis. Each alternative offers a slightly different nuance while maintaining the core meaning of a short, consecutive sequence.

Is it correct to say "within the next three batters" instead of "within three batters"?

While "within the next three batters" is understandable, "within three batters" is more concise and commonly used. The addition of "next" doesn't significantly alter the meaning but adds unnecessary length.

In what sports besides baseball could I use the concept of "within three batters"?

The concept of a short sequence of players impacting a game could be adapted to other sports, but the phrase itself is specific to baseball. In basketball, you might say "in the next three possessions", or in hockey, "within the next three shifts".