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| Waivers |
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A player usually takes three business days to clear waivers if no one claims him. Once he clears, the team can trade him, outright him to the minors (if he doesn't have 5 years of major league experience), or release him for the rest of the waiver period (the rest of the calendar month). If a player is claimed, the original team has 48 hours to let him go, pull him off, or negotiate a trade. Teams can put a maximum of seven players a week on waivers and can only make 40 claims a week. Almost every player is placed on waivers at some point during a season, but most will be pulled back or clear. When a player is placed on waivers, every team has a chance to claim him within three business days. If more than one team claims a player the team in the same league has preference and the team lower in the standings if all are in the same league (exception: in March and April, the standings from the previous standings are used). A player is often placed on waivers to be taken off the 40-Man roster, although in August and September a player must pass through waivers to be traded. The original team may block a claim and pull a player off waivers once a month. The next time a player is placed on waivers that month a claim cannot be blocked and the player automaticall goes to the other team. There are three main types of waivers: unconditional release waivers, irrevocable waivers, and procedural waivers (which allow players to be traded or sent outright to the minors). Waivers are completely confidential and officials may not disclose to the media the waiver status of any player.
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| Walk |
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An award given to the batter after the pitcher delivers 4 balls. If a hitter receives 4 balls during an at bat, they automatically advance to first base. Any forced base runners also advance. Also called base on balls.
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| Wasted! |
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Noun, called by the fielders after a foul ball is hit. A foul ball that cannot be caught by a fielder, out of play and not worth chasing.
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| We Got! |
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Outs earned by the fielding side, usually yelled by the catcher to the fielders, as in "One we got!" or "Two we got!"
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| Wheelhouse |
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A hitter's power zone. Usually a pitch waist-high and over the heart of the plate.
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| Whip |
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Walks + Hits/Innings Pitched
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| Wild Pitch |
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A pitch that eludes the catcher and allows base runners to advance. A scoring decision of a wild pitch puts responsibility for the action on the pitcher.
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| Wild Pitches (Wp) |
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Number of times a pitcher threw a ball, which was not handled by the catcher and resulted in a base runner advancing.
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| Wins (W) |
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Number of games that resulted in a win for a pitcher or a team.
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| Workhorse |
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Phrase used to describe a pitcher who can pitch a lot of innings.
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| World Series |
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The championship series matching the winners of the American League and the National League. The series is preceded by Divisional and League Championship series in each league. The World Series is a best-of-seven affair that takes place in October and has been held annually since 1903 (except in 1904 and 1994).
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| Worm-Burner |
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A ground ball with heavy topspin that rolls briskly across the field without bouncing
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