Baseball terms
Posted by ESC on May 27, 2000
In Reply to: Cover your bases posted by Bob on May 27, 2000
: : : Does anyone have an explanation for the phrase "cover your bases"
: : That's a sports thing. Some of the fans on Phrase Finder will have to explain because my knowledge of baseball is zero.
: It is indeed a baseball term. Whether it has an earlier, independent origin I can't say. That being said... in every baseball situation, a defensive player is assigned to "cover" (i.e., be available to make a play by being near) a "base," one of four positions, arranged in a diamond shape, which an offensive player attempts to circumnavigate, counterclockwise. It is a fundamental error to be in the wrong place ... so, by extension, "cover your bases" means to make preparations thoroughly.
By the way, a new phrase book I got recently mentioned a baseball terms book by Paul Dickson. I would be happy to supply the title if anyone is interested.