ballhawk

See also: ball hawk

English

Etymology

ball +‎ hawk

Noun

ballhawk (plural ballhawks)

1. (American football, basketball) A player who is particularly good at catching interceptions.
2. (baseball) A fielder who is particularly good at catching fly balls.
   • 2001 October 5, Deanna Isaacs, “Oddballs and True Believers/Film Center's New Marquee Player”, in Chicago Reader‎^[1]:

     They documented Waveland Avenue's ballhawk culture, where Moe Mullins, who's recovered more than 3,500, is king, and followed him home to gape at his bounty: 1,000 major-league balls hoarded like dinosaur eggs.

   • 2007 July 18, Lee Jenkins, “At Wrigley, Fans Debate What to Do With a Ball”, in New York Times‎^[2]:

     Last season, when the Giants came to town, a noted ballhawk named Wes Wagner scored tickets in the first row of the bleacher boxes in right field.

Derived terms

• ball-hawking

Translations

player in team ball games who is skilled at catching or getting possession of the ball