small ball
noun
1
a
baseball
: an offensive strategy that involves at bats that advance one or more base runners into scoring position
One popular subject as Major League Baseball is starting up is the possible return to small ball. In a 60-game season, the rationale goes, … getting runners from first base into scoring position has added importance, as does getting the fly ball that brings runners home from third with less than two out.—
John Hickey
John Hickey
b
basketball
: a game strategy based on speed and agility of players as opposed to height and physicality
It's been said that changes to the game in recent years have weakened the importance of positions, led to the rise of small ball and ruined the game for big men. But there's still a booming market for big guys out in NBA front offices …—Sean Deveney
Sean Deveney2
: a strategy for progressing toward a goal by proceeding in small steps or by addressing small matters
"Small ball" is almost always a better approach than big expensive changes.—Quint Studer
Quint Studer… we can go from either extension of unemployment and eviction moratoriums and the small ball stuff all the way to a broad package that I think is where the gang of bipartisan senators want to be.—Liam Donovan
Liam DonovanExamples of small ball in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In bandy, athletes on ice skates use curved sticks to try to shoot a small ball (not a puck) into the other team's net.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 6 Feb. 2026
For the meatballs, combine ground beef with cornmeal, spices, and seasonings, then shape into small balls.
—Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Feb. 2026
One dish, a nod to Loon, is the Milk & Pine, which is a small ball of ice cream in a white chocolate shell, infused with pine needle oil and tongue loving kombucha, and a crisp snowflake cookie on top.
—Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Both gave way to Phoenix’s limitless fourth-quarter responses, shrugging off Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren’s late shot-making, as well as the Thunder’s late turn to small ball.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
With Mgbako out for the rest of the season, A&M may be forced to play more small ball, pushing the 6-foot-7 Agee into the five-spot more often.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 2 Jan. 2026
They are sold as small balls, cakes, or flakes used to control clothes moths, silverfish, and other pests that feed on wool and other natural fibers.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026
To make no-bake energy bites, stir ingredients together and roll into small balls.
—Lindsey Desoto, Health, 1 Dec. 2025
Form the dough into small balls.
—Marie Bladt, Vogue, 15 Nov. 2025
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Rachel Treisman, NPR, 6 Feb. 2026
For the meatballs, combine ground beef with cornmeal, spices, and seasonings, then shape into small balls.
—Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Feb. 2026
One dish, a nod to Loon, is the Milk & Pine, which is a small ball of ice cream in a white chocolate shell, infused with pine needle oil and tongue loving kombucha, and a crisp snowflake cookie on top.
—Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Both gave way to Phoenix’s limitless fourth-quarter responses, shrugging off Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren’s late shot-making, as well as the Thunder’s late turn to small ball.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
With Mgbako out for the rest of the season, A&M may be forced to play more small ball, pushing the 6-foot-7 Agee into the five-spot more often.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 2 Jan. 2026
They are sold as small balls, cakes, or flakes used to control clothes moths, silverfish, and other pests that feed on wool and other natural fibers.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026
To make no-bake energy bites, stir ingredients together and roll into small balls.
—Lindsey Desoto, Health, 1 Dec. 2025
Form the dough into small balls.
—Marie Bladt, Vogue, 15 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Small ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/small%20ball. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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