Black cat runs for ball pitched short (7)
I believe the answer is:
bouncer
'ball pitched short' is the definition.
'bouncer' can be an answer for 'ball' (I have seen 'Lively ball' mean 'bouncer' so perhaps 'ball' could also mean 'bouncer'). I'm unsure of the 'pitched short' bit.
'black cat runs' is the wordplay.
'black' becomes 'b' (as in pencil classifications).
'cat' becomes 'ounce' (ounce can mean a snow leopard).
'runs' becomes 'r' (cricket abbreviation).
'b'+'ounce'+'r'='BOUNCER'
'for' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for bouncer that I've seen before include "He guards the entrance to nightclubs" , "Dance-hall employee" , "Lively ball" , "A heavy - ball, say" , "cheque that's worthless?" .)