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automatic runner

American

[aw-tuh-mat-ik ruhn-er] / ˈɔ təˌmæt ɪk ˈrʌn ər /

noun

Baseball, Softball.

Also called ghost runner. a runner who is automatically placed on second base at the beginning of each half of an extra inning, before any pitch is thrown.

Etymology

Origin of automatic runner

First recorded in 1980–85; added to Major League Baseball rules of play in 2020

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Dodgers went behind 5-4 in the top of the 10th, when Teoscar Hernández misplayed a ball in left field that allowed Pittsburgh’s automatic runner to score.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 11, 2024

But the Dodgers rallied again in the bottom of the 10th, Andy Pages hitting a one-out double to left field off reliever Greg Weissert to score automatic runner Freeman to trim Boston’s lead to 6-5.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 20, 2024

He gave up an infield single to Blackmon that moved Jacob Stallings, the automatic runner, to third base.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 21, 2024

The Mariners appeared to have picked off automatic runner Tim Anderson at second when Cal Raleigh fired down to Crawford after a pitch from Justin Topa.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 23, 2023

Kyle Schwarber began the 10th as the automatic runner at second base.

From Washington Times • Jul. 24, 2023

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023