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

With automatic runner Will Smith at second, Max Muncy was intentionally walked to open the 11th.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2024

Seattle took advantage of the good fortune, taking lead in the top of the 10th on Crawford’s RBI single to score automatic runner Jorge Polanco from second.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 21, 2024

Ryan O’Hearn sacrificed the automatic runner to third for Baltimore, giving Mullins a chance to win the game.

From Washington Times • Sep. 17, 2023

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

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