Showing results for automatic runner. Search instead for Automatic+Funds+Transfer.

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.

Pinch-hitter Cavan Biggio then opened the bottom of the 11th with a sacrifice bunt to advance automatic runner Kiké Hernández to third.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 20, 2024

The Cardinals scored their automatic runner in the 10th.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 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

Harold Castro, who began the inning as the automatic runner on second, scored the go-ahead run when Chafin walked Cole Tucker on four pitches.

From Washington Times • Aug. 9, 2023

Cron swinging through a high fastball to end it, stranding the Angels’ automatic runner at second.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 6, 2023

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