ghost runner

[gohst ruhn-er]

noun

Baseball.

1. automatic runner.

2. imaginary runner.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ghost runner¹

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

Realmuto’s 10th-inning sacrifice fly scoring ghost runner Harrison Bader with the winning run for Philadelphia.

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A far-fetched idea, but Manfred has ushered in sweeping changes, from the widely praised pitch clock to the more contentious extra-inning “ghost runner.”

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Major League Baseball has implemented a “ghost runner” rule that automatically places a runner at second base in extra innings during the regular season.

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The Angels lost to the Blue Jays 12-11 in 10 innings after Cavan Biggio, Toronto’s ghost runner, scored on Kevin Kiermaier’s ground-rule double and George Springer drove in another run against Carlos Estévez.

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Drury, the Angels’ ghost runner, and Urshela, who knocked a single into center field, and Ward, who worked a walk against Trevor Richards, loaded the bases.

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