automatic runner

[ aw-tuh-mat-ik ruhn-er ]

noun

, Baseball, Softball.

1. 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of automatic runner¹

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

Example Sentences

Ohtani turned a one-run deficit into a one-run lead with a 338-foot chip shot over the short wall in right field in the fifth inning, but his towering drive to right with the automatic runner aboard in the 10th fell just short of the warning track, and the Dodgers lost to the Tampa Bay Rays 9-8 in front of a crowd of 48,488 in Chavez Ravine.

From Los Angeles Times

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

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

New Dodgers left-hander Anthony Banda, acquired Friday from Cleveland for cash, set the stage for the dramatic win when he stranded the automatic runner in the top of the 10th by striking out Mike Ford with an 83-mph cut-fastball, getting Jeimer Candelario to ground out to third and Jake Fraley to ground out to first.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times