Ghost runner

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In baseball and kickball, particularly the schoolyard variety, the ghost runner is an imaginary baserunner.

In general, the ghost runner is not a real ghost and generally not very scary. They are used when there aren't enough players on a team to have runners on all the earned bases and a batter/kicker. Typically a ghost runner will only run on a force play, and only reaches the base when the real runner behind then reaches base. (i.e. a ghost runner can score a run, but only when a real base runner or another ghost runner reaches third)

[edit] Becoming a ghost runner

For any baserunning to occur, a batter must initially become a baserunner. Listed in decreasing commonality, this happens when:

he hits a fair ball,
he receives a base on balls,
he is hit by a pitch,
a third strike is not caught or is dropped by the catcher, providing first base is unoccupied or there are two outs, or
the catcher or any fielder interferes with him.

Then, if the team playing offense does not have enough players to continue, said baserunner will be replaced by a ghost runner.

[edit] Running the bases

Unlike a live baserunner, a ghost runner cannot steal a base, but can, depending on rules, advance on a wild pitch. This, however, is not all worthwhile unless he is on third as he will need to be forced to his next base.