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base runner

base runner

3 3.5
A batting team player on base or running to reach a base
  • noun
  • /beɪs ˈrʌnər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : corredor de base
  • If a base runner touches home plate, it counts as a run for the team.
  • stranded base runners
  • allow a base runner
  • base runners per nine innings

Examples

  • That first-year is an aggressive base runner.

  • While his defense still needed work, Bay had managed to become one of the best hitters in the league and earn a reputation as an excellent base runner as well.

    Blog text (28)
  • But should the base runner get all that credit?

    Blog text (14)
  • Willie, who was the best base runner?

  • No base runner has ever approached these records.

  • You have to make that call immediately to give the base runners a chance to react.

    Blog text (23)
  • The fastest base runner of all time was "Cool Papa" Bell.

  • He is also a good base runner.

    Blog text (16)
  • The Yankees had base runners in all of the first three innings off Vasquez, but could not push a run across.

    Blog text (19)
  • He is also an outstanding fielder and base runner.

    Blog text (11)

Synonyms

runner
vsbase runner
  • US
31 3.4

A baseball player who is on a base or trying to reach the next base

is the same idea described as being on base or running to reach a base
baserunner
vsbase runner
  • Jargon
3 4.1

A player on base trying to move to the next base or score

emphasises being on base or running to reach a base rather than scoring

Antonyms

out
  • Jargon
530 7.5

An event where a batter or runner is removed from play in baseball

Surface Forms

base runner singular
base runners plural

Morphology

base + runner

The meaning is a straightforward composition of 'base' (a baseball sack) + 'runner' (one who runs); knowing both constituent senses allows a learner to infer 'a player on or attempting to reach a base'. This follows regular English noun–noun compounding and is cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows the parts should understand it.

Etymology

Base runner gives a simple baseball picture: a player on a base who runs, the runner, to reach the next base. That's why it means 'a player on base or running to a base'.