The game of baseball, cherished as America’s pastime, is frequently evolving as it strives to remain engaging, relevant, and entertaining. Amid these changes, one modern regulation that has provoked conversation and controversy in equal measure is the concept of the ghost runner, also known as an invisible runner. This unconventional rule, at first intended merely for baseball-inspired games with a shortage of players, has carved a remarkable niche in Major League Baseball (MLB). Before delving into the intricacies of the ghost runner protocol within the MLB, it’s crucial to understand its historical context.
Brief History of the Ghost Runner Concept
The ghost runner rule emerged from the casual or amateur sphere of baseball-style games, such as kickball, softball, and stickball, particularly when teams faced a deficit of players.