ground rule double: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical, sports journalism, informal
Quick answer
What does “ground rule double” mean?
In baseball, a batted ball that is declared an automatic double (two bases) due to specific stadium rules, typically because it bounces in fair territory and then goes out of play.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In baseball, a batted ball that is declared an automatic double (two bases) due to specific stadium rules, typically because it bounces in fair territory and then goes out of play.
Rarely used metaphorically to describe a pre-established, automatic outcome or rule-based exception in non-baseball contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Virtually non-existent in British English due to the sport's minimal cultural presence. The term is exclusively American in usage and recognition.
Connotations
In the US, it carries specific technical meaning and nostalgic/romantic connotations for baseball fans. In the UK, it is an opaque Americanism.
Frequency
Frequency is effectively zero in British English. In American English, it is low in general discourse but moderate within baseball reporting and commentary.
Grammar
How to Use “ground rule double” in a Sentence
[Subject] hit/was awarded a ground rule double.The umpire called/ruled it a ground rule double.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ground rule double” in a Sentence
adjective
American English
- A ground-rule-double situation arose.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used outside of papers on sports history or linguistics.
Everyday
Not used in everyday conversation outside of baseball discussions.
Technical
Exclusively used in baseball rulebooks, commentary, and reporting.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ground rule double”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He ground ruled doubled').
- Confusing it with a home run.
- Omitting 'rule' and saying 'ground double'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, a ground rule double is only a two-base hit, while a home run scores the batter and any runners on base.
Yes, if replay shows the ball did not meet the specific criteria (e.g., it was a home run), the call can be changed.
Because stadiums have unique architectural features (e.g., ivy, railings, low walls) that require specific rules to govern play.
No, it is exclusive to baseball and its related sports (e.g., softball).
In baseball, a batted ball that is declared an automatic double (two bases) due to specific stadium rules, typically because it bounces in fair territory and then goes out of play.
Ground rule double is usually technical, sports journalism, informal in register.
Ground rule double: in British English it is pronounced /ɡraʊnd ruːl ˈdʌb(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡraʊnd rul ˈdʌb(ə)l/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a baseball field with a special 'ground rule' painted on the grass: if the ball bounces here and leaves, you get a 'double'.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PRE-ESTABLISHED RULE IS A CONTRACT (the rule automatically determines the outcome, removing umpire discretion).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'ground rule double'?