lead runner
First in race
In baseball, the lead runner is the baserunner closest to home plate—the one who would score first if all runners advanced.
When there are runners on first and second, the runner on second is the lead runner.
The term matters for strategic decisions: The throw went to second to get the lead runner.
In racing or competitions, the lead runner is simply whoever is currently in first place.
- frontrunnerLeading candidate or competitor
- paceSpeed of movement
- firstPosition number one
- baseSupporting bottom structure
- scoring positionBaserunner near home plate
steal · stolen base · sprint · taking off · ahead · distance · marathon · racer · trailblazer · pioneer · forerunner · advance · dash · track · stride · breakaway · pacesetter · head start
- baserunningsteal, stolen base, stealing, leadoff, slide
- leadersboss, bosses, chiefs, heads of state, chief
- runner typesmarathoner, sprinter, jogger, ultramarathoner, hurdler
lead runnerchaser
One who follows
pursuer · tail-ender · straggler · follower · runner-up
lead runnercellar dweller
Perennial last-place finisher
backmarker · dead last · loser · underdog · laggard
lead runnertailender
Last-place finisher
last place · straggler · laggard · also-ran
lead, runner, leads, led, leading, leader, leaders, leadership, mislead