Automatic Double

The Automatic Double, sometimes (incorrectly) referred to as a “ground rule double,¹” is when a batted ball hits the ground, then bounces over the fence and out of play. This usually means a sharply hit line drive that hits the outfield at just the right spot that its next bounce carries it over the fence. Every so often, you’ll see one where a hooking line drive gets enough spin on it that it bounces over the fence in foul territory, but as long as it bounces fair first, that also counts as an automatic double.

An automatic double results in, well, a double. Automatically. The batter winds up at second base, and everyone prepares for the next batter.