Doubleheaders are played now only when events like rain or snow storms necessitate them. The term originated in the railroad industry, from double-heading, which was the practice of having a train with more than one locomotive (sometimes as many as three) and charging tickets for each.

What does the phrase double-header mean?

Definition of doubleheader

1 : a train pulled by two locomotives. 2 : two games, contests, or events held consecutively on the same program.

What does double-header mean in baseball?

A doubleheader (aka twin bill) is when two games are played on the same day. Unless specifically described otherwise, the two games in a doubleheader are between the same two teams and paid for with a single admission price, and the second game starts shortly after the end of the first game.