force play

[fawrs pley]

noun

Baseball.

1. a defensive play in which the fielder holding the ball can make a putout by stepping on, or otherwise touching, the base that a runner is heading toward, having been forced to advance to that base because of a batter’s base hit.

Word History and Origins

Origin of force play¹

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Example Sentences

The Dodgers had to settle for the force play, and Snell had to make an extra seven pitches to get out of the inning.

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That meant, instead of a sacrifice fly situation, a force play was on for the defense.

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Canady responded by striking out Taylor Stephens on a change-up and getting Kaitlyn Terry to ground into a force play at home to end the threat.

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In the 10th, Treinen gave up a run when Jazz Chisholm Jr. singled, stole second base, stole third base and scored on a force play.

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The next batter, Steve Garvey, hit a shot to almost the same place, but Nettles grabbed it and threw to second for the force play and third out.

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