force play

American  

[fawrs pley] / ˈfɔrs ˌpleɪ /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of force play

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.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 30, 2025

At shortstop, Tommy Edman saved pitcher Brusdar Graterol by leaping high to catch an ill-advised throw and descending to nick second base for a force play.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 29, 2024

In the fourth, Matt Olson was initially called out on a force play at second.

From Washington Times • Oct. 8, 2023

Instead, Julio Rodriguez grounded into a force play and Ty France struck out to end the game.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 5, 2023

Throw it here!” yelled Collins, and Doyle, thinking that they were trying for a force play, increased his efforts to reach second.

From Pitching in a Pinch or, Baseball from the Inside by Mathewson, Christy