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

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.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 23, 2024

All six runs in the inning were unearned after second baseman Bryson Stott dropped a throw from shortstop Trea Turner on a potential force play.

From Washington Times • May 16, 2023

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

From Seattle Times • Apr. 5, 2023

These semi-conscious centres of force play a great part at séances, and are mostly the agents who are active in producing physical phenomena.

From Death—and After? by Besant, Annie Wood