force play
force play — noun
1. A baseball play in which a runner already on a base has no choice but to advance
A baseball play in which a runner already on a base has no choice but to advance when the batter hits the ball and runs toward first. The defending player records an out by touching that base with the ball before the runner arrives — no tag is needed.
The batter's grounder to the shortstop set up a force play at second with a runner on first.
collocation: force play at [base]
Cole fielded the grounder and stepped on second to complete the force play.
collocation: complete the force play
Felipe was called out on a force play at first after the shortstop's throw beat him to the bag.
passive: be called out on a force play
A force play at third ended the inning when the third baseman stepped on the bag.
collocation: force play at [base]
Ito's grounder forced the runner at first to advance, and the shortstop recorded a force play at second.
collocation: force play at [base]
- force play at [base]
- complete a force play
- force play situation
- force play on [runner]
- called out on a force play
- force out
Refers specifically to the defensive action of putting the runner out, whereas 'force play' describes the entire situation that leads to it.
Grammar Patterns
force play + at + [base]
a + force play + on + [runner]
Usage Note
Only used in baseball contexts. A force play differs from a tag play — the defender touches the base, not the runner. When the batter is put out before reaching first base, the force is removed and runners may return to their original base.
Common Mistakes
Common collocations
Etymology
First known use
1912
1912, in the meaning defined above