Origin: Germanic Old English prefix
Force play has 2 different meanings across 1 category:
a putout of a base runner who is required to run; the putout is accomplished by holding the ball while touching the base to which the runner must advance before the runner reaches that base
"the shortstop got the runner at second on a force"
A play in which a baserunner on first base is required to advance to second base because the batter has become a runner, or a runner on second or third base is required to advance because a runner on a preceding base is so forced.