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Glite Dictionary
force-out

force-out

7.8
A play when a runner must go to a base and a player holding the ball touches it first
  • noun
  • /ˈfɔrsˌaʊt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : out for fuerza
  • The player was called out on a force-out at second base.

Examples

  • The shortstop made a quick throw to second base for the force-out.

  • There was a close force-out at third, but the umpire called the runner safe.

  • With two outs and the bases loaded, a simple ground ball could result in a force-out at any base.

  • Did you see that force-out during the game?

  • The player was caught in a force-out as the pitcher touched first base before he arrived.

  • After hitting the ball, the runner was involved in a force-out at second base.

  • During the game, the fielder made an impressive throw for a quick force-out at home plate.

Synonyms

force play
vsforce-out
  • Specialized
7.3

A play where a runner must advance and a fielder with the ball touches the base first

is an alternative name for the same play

Surface Forms

force-out singular
force-outs plural

Morphology

force-out = force (semi-transparent) = out + force

The components 'force' + 'out' are recognizable, but the specific baseball meaning (a play in which a runner is put out because they are forced to advance) is technical and not obvious to all learners. [Postprocessing: moved 'out' from base_words to prefix]

Etymology

Force-out comes from force ('to make someone move') and out ('not in'). In baseball a runner is sometimes 'forced' to advance to the next base, and if a fielder touches that base first the runner is put 'out', so a force-out is an out that happens because the runner was forced to move.