What Is a Force Out in Baseball?
Sometimes the runner has no choice but to advance.
A force out happens when a runner must advance because the batter became a runner, and the defense gets the ball to the required base first.
A force out in baseball occurs when a runner is required to move to the next base because another runner is coming behind them. The defense does not need to tag the runner; touching the forced base with the ball in time is enough. Force outs are common on ground balls and are central to double plays. They are easier to understand once you know whether the runner had to advance or had a choice.