Force outs and tag outs
WBSC · 2026–2029A force play occurs when a runner loses the right to their base because the batter becomes a batter-runner. A fielder controlling the ball can retire that runner by touching the required next base before the runner arrives. Without a force, simply touching a base normally does not retire a runner.
The rule
A force play occurs when a runner loses the right to their base because the batter becomes a batter-runner. A fielder controlling the ball can retire that runner by touching the required next base before the runner arrives. Without a force, simply touching a base normally does not retire a runner.
In practice
A legal tag touches the runner with the ball, or with the hand or glove holding it securely, while the runner is off base. Dropping or juggling the ball can invalidate the tag. A force can disappear after a following runner is retired. The batter-runner may overrun first and return safely, but attempting to advance toward second changes that protection.
Sources & approach ↗