The light-hitting but slick-fielding Force is best known for setting off a National Association contract dispute between two teams.

The ensuing rulings prompted William Hulbert to begin organizing the National League.

[4][1] Baseball author Bill James describes a signing involving Force as one of the factors that prompted the establishment of the National League.

After the 1874 season, Force signed with both his 1874 team, the Chicago White Stockings of the National Association, and the Philadelphia Athletics of the same league.

[3] Force posted a .249 career batting average with 653 runs and 373 RBI in 1029 games played.