Can you call the wheel play in a non-forced situation?

The wheel play is designed to be used in a forced situation. In other words, it's to be called when the runner at 2nd must run. This allows the shortstop to simply receive the ball with his foot on the bag rather than applying the tag.

The question. Can you run the wheel play when the runner at 2nd is not forced?

Of course you CAN. But, does it have merit.

Consider that the no one would be behind the runner at 2nd anchoring him to the bag. He doesn't have to run and even if he did begin to run he could retreat to the bag without penalty. So, if the play was run you would have to consider the possibility of opening up the middle of the field without an option at 3B.

But, in this scenario, the wheel play may be more of a deterrent to advance to 3B rather than a play to get the out at 3B.

If the runner at 3B is that important and you know that the other team wants to advance him to 3B, I think the following would be worth considering.

Move your 3B in and rotate your shortstop over about 20 feet from 3B so he's got a considerable head start. Keep your 2B near the runner at 2B to hold him close. Have the 1B cheat in to begin with also. Now, you have planted a seed to the offense that we're just not going to let you advance the runner at your will. We might not record the out at 3B but it's going to be difficult for you to advance the runner to 3B.

It's basically a paradigm shift with this play that makes it a palatable option. Rather than thinking out at 3B, use it simply to dissuade the runner from moving to 3B.