# 1st Baseman’s Glove?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1st-baseman-s-glove/967603>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Tags:** baseball-mlb\
**Created:** [July 8, 2022, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1st-baseman-s-glove/967603 "2022-07-08T03:53:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![19USMC69](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/ac91a4/32.png) [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2022, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1st-baseman-s-glove/967603/1 "2022-07-08T03:53:34Z")

</div>

Why is it shaped the way it is?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2022, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1st-baseman-s-glove/967603/2 "2022-07-08T04:01:50Z")

</div>

According to this article:

- The rounded edge is to facilitate successfully catching throws to first that wind up in the dirt, by funneling the ball into the glove.
- Its width is to give the biggest possible target/catching area for throws to first.
- Its deep web makes it less likely for balls to pop back out when being caught; since it’s relatively uncommon for a first baseman to have to immediately throw a ball after catching it, he can get away with a deeper web than other infielders.

> **[Why Your First Baseman Needs A First Base Mitt | JustGloves](https://www.justballgloves.com/blog/post/why-your-first-baseman-needs-a-first-basemans-glove/)**
>
> Scoop up the three (3) big reasons why your first baseman needs a first base mitt. JustGloves details why a first base mitt is vital for playing at the corner spot on the diamond.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1st-baseman-s-glove/967603/3 "2022-07-19T14:33:47Z")

</div>

Note that the rules of baseball -specifically rules 3.05 and 3.06 - do not allow fielders at other positions to use that type of glove (generally called a “trapper.”) It’s reserved for the first baseman.

I am not sure when in baseball history they allowed first basemen to wear different gloves. It’s certainly a really, really old rule.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1st-baseman-s-glove/967603/4 "2022-07-19T15:25:32Z")

</div>

Not as old as I thought. [According to this website](https://www.baseball-almanac.com/rulechng.shtml) it was done in a set of 1950 rule changes.

> [@](#):
>
> 1950
> 
> - Rules for determining winning and losing pitcher established.
> - Size of first baseman’s glove/mitt regulated.
> - Strike zone redefined to from armpits to top of knees.