# MLB Rule: Trapped Ball

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-rule-trapped-ball/968886>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Tags:** baseball-mlb\
**Created:** [July 31, 2022, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-rule-trapped-ball/968886 "2022-07-31T20:20:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 2

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**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 31, 2022, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-rule-trapped-ball/968886/2 "2022-07-31T20:35:47Z")

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> [@Jinx](#):
>
> Two questions: I assume the same could be true at any base? Or, is this rule unique to a play at 1st base?

1. More likely to happen at first base, because, unless it’s a force-out (i.e., a runner _had_ to run to the next base because of runners behind him), outs at bases have to be through tagging the runner with the ball (including the ball in a glove), rather than simply touching the base while holding the ball.

2. First basemen’s mitts are different in design for those used by other fielders, as discussed in [this thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1st-baseman-s-glove/967603/) a few weeks ago; one of those differences is a rounder top edge, to facilitate successfully scooping up a ball that’s in the dirt.

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