Trap Meaning in Softball

A trap occurs when a fielder catches a ball just after it bounces. To the naked eye it looks like a clean catch in the air. However the ball actually hit the ground for a fraction of a second. An umpire will rule this a hit rather than a defensive out. An outfielder dives for a low ball and traps it against the grass. The umpire signals a fair ball and the batter runs to first base. Runners can advance safely because the ball was not caught in flight. Defenders must show the ball clearly to prove they made a legal catch. Trapping is a common source of confusion and debate during close softball games.