SOFTBALL RULES

Softball was created by George Hancock in Chicago in 1887. The game originated as an indoor variation of baseball and was eventually converted to an outdoor game. The popularity of softball has grown considerably, both at the recreational and competitive levels. In fact, not only is women’s fast pitch softball a popular high school and college sport, it was recognized as an Olympic sport in 1996.

OBJECT

• To score more runs than the opposing team.
• The team with the most runs at the end of the game wins.

Equipment differs for offensive and defensive positions.

· On offense, batters have a wooden or aluminum bat, batting gloves for grip, and batting helmets for protection.

· On defense, fielders use a leather glove. The catcher has special protective equipment, including a face mask, chest protector, and shin/leg guards.

All players wear shoes with cleats. The uniform consists of a jersey; pants, shorts, or skirt; and a baseball cap, visor, or headband.

Fast pitch softball is similar to baseball; however, there are notable differences.

· For example, the pitch is delivered underhand, the ball is larger, the field is

smaller, and base runners cannot leave a base until the pitcher releases the pitch.

1) There are 9 players on a softball team

2) The playing field is divided into the infield and outfield

3) The lines between the bases are 60’ apart and when joined they form a “diamond”, inside the baseline is known as the infield

4) Outside the baseline but inside the playing field is called the outfield.

Any ball going outside the 1st or 3rd base line is a foul ball ( runners can not advance and the batter gets another try unless the ball was caught in the air, which translates to an out)

An official game is 7 innings (a inning is when both teams have had their turn to bat)

1) The pitcher must have both feet on the pitcher’s rubber and can only take one step forward while pitching.

2) The ball must be thrown underhand.

3) Both hands must be on the ball at the start of the pitch.

1) Batters must follow the same order throughout the whole game

2) The batter is out if and when:

a) three strikes have been called

b) a fly ball is caught

c) the batter does not stand in the batter’s box

1) Runners must touch each base in order

2) Runners may overrun 1st base only, all other bases the runner may be tagged and called out if they are off the base.

3) Runners can not lead off a base, they must be on base until the ball as left the pitcher’s hand

4) After a fly ball has been caught the base runner must tag the occupied base before

5) advancing to the next base

6) One base runner can not pass another base runner that is ahead of them.

7) Stealing a base is not permitted

8) A runner is out if:

the ball gets to 1st base before the runner

they are tagged with the ball before reaching a base

they run more than 3 feet out of the base line to avoid being tagged