Softball is a team sport that is popular worldwide. Although it shares many of the basic rules and principles of baseball, it also has its own set of unique rules that apply specifically to the softball field, the equipment the players use, and the unique pitching motion that the pitchers use
Pitching
As opposed to baseball, in which the pitcher delivers the ball to home plate using an overhand throwing motion, the pitcher in softball pitches using an underhand throwing motion. This motion, called the windup, provides momentum and force, allowing the pitcher to create velocity. According to the International Softball Federation, pitchers can complete a full windmill motion with the throwing arm during the windup, but cannot use more than one windmill motion before releasing the ball. Additionally, a softball pitcher must release the softball with only one hand making contact with the ball at its release point.
Fielding
Before the pitcher releases the pitch, all fielders must be in fair territory, inside the foul lines. The exception is the catcher, who is in foul territory behind home plate. It is illegal for any fielder, including the catcher, to willfully try to distract the batter or obstruct the batter's vision. The fielding team must get three outs each inning, by catching a ball in the air, by creating a forced out on a ball that has been put into play on the ground, or by the pitcher striking out the batter.
Batting
The batter stands inside the batter's box during a pitch and cannot intentionally step outside the batter's box while swinging. The batter gets a strike if she swings and misses or swings and hits a ball in foul territory, or if she doesn't swing at a pitch that crosses home plate within the designated strike zone; when she gets three strikes, she is out. The batter gets a ball if the pitch is out of the strike zone; if she gets four balls, she advances to first base on a walk.
Equipment
The basic softball is smooth and has either concealed stitches or smooth seams. Softballs are significantly larger than baseballs, between 11 and 12 inches in circumference. It is a violation to use a baseball or any other substitute for the ball. Players can use bats of a variety of sizes and weights, depending upon the player's comfort level and the specific rules of the league or tournament.
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