Girls' fastpitch softball can be played by children as young as 5. It shares many of the rules of slow-pitch softball, but with shorter distance between bases, a smaller overall playing area and different rules for the pitcher--both in throwing motion and throwing area.
The Playing Field
A fastpitch softball field consist of a 60-foot square infield and an outfield marked by two foul lines extending beyond first and third base to the fence. The outfield fence is 150 to 200 feet from home plate. The National Softball Association states that the pitcher's circle is located between 35 and 43 feet from home plate depending on the players' age level.
Teams
Each team consists of nine players. The defense consists of a pitcher in the circle, a catcher behind home plate, four players in the infield--one at each base and a shortstop between second and third--and three outfielders, who are stationed behind first, second and third bases between the infield and the fence.
When a squad is on offense, players bat in a pre-determined order. Players must adhere to the order, but substitutions are allowed throughout the game.
Pitching
According to the official by-laws of the United States Specialty Sport Association, the pitcher must have one foot touching the pitcher's plate, and the other foot on or behind the plate before each pitch. She must have her hands separated. After taking a signal from the catcher, the pitcher must raise her hands in front of her body before beginning her wind up and delivery. If both the pitcher's feet are in the air simultaneously during the delivery, the umpire will call the pitch a ball. The pitch must be thrown underhand.
Batting
Batters remain at the plate until they have put the ball in play, or accrued four balls or three strikes. The strike zone is defined as the area between a player's knees and chest, and the width of the plate. Strikes occur when a player swings and misses at a pitch, when a player hits the ball into foul territory or when the umpire rules that a thrown pitch crosses the strike zone on its way to the catcher's mitt.
Baserunning and Scoring
Players score runs by successfully touching each base in order from first to home. Runners can advance from base to base on any live ball, or by attempting to steal a base. Stolen bases occur when the runner runs from one base to the next after a pitch has been released. The defense can attempt to throw the runner out by applying a tag to the runner before she touches the next base.
Making an Out
If a batter accumulates three strikes, she is ruled out. The defense can record an out if a fielder catches a batted ball before it hits the ground, if a fielder holding the ball touches a base before the runner gets there, or if a fielder holding the ball tags a runner who is not in contact with a base.
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