Softball is one of the most popular games in the United States, both as a competitive sport and as a recreational activity. Sometimes, all you need is a bat and ball, enough competitors who want to play and an open field in order to play the game. However, at a competitive level, players need equipment to play the game.
Bat and Balls
In order to hit the ball, you need at least one bat that two teams can share. Most softball bats are made of aluminum, but there are still some wooden bats available. You also need a 12-inch softball to play the game. The pitcher begins play by starting from the mound or circle and the game starts.
Gloves
All fielders need gloves for their catching hand. Your dominant hand is your throwing hand and you wear a glove on your other hand. Every player except the first baseman and the catcher wears a glove. The first baseman wears an elongated mitt to help scoop throws out of the dirt and catch errant throws, while a catcher wears a rounded, padded mitt to help absorb the sting of a hard pitch.
Catcher's Equipment
The catcher wears shin guards, a chest protector and a catcher's mask to protect against foul balls and keep from getting injured. While all of these are important, the most important is the mask because it protects the face and head from serious injury.
Batting Helmet
Every batter in an organized game must wear a helmet for every plate appearance. The mound is about 45 feet away and the ball can come speeding in over 70 miles per hour. This is equivalent to a 100 mph fastball on a baseball diamond.
Field With Bases
While you can play the game in any open space, a competitive game requires a field with bases set 60 feet apart. Home plate is flat on the ground, while the bases rise up an inch or more and are soft when stepped on. This helps keep the game uniform.
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