Softball is one of the most popular games played in North America. It is one of the top competitive sports for women and it is also one of the most widely played recreational games among both men and women. Specialized equipment is needed at both levels, but it's fair to say that more is needed for competitive softball.
Bats
Both metal and wooden bats are legal for softball, but far more teams and individuals use metal bats than wooden ones. Bats are usually somewhere between 29 and 33 inches long while they weigh somewhere between 27 and 32 oz. Batters who are power hitters will want a bat with a thinner handle and bigger barrel, while contact or slap hitters will want a somewhat bigger handle.
Gloves
All softball players need gloves or mitts. Fielder's gloves have spots for each finger and the thumb, while the first baseman's mitt and the catcher's mitt have one slot for all four fingers as well as another for the thumb. The first baseman's mitt is elongated to allow the first baseman to scoop up errant throws, while the catcher's mitt has more padding to protect the catcher's hand from fast pitches.
Catcher's Equipment
Catchers wear protective equipment because they are in harm's way on every pitch. The most important piece of equipment is the catcher's mask because it protects the face and head from significant injury from the ball or the bat. The chest protector ensures that the catcher's upper body does not take any significant abuse. The shin guards protect the lower legs from foul balls and runners who slide into home.
Batting Helmets
All batters must wear helmets in fast-pitch softball. Pitches come into home plate at speeds approaching 70 miles per hour from a distance of 45 feet. This is the equivalent of a 95 to 100 mph fastball in baseball. Helmets are made of hard plastic and protect the head, ears and face from getting hit with a pitch.
Softballs
Fast- and slow-pitch softballs are usually 12 inches in diameter. Chicago-style softball is played with a 16-inch softball. The 12-inch softballs are white or day-glo yellow for night games. Softballs are quite hard and while they will lose some of their firmness over the course of a game, they can still do a lot of damage if they hit an individual squarely.
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