Softball is generally broken into either men's or women's leagues. However, co-ed softball is played, with a mixture of men and women. The basic game is the same as standard softball, but there are some variations in the rules. There are also some changes in the layout of teams. These differences won't change the game, but they will change the way it's played.
Lineup
The main difference when you make a lineup in co-ed softball is that the lineup has to rotate between males and females. Also, the minimum amount of players required to play a game is 10. Typically, it is nine, but there has to be an even number of males and females on the field, so the number is increased in co-ed softball. A team can bat up to 12 players, but the eleventh and twelfth batters must be a male and female.
Field Position
There are various positions in softball that do not get as much action in the field as others, and two of those are right field and catcher. Second base and right center are two other positions that are typically not hit to as often. When making a defensive lineup, it is important to remember three things. First, a male and female combination must play pitcher and catcher. Second, there must be two females and two males playing the infield. It does not matter which position they play, but there must be two of each at third base, shortstop, second base and first base. Lastly, there also must be two females and two males playing outfield as well, with actual position not a factor.
Walks
You would think a good game plan would be to walk the better male batters to get to the weaker female batters, but there are penalties associated with this. If a male batter is walked at any time in the game, he will automatically be awarded second base. If there are two outs in an inning and a male batter is walked, the female that bats behind him has the option of being awarded first base automatically. This rule deters teams from walking males in the game.
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