Softball is one of the most popular sports played in North America. Women compete in softball at the high school, college, and professional levels. Young players learn the skills needed to play the game in youth programs. It is a game dominated by power pitchers who can throw the ball at speeds up to 70 miles per hour; those pitchers can also throw risers, drops, curves, and change-ups.
Pitching Regulations
Windmill pitching is an approved method of delivering the ball to home plate in competitive softball. However, the rules of the game prevent the pitcher from doing anything deceptive in her motion. The pitcher starts with the ball at waist level. She is allowed to make one complete revolution with her arm before releasing the ball. She may not make another revolution with her arm after releasing the ball, because that is considered deceptive. Pitchers may not do anything deceptive with their motion. The pitcher must step directly toward home plate from the pitching rubber, which is 43 feet from home plate. She cannot step to either side, because that is also considered deceptive.
Number of Players
There are 10 players on the field in competitive softball. The extra player usually plays in the outfield, but that is not required; the extra fielder can be placed anywhere in fair territory. The only player who is allowed to be stationed in foul territory is the catcher. A designated hitter may be used for any of the fielders. This is different from baseball, which allows a designated hitter for the pitcher only. The head coach of the softball team may use a designated hitter for any of the defensive players, not just the pitcher. The use of a designated hitter is not compulsory; all 10 players on the field are eligible to bat if the designated hitter is not used. A courtesy runner may be used for the catcher.
Protective Equipment
All catchers must wear protective equipment. This includes a catcher's mask, a body protector, shin guards, and a throat protector that hangs from the bottom rung of the catcher's mask. The catcher's mask can be traditional, or a hockey-style goalie mask. The body protector is commonly referred to as a chest protector. Batters must wear hard plastic helmets that offer protective covering to both ears. Those helmets must be worn as long as the batter remains on base. Facemasks for batters, runners and pitchers, are not required, but are allowed.
Member Comments