Softball games are administered with many rules that dictate what players can do while pitching, hitting and base running. Official regulations make sure that each team has to play by the same standards, promoting fairness. Playing rules for softball are similar to baseball and only feature small differences when comparing different age levels. Those differences come about in base-running rules.
Game Rules
The softball team with the most runs at the end of the game wins, and players score runs by reaching the first three bases safely and then reaching home plate safely. Each offense gets three outs before its half of the inning is over, and runs do not count if they are scored after the third out is recorded.
Batters strike out if they accumulate three strikes before earning four balls or putting the ball into play, and balls not hit into the field of play are called foul and result in a strike, unless the batter already has two strikes.
Fielders record outs by catching batted balls in the air, by tagging runners not on a base with the ball or by touching the first-base bag with the ball before the runner gets there.
Pitching Specifics
Rule 10.2.1.1 in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Softball Rules and Interpretations states that pitchers must have both feet on the ground in contact with the pitcher’s rubber and a portion of the a foot must be on the top of the rubber.
Also, pitchers must make their first step in the direction of home plate and may not step sideways when delivering a pitch.
Batting Specifics
Batters must come to the plate with a bat that meets composition regulations and must have both feet inside the batter's box before the pitcher can deliver.
According to the American Softball Association rules, bats must be included on a list of approved bat models and feature an "ASA Approved" sticker.
Base-Running Specifics
The NCAA rule book states that base runners must stay on the base they occupy until the pitch leaves the pitcher's hand, which is different than in baseball, where base runners can leave at any time.
Some youth organizations have rules that require base runners to stay on their base until the ball is hit.
Runners must not interfere with fielders making plays on batted balls, and runners must touch each base in succession. A runner is to be called out if she ventures more than 3 feet out of the base line to avoid a tag attempt by a defensive player.
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