Softball began in Chicago in 1887 as an indoor version of baseball for young men but soon became a popular sport for women. The game moved outdoors, too, and was called "kitten ball" until 1926, when the name softball took hold. The rules tend to be similar to baseball, but there are some unique rules for softball. And because the sport developed a slow-pitch and a fast-pitch version, rules have had to be amended still further throughout the years.
Playing Field
According to the Amateur Softball Association, bases are 60 feet apart and the pitcher's mound is usually 43 feet from home plate or 40 feet for girls younger than 16 years old. Male fast-pitch softball requires the mound to be 60 feet from home plate. A backstop must be in place 25 to 30 feet behind home plate.
Pitch Height
In slow-pitch softball, the pitch must be at least 6 feet high at the top of its arc but no more than 10 feet high. There are no height requirements for fast-pitch softball. In both types of softball, the pitch must be thrown underhand and the pitcher must start out her windup touching the ball with both hands (one hand in a glove) and with both feet touching the pitching rubber on the mound. She may only take one step forward as she delivers the pitch.
Innings
Softball games are seven innings as opposed to most amateur and professional baseball games (from the college level and minor leagues to the major leagues), which are nine innings. An inning includes both teams getting a chance to bat and play in the field. A game can be over after the first half of the seventh inning if the home team (which always bats in the last half of the inning) has the lead after the visiting team's half of the seventh concludes.
Running
Batters may overrun first base and not be tagged out after they pass the base, provided they touch the base before they are tagged out or they are not out because an opponent with the ball tagged first before the batter reached the bag. In addition, softball players may not take a lead off the base until the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. A runner may not run more than 3 feet outside of the baseline, according to the umpire's estimation. A runner who exceeds that 3-foot rule will be called out.
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