Softball is both a recreational game and a highly competitive sport. Fastpitch softball is played at the youth, high school, college and professional level. Pitchers can throw the ball at speeds up to 70 miles per hour, which corresponds to a baseball thrown about 95 mph. The rules of the game establish the number of players, size of the field and styles that may be used by pitchers.
Game Particulars
Softball games are seven innings long. If the home team is ahead after the visiting team has batted in the seventh inning, the home team does not bat. On the softball diamond, the bases are all 60 feet apart. The pitching rubber is 46 feet from the rear corner of home plate. Fences are not required on softball fields, but the Amateur Softball Association recommends that if they are in place, they should be at least 200 feet from home plate.
Number of Players
When a team is on defense, a team may have 10 players on the field, one more than in baseball. The extra player usually is stationed in the outfield, but that is not a requirement. The only requirement is that the player must be stationed in fair territory. The only player who is allowed to line up in foul territory is the catcher. All players in the field may bat. However, the coach may choose to use a designated hitter to bat for one of the fielders. The designated hitter does not have to bat for the pitcher.
Pitching
All pitchers must deliver the ball from the pitching rubber. The pitcher may use the windmill style to deliver the ball, but the pitcher may only step directly towards home plate when delivering the ball. The pitcher may not step backwards nor is she allowed to step to either side when pitching. That would be considered "deceptive," and all pitches branded as deceptive are illegal. Pitchers may not continue with their windup or motion after they have let go of the ball. That is also considered deceptive and that makes it illegal.
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