Competitive softball is played at the youth, high school, college and professional levels. The games are often low scoring because pitchers tend to dominate with an array of pitches that include the drop, riser, curve, change-of-pace and fastball. Softball rules require the pitcher to be straightforward in her delivery and not do anything deceptive when she releases the ball.
Pitching
The pitcher cannot step into the pitcher's circle and put her feet on the pitching rubber until she has the ball. Once she steps on the rubber, the only move the pitcher can make is straight toward the batter. The pitcher may make one revolution with her pitching arm when using the windmill style, but may not go around more than once. If the pitcher makes a second revolution, that is considered to be an illegal pitch because it is designed to trick the batter.
Stealing
Stealing is legal in competitive softball. The baserunner may take a lead and the pitcher has the opportunity to throw to the base in order to keep the runner close. On a steal, the baserunner cannot overslide the base. A runner who overslides the base after stealing can be tagged out even if she beat the original throw to the base.
Playing Field
The softball field shall have a pitching rubber that is 46 feet from home plate. The bases in competitive softball are 60 feet apart. Fields that have fences should have a warning track that is between 12 and 15 feet wide. A ball that hits the warning track or any part of the outfield and then bounces over the fence is considered a ground-rule double. Fences are not required, but if the softball field does have a fence it should be at least 200 feet from home plate.
Designated Player
All competitive softball leagues allow the coach to use a designated hitter to bat for one of the fielders in the lineup. The designated hitter does not have to bat for the pitcher, as is the case in professional baseball. The designated hitter can be used in place of the weakest hitter, but the coach does not have to use a designated hitter if she wants all of her fielders to bat. However, if the coach does not use a designated hitter at the start of the game, she cannot bring her in during a later inning.
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