Softball is a highly competitive sport played at the high school, college and professional level by women throughout the United States. The game features pitchers who can throw the ball at speeds of 70 mph or more, which is the equivalent of a baseball pitcher who throws the ball at better than than 90 mph.
Number of Players
Competitive softball is played with 10 players in the field and 10 players in the lineup. The extra fielder is usually placed in the outfield, but that is up to the coach of the team. The rules require the extra fielder must be in fair territory. There are times when the extra fielder will be used in the infield behind second base or in short center field. The lineup must include 10 batters. The coach may choose to use a designated hitter for any of the batters in the lineup. The designated hitter does not have to be used to bat for the pitcher, as is the case in baseball. The coach can choose to bat all of the fielders and eschew the designated hitter. However, if a team chooses not to use the designated hitter at the start of the game, it may not choose to use it later on in the game.
Regulation Field
The Amateur Softball Association of America lists the guidelines for a regulation softball field. The pitching rubber is 46 feet from home plate, and all pitchers must begin the pitching motion from the pitching rubber. All bases are 60 feet apart. Outfield fences are not required, but if they are present, they should be a minimum of 200 feet from home plate.
Pitching Regulations
Pitchers may not make any deceptive movement when on the mound. This means that when the pitcher begins her motion, she may only step forward on the mound. She may not step backward or to the side when delivering the pitch. The pitcher may use a windmill windup to deliver the ball. She may make one complete revolution with her arm but may not make more than that. She may not make an additional movement with her arm after letting the ball go. The pitcher's arm must stop at shoulder level after the ball has been released.
Protective Equipment
All players must wear protective equipment when they come to bat. All batters must have hard plastic helmets at the plate and on the base paths. The helmet must have ear flaps that cover both ears. The helmet must be in place as the hitter comes into the on-deck circle. Protective facemasks are not required, but they are allowed. A catcher must wear a mask, chest protector and shin guards before taking the field.
Game Length
All games shall be seven innings long. If the home team is ahead after the visiting team has batted in the top of the seventh inning, the home team does not have to bat. In fast-pitch softball, a game is considered official after five innings. If weather or darkness prevents a game from going past the fifth inning, it shall be considered complete. If a game has to be stopped before the fifth inning, it shall be continued from the point it stopped at a later date. If the game is tied at the end of seven innings, extra innings will be played until the tie is broken.
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