The development of the International Professional Women's Softball League in 1965 marks the date women's softball became an international game, but no professional league currently exists. The National Collegiate Athletic Association governs play for women's softball at the collegiate level. The Amateur Softball Association has more than 4 million members and offers teams for men and women. Learn the rules for foul balls in softball before you play the game.
Foul Ball
A foul ball is a legally batted ball, although bat-ball contact need not be intentional. If the ball hits the foul pole or bounces on the foul line it is considered fair. The first two fouls hit by a batter are called as strikes and any subsequent fouls are not applied to the strikes-balls count.
Foul Lines
The foul lines indicate the division of the softball field into fair and foul territory. These lines extend from home plate to the foul poles that intersect the home run fence. If the ball rolls past first or third base while on or in foul territory, the ball is foul. If the ball hits the ground first or is touched in-bounds by a defensive player, it's a fair ball.
Touches the Batter
A ball is considered foul -- after it has been legally batted -- if it touches the batter, the dirt in the batter's box or home plate and then hits the batter while she is within the lines of the batter's box.
Hits the Bat a Second Time
If after the ball is legally batted it touches the bat again, it is considered a foul ball. Should the ball touch the dirt or home plate and then hit the bat again, it's also a foul. Both these foul ball scenarios are predicated on the batter being in possession of the bat and being positioned inside the batter's box.
Foul Tip
A foul tip is a type of foul ball that travels directly from the bat and into the catcher's mitt. A foul tip is considered a strike and the ball is considered live. If the ball comes off the bat and hits the catcher's body or equipment -- other than her mitt or hands -- the ball is foul and dead.
Protests
Softball teams are permitted to protest if the officials fail to apply correct foul ball rules, such as considering a foul tip a dead ball. However, a protest based on the accuracy of the judgment of an umpire is not permitted.
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