Baseball and softball share core rules and regulations. Both sports have a pitcher, catcher and a batter on the field simultaneously. The object of both sports is to advance runners along the basepaths to score runs at home plate. However, a baseball game is typically nine innings whereas a softball game is usually seven. Baseball and softball feature other major differences that make them completely different sports.
Pitchers
One of the fundamental differences between baseball and softball is pitching. Baseball pitchers pitch from an elevated mound with an overhand motion. Softball pitchers deliver the ball from a circle that is not elevated and with an underhand motion. This underhand throw occurs when the pitcher throws the ball toward home plate in a quick circular motion. Also, the pitching rubber is 50 feet from home plate in the United States Specialty Sports Association fast-pitch rules whereas Major League Baseball rules indicate the pitcher's rubber is 60 feet, 6 inches from home plate.
Field Dimensions
The dimensions of the field are also quite different. There is 90 feet between each base on a Major League Baseball field. A USSSA regulation softball field has only 65 feet between the bases. Another major difference is the distance from home plate to second base. An MLB catcher has a much further throw than a softball catcher to throw out a runner. MLB rules indicate 127 feet and 3 3/8 inches between home plate and second base.Softball rules have the plate located 91 feet, 11 inches from second base. A third major difference in the playing fields is the distance from home plate to the outfield fence. The minimum distance from home plate to center field is 225 feet. The MLB website points out that 400 feet of distance from home plate to center field is desirable among most major league parks. In addition, a softball team has an extra fielder when on defense. Baseball teams have six players in the infield and three in the outfield. Softball has the same number of infielders but puts an extra player in left center field.
Bats
Other than the baseball and softball being different, the bats used in each sport are quite dissimilar. The MLB requires its players to only use wood bats. College and high school baseball players can use aluminum bats. Softball bats can me made from wood, aluminum, composite, fiberglass or graphite. The USSSA rules show that bats can not be longer than 34 inches. Also, softball bats cannot have a diameter of more than 2 1/4 inches at their widest point. MLB bats can not have a diameter of more than 2 3/4 inches and can not exceed 42 inches in length. The MLB also allows its players to place various substances on the bat's handle to improve grip. However, if any substance is placed more than 18 inches up the bat's handle from the knob that bat is deemed illegal by league rules.
Similarities
Baseball and softball rely on run scoring to determine a winner. Runs are scored in both sports by touching all the bases during the inning and reaching home plate. Home runs are also determined in baseball and softball by hitting the ball over the outfield fence in fair territory. There is also a plate umpire present in both sports that determines balls and strikes. Baseball and softball allow a base on balls if four balls are called on a batter.
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