While similar in many ways to baseball, softball has its own unique set of rules and guidelines. The exact set of rules governing a softball game will depend largely on the age, gender and skill level of the competitors. Softball may be either slow pitch, requiring a high-arcing toss toward the plate, or fast pitch, employing a dramatic windmill delivery and forceful pitches toward the batter. Regardless of league style, softball tends to have a few standard rules across the board.
Field
A standard softball field features 60 feet distance from base to base as opposed to the 90-foot distance employed in baseball. The softball pitching rubber sits 46 feet from home plate, making it 14 feet, six inches closer than the baseball pitching rubber. In fast pitch softball, a circle with an eight-foot radius must also ring the pitching rubber. Average softball fields often feature outfield fences from 150 to 225 feet away from home plate.
Game Length
Most softball leagues, whether slow pitch or fast pitch, play seven-inning games. Some leagues may institute mercy rules to ensure competitive balance. For instance, if one team takes a 15-run lead in the first three innings or a 10-run lead after the third inning, the umpire calls the game in favor of the leading team.
Pitching
In fast pitch softball, pitchers must keep their pivot foot in contact with the pitching rubber while pushing off to deliver an underhand delivery to the plate. Rules prohibit the pitcher from "crow hopping," or removing the pivot foot from the rubber and replanting the foot before throwing the pitch. In slow pitch softball, the pitcher must take only one step toward the plate and deliver an underarm pitch with between six and 12 feet of arc. Umpires consider any pitch not meeting the arc requirements to be illegal, resulting in a called ball.
Base Running
Slow pitch softball rules prohibit base stealing. Runners must remain in contact with the base until the batter hits the ball or the ball crosses home plate. Fast pitch softball allows base stealing, but the runner may not leave the base until the pitcher releases the ball. A runner must also immediately return to her base once the pitcher has the ball within the designated pitching circle.
Lineups
Fast pitch softball employs the same nine position players as baseball. However, slow pitch softball rules allow for a 10th player. This extra fielder patrols the outfield, dividing the traditional center field position into left center field and right center field. Some fast pitch leagues, though, do use a Designated Player (DP), who may bat for any designated defensive player.
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