One of the seven ways you can reach base in both baseball and softball is through a rule called "catcher interference." It happens when you, as the batter, hit the glove of the catcher during the main part of the swing. When this happens, you are awarded first base, regardless of what had previously happened in the at bat.
The Catching Position
Where a catcher receives the pitch is a very important position defensively in softball, as the catcher helps control the base runners and is primarily responsible for picking off base runners. In softball, a runner can't leave his base until the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. So it's a natural tendency for the catcher to stretch the glove arm as far as possible so the pitch gets to her quicker.
Catcher's Box
When you look at home plate you will see a batter's box on either side, with another box behind home plate. This last is the catcher's box, inside which the catcher is supposed to stay until the pitch is delivered. Part of the reasoning for this is to prevent catcher interference.
Differences in Fast Pitch and Slow Pitch
Catcher interference is rarely an issue in slow pitch softball, as many slow pitch leagues do not allow you to steal bases. In fact, many softball leagues have what is called a "strike mat," which means the pitch has to land on the mat, located just behind home plate, to be a called strike. Because of this, the catcher does not usually catch the pitch, but collects it after it hits the ground. The slow pitch catcher is usually much further behind home plate than his fast pitch counterpart.
Exceptions
Watching a softball game, you'll see the catcher interference rule usually counts on the "front swing," or when the bat is going through the strike zone. There are times a catcher will be inadvertently hit -- either on the shoulder or the head -- with the bat during the backswing. This, while painful for the catcher, is not a violation and is one of myriad reasons why catchers wear helmets in the field. As a batter, you would not receive a free base for this.
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