Softball is a popular game that is similar in many ways to baseball, and tends to attract more female players and co-ed play than baseball. In softball, there are different types of pitching rules, namely fast pitch and slow pitch, both of which heavily influence the game. Slow pitch is the preferred method in recreational softball leagues, and leads to higher scoring games.
Pitching
Fast pitch softball rules dictate that pitchers must begin their motion with both feet on the rubber pitching mound. Pitchers must show the ball to a batter before the delivery, and are not permitted to take a follow-through step off their back foot after releasing the ball. All pitches must be thrown underhand. Slow pitch softball uses the above rules but applies additional conditions: a pitch must arc at least three feet between the release and home plate, and an umpire will call a ball for a slow pitch deemed to be of excessive speed.
Players
A softball team has nine players, including the pitcher and catcher. The infield consists of defenders on first, second and third base, as well as a shortstop. Three outfielders are placed in left, right and center field. The nine players bat in a designated order, one through nine, with any substitutes batting in the spot of the player they replace.
Field
A typical pitcher's mound is located 50 feet for home plate. The bases are located in a diamond shape, with the pitcher's mound in the center. The distance between each base is 65 feet. Two foul lines stretch to and beyond fist and third base, beginning on both sides of the batter's box. Softball rules dictate that any ball outside of these lines is declared foul. Different softball fields have varying walls that indicate a home run should a ball clear it. Walls are clearly marked and visible to all softball players. A ball that hits the wall and comes back in play is not a home run, and play continues.
Strikes and Balls
The strike zone is from the knee to the shoulder of the batter, and goes as wide as a normal swing. The strike zone is called at the discretion of the softball umpire. Any pitch outside of the strike zone is declared a ball. If four balls are thrown, the batter is allowed to walk to first base; if three strikes are thrown, the batter is called out.
Scoring
Every ball that is batted into fair play requires a batter to run the bases. The batter is allowed to run as many bases as possible without the fielders beating her to the point with the ball. If a batter reaches home base, a run is scored for her team. If a batter hits a home run, every batter currently on base is allowed to run to home plate, with a run scored for every batter to cross home plate.
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