Slow pitch softball has rules that are designed to take excessive speed off pitches. Slow pitch softball is more batter friendly, and often the rules lead to higher-scoring games than fast pitch softball. Slow pitch softball is the preferred form of the game in most coed and recreational leagues. Pitching restrictions are the most distinctive factors of slow pitch softball, and differentiate the game from fast pitch softball and baseball.
Field
The slow pitch softball mound is typically located 50 feet from home plate. The mound includes a pitching rubber that the pitcher's feet must be touching prior to beginning the pitch delivery. A designated softball batter's box is located in front of home plate, with the bases in a diamond shape around the pitcher's mound. Softball bases are separated by 65 feet. The end of a softball field is signified by a clearly visible wall; the distance of the wall differs from field to field, and can be as far as 400 feet. Foul lines stretch in a straight line from first and third base to the wall. Balls inside the foul lines that clear the wall are home runs; balls that hit the wall and stay in play remain live.
Teams
Each team fields nine players. A fielder must defend each base, and the pitcher, short stop and outfielders make up the rest of a defensive team. No fielders are allowed inside the diamond before a delivery other than the pitcher. The nine players bat in order one through nine, with the order designated before a game. The batting rotation cannot switch, but substitutes can take the spot of the player they replace.
Pitching
A slow pitch softball pitcher must have both her feet on the pitching rubber prior to the delivery. The ball must be shown to the batter before the delivery, before the pitcher winds up and delivers using no more than one step. A pitch must arc at least three feet between the mound and home plate, and an umpire will call a ball for a pitch deemed to have excessive speed.
Strikes and Balls
The strike zone goes from a batter's knee to shoulder height, and extends as far wide as a normal swing. The umpire will call a ball for pitches outside the strike zone; four balls will allow the batter to walk to first base. A strike is called if a pitch is caught by the catcher and was deemed to be in the strike zone, or if a batter swings and misses at any pitch.
Scoring
A batter runs the bases after every live ball. To score a run, a batter must round all bases and return to home plate.
Outs
A batter is out if three strikes are called, or if a batted ball is caught by a fielder before hitting the ground. A batter is also out if a fielder touches the base holding the ball before she gets there while running the bases.
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