Softball Rules

Softball field is smaller than baseball field

Equipment used is different

Softball ball is bigger

Softball gloves are bigger in length

** Softball and baseball bats vary in weight and length

Score more runs than the opposing team

To score a run, a player must hit the ball between the foul lines and run across the three bases and back home

The pitchers job is to get the batter out by throwing into the strikezone

This is an imaginary box that's the width of home plate and roughly betwen the batters midchest and knees

If the pitcher throws the ball through this area - Its a strike (called by umpire)

If the batter swings and misses any ball, its also a strike

Ball- A pitch outside this area is called a "ball".

4 balls- Walk to 1st base

3 strikes- You're out!

Thrown/Forced out- Ball beats the batter to the base

Tagged Out- Runner is tagged while running between bases

Fly Out-If they hit the ball and the ball is caught in the air by the opposing team

Once both teams have batted, this is known as an inning.

The game is played over 7 innings

There are no ties in softball, so if the score is tied after 7 innings, extra innings will be played to determine a winner

Home Run: Ball hit out of the park= all baserunners score

Stealing Bases: occurs when a baserunner advances by taking a base to which he/she isn't entitled

Tagging up: Fly ball caught; baserunner starts from a base and advances to the next base on the catch at his/her own risk of being thrown out

Double play: Two outs with one play of the baseball