Complete Rules of Softball: Useful Information for Beginners

Many people wonder what softball is and how it is necessary to play it. Some people state it has not deserved to be a separate kind of sport even despite the fact that it obtained this title in 1920. In general, softball is a baseball variation that is suitable for men, women, and even children. It should be mentioned that this kind of sport is extremely requested among women because it is almost impossible to gets injured while playing in softball. Softball can also serve as a general activity to improve personal physical abilities. In addition, the given kind of sport can be a good way of training for those who want to start playing baseball. Considering the fact that playing baseball is quite difficult for unprepared athletes, they should train their stamina, flexibility, and dexterity in advance to perform good, and softball is the best variant for this. Thus, the given article is going to present the most important information on softball and its peculiarities.

Softball vs. Baseball

As it has already been mentioned, there is a particular relation between baseball and softball. To explain, there are both similarities and differences between the two. So, softball used to be an indoor game. The shots were not very strong, which sent the ball for much shorter distances.

The similarities between the given kinds of sport are in external factors. They refer to the names of players’ positions, equipment, and general game principles.

The differences, in their turn, arise when we take a closer look at the compared kinds of sport. Thus, the differences are represented by the following phenomena:

• softball uses a softer ball;
• a softball bat is wider but a bit shorter;
• a smaller field is used in softball;
• a softball match lasts for seven innings instead of nine in baseball.

General Rules

So, a softball match lasts for 7 equal innings that are the same as football halves and hockey periods. At first, an away team should deal with batting; after that, they are substituted by a home team. One and the same batter is performing his functions on the playing field until there happen three misses in the glove, a pitcher misses with the strike area or until the opponent’s out. A defensive side is trying to precisely hit the ball and run around the field as fast as it possible before the ball is returned back. When they manage to cope with the given task, the given team gets one point.

A softball match ends when all the seven innings are played. After that, all the scored points are summarized to determine a winning side. In case if both sides have managed to score the same number of points, an extra inning should be played until a side manages to score a point. It is very interesting that there have occurred no more than 10 matches with such an extra inning over the whole softball history.

Way of Playing

To understand completely what softball is, it is necessary to know a few peculiarities. For example, there are strict positions in softball. To explain, athletes should leave their positions on the field under no pretext; this can result in an overall loss for the whole team. The exception arises when a coach gives a corresponding order to one of his players.

Equipment

Softball players should pay great attention to their personal appearance during a match. Although it has been stated that softball is not a high-injury sport, it is still necessary to always remember about the necessity to protect the head, hands, and legs. In some cases, it is also necessary to cover the chest with a particular piece of equipment.

A standard softball uniform consists of the following elements:

• gloves;
• a bat;
• a helmet’
• footwear.

The glove should be on the left hand; it is recommended to well stretch this piece of equipment prior to a match; otherwise, the ball will twist out from it. Every player should have its own bat considering his height, weight, and arms’ length. It is necessary to use any helmet; the only requirement is that it should not create any vision obstacles. As for the footwear, it should have either rubber or plastic soles.

As for the softball ball, it should be 30.5 cm in diameter. In addition, there should be red ropes in its stitches.

History

The given kind of sport appeared in 1887. At first, it was known as mushball or kittenball. The modern name was created in the 1920s. In 1965, the International Softball Federation (ISF) was established that united 122 national federations in 2001. There are a few international softball competitions held all over the globe. The first women’s World Championships took place in 1965, the men’s one – in 1966. Softball even used to be an official part of the Summer Olympic Games from 1996 until 2008.