Guide to Softball Rules and Basics
History
Softball was created by George Hancock in Chicago in 1887. The game originated as an
indoor variation of baseball and was eventually converted to an outdoor game. The
popularity of softball has grown considerably, both at the recreational and competitive
levels. In fact, not only is women’s fast pitch softball a popular high school and college
sport, it was recognized as an Olympic sport in 1996.
Object of the Game
To score more runs than the opposing team. The team with the most runs at the end of
the game wins.
Offense & Defense
The primary objective of the offense is to score runs and avoid outs. The primary
objective of the defense is to prevent runs and create outs.
Offensive strategy
A run is scored every time a base runner touches all four bases, in the sequence of 1st,
2nd, 3rd, and home. To score a run, a batter must hit the ball into play and then run to
circle the bases, counterclockwise. On offense, each time a player is at-bat, she
attempts to get on base via hit or walk. A hit occurs when she hits the ball into the field
of play and reaches 1st base before the defense throws the ball to the base, or gets an
extra base (2nd, 3rd, or home) before being tagged out. A walk occurs when the
pitcher throws four balls. It is rare that a hitter can round all the bases during her own
at-bat; therefore, her strategy is often to get “on base” and advance during the next
at-bat.
Defensive strategy
On defense, each time a player is at-bat, the pitcher has an opportunity to get her out
by throwing three strikes, called a strikeout. If the batter hits a pitch, the defense has
many ways to get the batter out. The defense can create a force out by throwing the
ball to 1st base before the batter can reach the base, tag out by tagging the base
runner while she is not standing on a base, or fly-out by catching the ball in the air
before it has touched the ground. Once the defense creates three outs, it switches to be
on offense.
Base running
The ultimate goal for base runners is to reach home plate and score a run. They
attempt to avoid getting “out” by following the rules of the game. Runners are safe as
long as they touch a base, and only one runner is allowed on a base at a time. If a
runner is on 1st base and the batter hits the ball into play, the base runner is “forced”
to run to 2nd base because the batter is attempting to occupy 1st base. In this
scenario, a fielder can throw to 2nd base to get a force out.
However if there is a runner on 2nd base and no runner on 1st base, the runner may
remain on 2nd base when the ball is hit into play because she is not “forced” to
advance—there is room for the batter to occupy 1st base and the base runner to
occupy 2nd base. More advanced base running strategies include: stealing, tagging up,
and hit-and-run.
Major differences from baseball:
Fast pitch softball is similar to baseball; however, there are notable differences. For
example, the pitch is delivered underhand, the ball is larger, the field is smaller, and
base runners cannot leave a base until the pitcher releases the pitch.
Common Umpire Signals
Several referees, called umpires, govern the game to ensure fair and safe play.
Umpires use hand gestures and verbal calls to signal their rulings on the field. The two
most important signals in softball are safe and out. A player is safe when she reaches a
base before being thrown out during a force out (tie goes to the runner) or avoids being
tagged out. The umpire crosses her arms parallel to the ground and then extends both
arms out to the sides to signal safe. An out is called when a player strikes out, is
tagged out, or is thrown out for a force out. The umpire makes a fist and motions as if
to punch the air to signal an out. The umpire stationed behind home plate will call each
pitch a ball or a strike. The umpire verbally calls “ball” for a ball and a combination of
calling “strike” and using the same signal for out (fist and punching motion) for a strike.
Umpires also signal for hit balls that are close to being fair or foul. The umpire points in
the direction of foul ground for a foul ball and in the direction of fair ground for a fair
ball.
Equipment
Equipment differs for offensive and defensive positions. On offense, batters have a
wooden or aluminum bat, batting gloves for grip, and batting helmets for protection. On
defense, fielders use a leather glove. The catcher has special protective equipment,
including a face mask, chest protector, and shin/leg guards. All players wear shoes with
cleats. The uniform consists of a jersey; pants, shorts, or skirt; and a baseball cap,
visor, or headband.
Field of Play
Softball is played on a large grass and dirt field. The field includes fair territory inside
the two foul lines and foul territory outside the foul lines. Softball fields have some
common characteristics:
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Bases: A softball “diamond” consists of four bases placed in a square. The bases
are 1st base, 2nd base, 3rd base, and home plate.
Infield: The area around the four bases, the surface of which is generally grass and
packed dirt.
Outfield: The grassy area beyond the infield.
Foul lines: Two lines (first and third base line) that distinguish fair territory from
foul territory. A ball that hits the foul line is called fair.
Foul poles: Poles stationed at the end of each foul line to distinguish fair territory
from foul territory for balls hit over the outfield fence. A ball that hits the foul pole is
a home run.
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Pitcher’s mound: The raised area in the middle of the diamond from which the
pitcher throws the ball.
Batter’s box: Box marked with chalk near home plate that a batter must stay
within while batting.
Positions
Two teams compete in each softball game. Nine players man the field, while nine
batters hit in a predetermined order for each team, know as the “batting order” or
“lineup.” The players who have defensive positions, often called “fielders,” are the same
ones that bat during the other half of the inning. The nine defensive positions can be
grouped into two general categories: infielders and outfielders.
Infielders
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Pitcher: Pitches the ball from the pitcher’s mound to the catcher.
Catcher: Crouches behind home plate and receives pitches thrown by the pitcher.
Also receives throws from fielders attempting to make outs at home plate.
First baseman: “Fields,” or defends, balls hit near the 1st base line. Receives
throws from fielders attempting to make outs at 1st base.
Second baseman: Fields balls hit near 2nd base. Receives throws from fielders
attempting to make outs at 2nd base. Often involved in a double-play.
Third baseman: Fields balls hit near the 3rd base line. Receives throws from other
fielders attempting to make outs at 3rd base.
Shortstop: Fields balls hit between the second baseman and third baseman. Covers
2nd base when the ball is hit to the second baseman.
Outfielders: Three outfielders — left fielder, center fielder and right fielder — attempt
to catch balls hit into their portion of the outfield. Balls hit to the outfield are generally
ground balls or fly balls hit past the infield.
Other: Some teams also use a designated player that bats for one fielder and does not
play a position on the field. Other positions include substitute players who may be
introduced, called “pinch hitters” who replace a batter, or “pinch runners” who replace a
base runner. Once a player has been substituted, she may not return.
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Glossary
At-bat: A player’s turn batting while her team is on offense.
Ball: Pitch that travels outside the strike zone that the hitter does not swing at. Four
balls result in a walk.
Base on balls: Also referred to as a walk, this occurs when a batter is awarded first
base because she has taken four pitches out of the strike zone. The pitcher may
intentionally issue a base on balls for strategic purposes, such as to set up a force play
or to face a less dangerous batter.
Batter's box: The space to which a batter is confined while up to bat. There is a
batter's box on each side of the plate; each box is 7 feet long and 3 feet wide. The lines
that outline the area are considered part of the batter's box.
Batting order: The official order in which offensive players must hit. Once submitted,
the order cannot change, though players can be replaced.
Bunt: A soft hit produced by holding the bat in a stationary position over home plate.
Often used to advance a base runner.
Catcher's box: The area behind home plate, measuring 10 feet long and 8 1/2 feet
wide, where the catcher must remain until after the pitch is released.
Changeup: A slower, "off-speed" pitch used to establish variety and to confuse a
batter expected to be looking for a faster pitch.
Curve ball: A pitch that is given spin causing it to move either toward or away from a
batter, depending on whether the pitcher and batter are right- or left-handed.
Count: Term used to describe a batter’s balls and strikes during an at-bat. The number
of balls is first, followed by the number of strikes. “Three and two” is three balls and
two strikes.
Double play: A play in which the defense records two outs.
Drop ball: The opposite of a rise ball, this pitch has over-spin that causes it do "drop,"
or move from high to low as it approaches the batter.
Error: Charged to a defensive player for mistakes that should have resulted in an out.
Ejection: When an umpire orders a player, coach or any other representative of a team
to leave the game or premises because of a blatant or repeated violation of the rules,
or because of an unsportsmanlike act.
Fair ball: A batted ball is considered fair if it lands anywhere in fair territory or is
touched by a fielder or runner anywhere in fair territory, unless it rolls or bounces into
foul territory prior to reaching first or third base and is touched by a fielder or runner
before re-entering fair territory. A ball that bounces on, over or inside first or third base
is considered fair, even if it proceeds into foul territory beyond the base. A ball that hits
the outfield foul pole on the fly is fair.
Fair Territory: A ball that, when hit, lands between the two foul lines and stays in
bounds past first or third base. A home run is also a fair ball.
Fly ball: Ball hit with a high, arcing trajectory.
Fly-out: If a ball is caught by one of the nine fielders before it bounces, the batter is
out. Base runners must tag-up during a fly-out.
Force out: After a batter hits the ball, she must advance to 1st base. The defense can
get her out by throwing the fielded ball to 1st base before the runner reaches the base.
Additionally, other base runners must advance if they are forced by a base runner
behind them.
Foul: Ball hit outside the two foul lines. Results in a strike. When a batter hits a foul
ball with two strikes, the count remains the same and at bat continues, because a foul
cannot cause a strikeout. A “foul tip” is a foul ball hit directly behind the batter.
Foul tip: A batted ball that goes directly from the bat to the catcher's hands and does
not rise higher than the batter's head. If a foul tip occurs after two strikes, it is
considered the third strike.
Ground ball: Ball hit with a low trajectory that bounces on the ground in the infield.
Ground-rule double: A ball that bounces in fair territory and travels over the outfield
fence. The batter is awarded 2nd base, and all other runners on base advance two
bases.
Hit: A batted ball that allows a batter to safely reach base. A single (advances to 1st
base), double (advances to 2nd base), triple (advances to 3rd base), and home run are
all types of hits. A ball’s trajectory is usually a ground ball, line drive, or fly ball.
Hit and run: Base runner advances to the next base when the pitch is released,
knowing that the batter is swinging at the pitch.
Home run: Fair ball hit over the outfield fence between the two foul poles. Batter and
any runners on base are awarded home plate and each scores a run.
Infield fly rule: If a team is batting with less than two outs and has runners on first
and second, or the bases are loaded, the infield fly rule is applied if a ball is hit into the
air -- excluding line drives and bunts -- and could be caught by an infielder with
ordinary effort. In this case, if the ball is fair, the batter is automatically out. An infield
fly is consider "alive," so runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught.
Inning: The portion of a game within which the teams alternate on offense and
defense, and where there are three outs for each team. A new inning begins
immediately after the final out of the previous inning.
Interference: When an offensive player prevents a defensive player from executing a
play.
Line drive: Ball hit with a trajectory almost parallel to the ground.
Live- or dead-ball appeal is a special situation where an umpire does not make a
decision unless requested by the defensive team. A common example involves runners
tagging up to advance on fly-ball outs. An appeal must be made before the next pitch is
thrown, and cannot be made after the defensive players and pitcher have left the fair
territory, or after the umpire crew has left the field following the last play of the game.
Obstruction: Is the act of a fielder not in possession of the ball or in the act of fielding
a batted ball that impedes the progress of a base runner or runner legally running the
bases.
Out: The defense must create three “outs,” by strikeout, force-out, fly-out, or tag-out,
before it can switch to offense.
Passed ball: A pitch that should have been caught by the catcher but was not.
Pitcher's circle: A circular area drawn onto the field, with a radius of 8 feet from the
pitching rubber.
Rise ball: A pitch that spins backwards and has a tendency to rise as it approaches the
batter.
Run: Scored when an offensive player safely tags home plate.
Sacrifice: A batter strategically hits the ball into an out situation to advance or score a
runner. Usually a “sacrifice bunt” or “sacrifice fly.”
Safe: Called when a base runner reaches a base without getting tagged out or avoids a
force out.
Stolen base: A play during which a runner advances a base when the pitcher releases
the pitch.
Strike: A ball that a batter swings at and misses, hits foul, or fails to swing at that
crosses the strike zone. A batter strikes out after three strikes.
Strike out: Occurs during an at-bat when a batter accumulates three strikes, at which
point the at-bat ends and the player is called out.
Strike zone: A space directly over home plate between the batter's armpits and the
top of her knees, when the batter assumes her natural
batting stance.
Tag out: A base runner that is not on a base when she is tagged by a player with the
ball is out.
Tag up: A player waits for a fly ball to be caught before advancing to the next base or
else the defense can throw the ball to the base that the runner was on before she can
return to it and record another out. However, the runner may advance to the next base
as soon as the fielder touches the fly ball, even if it is bobbled, then caught. The
runner may not be called out if the ball is thrown back to the base where the runner
was on.
Triple play: A play during which the defense records three outs.
Walk: Four balls from a pitcher results in the batter receiving a “walk,” and the batter
automatically advances to 1st base. Players on successive bases who are “forced” to
advance may move to the next base. Also called “base on balls.”
Wild pitch: A pitched ball that cannot be caught by the catcher with ordinary effort.