Softball Rules: A Player’s Handbook
Knowing the rules of softball will make you a better player. After you learn the rules, you can incorporate your offensive and defensive strategies around some of the nuances of them. Below is a complete explanation of the rules of softball.
Scoring in Softball
Softball scoring is like scoring for baseball. A team scores when a runner crosses all 4 bases. When the last base, called home plate, is touched by the batter, it counts as a point. The team that has the most points, or runs, at the end of the game is the winner. A run is what it’s called when a runner touches home plate. A home run is when a batter either hits the softball out of the park or they’re able to make it to home plate after hitting the ball into the field.
Mechanics of Play
In softball, each team has 9 players. The team that’s on defense is in the field. The team that’s on offense is batting. The defensive team has a pitcher who throws the softball to the batter from the pitcher’s mound, which is 43 feet away from home plate in college softball. The batter is the player at home plate facing the pitcher whose job is to get the batter out. They can do that by getting 3 strikes on a batter. A strike is when a player swings and misses, or they let a pitch go across the plate in the zone. The zone is an imaginary box that requires batters to swing at the ball when it’s in the box. Another way to get the batter out is to make them hit a fly ball that‘s caught by one of their fielders. The fourth way is when the batter grounds out. That means a fielder throws the ball to the base the runner is going to before the runner gets there. The batting team stays up until 3 outs are recorded. Below are some other rules and specifications:
Playing Area: A field is made up of a pitching rubber, 4 bases, and an infield and outfield. The rubber is 4 inches wide and 24 inches long. The pitcher pushes off the rubber with their back foot before throwing a softball.
Starting Play: The visiting team bats first while the home team is in the field. The visiting team bats in the top of each inning while the home team bats in the bottom of the inning. The home team gets the last at bat.
Length: A softball game is 7 innings long. If the teams tie, they play extra innings. If the home team scores first in extra innings, the game ends. If the visiting team scores first, the home team gets another at bat to try to tie or win the game.
Positions: These are the 9 positions in softball:
Catcher: Behind the plate fielding pitches from the pitcher.
Pitcher: The player that delivers the ball to the plate.
First Baseman, second baseman, and third baseman: Three players that cover the infield. They’re stationed at their respective bases.
Shortstop: A fourth infielder who’s positioned between second and third base.
Outfielders: The right fielder, center fielder, and left fielder cover the outfield positions.
Batter’s Box: There’s a box around home plate that’s 3 feet by 7 feet. The batter either lines up on the left side or the right side of the plate. The batter stands over the plate waiting for the pitch to arrive. The batter can either swing at the pitch or take it. Taking a pitch means you don’t swing at it.
Ball: A ball is a pitch that’s thrown out of the strike zone.
Walk: A walk is when a batter has four balls thrown to them. A walk allows a batter to walk to first base.
Hit by Pitch: A runner is awarded first base if the softball hits them when they’re at the plate.
Error: An error is when a fielder misplays a ball in play and allows the batter to reach base.
Foul Ball: A foul ball is a ball that’s hit out of the field of play. If a fielder catches a fly ball out of play, it counts as an out.
Runner: A batter becomes a runner when they hit the ball into the field of play, if they’re walked, hit by a pitch, or reach on an error.
Steal: A steal is when a runner advances a base while the pitcher is throwing to the catcher.
Caught Stealing: Caught stealing is when a runner is thrown out by the catcher when they try to advance a base.
Softball Equipment & Apparel
Quality equipment and clothes can help you feel better and improve your performance. Below are some items you should have for your softball experience.
Gloves: Every player needs their own glove. A good glove should be durable and comfortable. It’s important to find one that “feels” good for you.
Bats: Most players have their own bats. Weight, handle thickness and length are important elements to consider.
Cleats: A good pair of cleats should provide traction and stability. They should also be comfortable.
Pants: Softball pants should be stretchy, durable and comfortable.
Softball Hitting Strategies
One difference offensively between baseball and softball is the approach at the plate. Baseball relies on big hits like HRs. Softball is about getting players on base and moving them to home plate. Softball players rarely hit homers. Because baseball is 2 innings longer than softball, their scores are usually higher. This means there’s more urgency to score in softball. Below are some hitting terms for softball:
Slap Hitter: This is when a hitter swings down on the softball, so it travels on the ground. The purpose of hitting it on the ground is to try to place it in a spot where the ball can’t be fielded. Batters are able to run to first base before a fielder can throw it there. This style is effective for left-handed batters, who are closer to first base when they’re at the plate. In baseball, players try to hit with the bat on plane with the ball or swing up on the ball. Hitters do this to try to drive the ball to the outfield.
Soft Slot: This is a chopping technique where hitters try to hit down softly on the top of the ball. This can create a spinning hit that can be difficult to field.
Power Slot: That’s the position in your batting order where you have your best hitter. They can usually hit for power, which means they’ll try to drive the ball as far as they can.
Bunt: This is when a player sticks their bat out to make contact with the softball. This deadens the ball. Batters do this often to advance a runner on base. Batters rarely attempt bunts in baseball.
Knowing the rules of softball will inform your play and help you improve. That’s why it’s important to study them and make the rules work for you when you play.