What is Softball? Rules of Playing Softball.

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 What is Softball? Rules of Playing Softball.

Softball:

"The object of the game is for your team to score more runs than the opposing team".




Softball is a game same as baseball played with a larger ball on a field that has base lengths of 60 feet, a pitcher's mound that ranges from 35 to 43 feet away from home plate, and a home run fence that is 220–300 feet away from home plate, depending on the type of softball that played.



Rules of Playing Softball:

Softball is a variation of the game of Baseball, and the rules are very similar with some significant 
differences. Firstly, the field is generally a lot smaller. And the equipment used is also different. To score a run, a player must hit the ball between the foul lines and run across the three bases and back to home. 
A hit outside these lines is classed as a ‘foul ball’ and the batter is not allowed 
to run. The essence of the game is between the pitcher of one team against the batter of the other team. As mentioned before, the batter’s job is to hit the ball between the foul lines but 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 between the batters 
armpits and knees. 
In Baseball, the pitcher stands on a mound and throws the ball overarm. 
In Softball, the pitcher stands on a flat surface, and must throw a bigger softer ball, underarm. If the pitcher throws the ball through this area – it’s a strike. If the batter swings and misses any ball, it’s also a strike. If the batter hits the ball outside the foul lines, it can be a 1st or 2nd Strike. And obviously, three strikes means – you’re out! A pitch outside this area is called a ‘ball’. Four balls against a batter and they get to walk to first base. That sounds simple enough, but there are 3 other ways for a team to get you out. Firstly, if the batter hits the ball along the ground, the opposing team can throw the ball, to the base they’re running to. If the ball beats the batter to the base – they’re out.



A batter can be tagged out whilst running between the bases. If they hit the ball and the ball is caught in the air by the opposing team – they’re also out. Once three outs have been made, their half of the inning is over and the other team gets 
to bat. 
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 the winner. That’s basically it - but there’s a few other rules you’ll need to know before playing or watching Softball. 






For example:

Home Run:
 
If a batter hits the ball out of the park between the foul lines, the batter (and anyone standing on the bases) get to walk freely around the bases and back to home. All runs score.
Stealing bases:

To help move the batters along the bases, some players will try and make 
a run for the next base. This is a risky gamble, as the opposing team will be prepared for this, and will try and get you out. If the batter is caught out, they are ‘caught stealing’.

Tagging up:

If the ball is caught in the air: any players standing on the bases must start 
from that base before running for the next one.
Double play:

This is where the ball is hit in play and the defending team gets two outs, 
usually by way of throwing to one base, and then another. There are many other rules not discussed here, but as you watch or play Softball, the rules will become clear.

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