Softball Rules and Positions

Softball is a team sport in direct relation to the sport of baseball. It is hugely popular across the United States. There are two major differences between softball and baseball; in softball, the ball is pitched underhand, and in baseball, the ball is pitched overhand; and secondly, the ball used for softball is much larger than the ball used for baseball. Read more on the history of softball.

Softball Rules and Regulations
Softball rules and positions are very easy to understand. The game of softball is very similar to the game of baseball, hence there are a lot of similarities between softball rules and baseball rules. Read further on ASA softball rules.

Field of Play

• Similar to baseball, there are 9 players in each team. This number can actually vary between 9 and 12 (depending on the level of the league that the game is being played in), but in most cases there will be only 9 players on each side. Here are some famous softball players.
• The field of play is divided into two main parts - the infield and the outfield.
• The pitcher is required to pitch the ball from the pitchers mound which is located at the center of the diamond. (inside the infield area)
• When both teams have finished batting, it is known as an inning. In an official game there are a total of 7 innings.
• There are 4 bases, and the distance between each base is 60 feet. These 4 bases are diamond shaped and the area between the bases is known as the infield. The area outside the diamond area is the outfield area.

Rules of Batting

• The order in which the batters have been placed initially is the order in which they must bat throughout the 7 innings of the game.
• The batter will be out if there are 3 strikes against him. A pitch is counted as a strike if the batter misses the ball completely and the catcher positioned behind the batter catches the ball.
• A batter will also be deemed out if a high ball hit by him is caught by a player from the fielding team before it touches the ground (this is known as a fly ball).

Rules of Pitching

• Unlike baseball, the ball has to be pitched underhand in the sport of softball.
• Before pitching the ball, both the pitchers hands must be on the ball.
• The pitcher must keep both his feet firmly planted on the pitchers plate, and while pitching the ball, he must take one step forward.

Running Bases

• Each base must be touched by a base runner in the correct order.
• A base runner cannot pass another base runner who is in front of him. He must stay at least one base behind him at all times.
• The runner has to be on a base until the ball leaves the pitchers hand. Leading off the bases is not permitted under any circumstances.

Softball Positions
As mentioned earlier, there are 9 players on each side in the sport of softball. Softball rules and positions are very similar to those of baseball. The following is a list of the positions occupied by players in the sport of softball.

• Pitcher: The pitcher throws the softball from the pitchers mound to the catcher. The pitchers mound is located in the center of the diamond in the infield area. All the pitches made by the pitcher must be underhand throws. Here are some softball pitching tips.
• Catcher: He stands behind the batter and attempts to catch the balls thrown to him by the pitcher. He also attempts to catch the throws made by the fielders in order to get the base runner running towards the home plate out.
• Outfielders (Left, Right and Center): These are players positioned on the outfield area, that is outside the diamond area. Their job is to catch fly balls, ground balls and line drives.
• Shortstop: The shortstop is positioned between the second base and the third base. This players primary job is to field any balls that fall in this area.
• First Baseman: This player is positioned just beside first base and is assigned the task of fielding any balls that come in that area.
• Second Baseman: This player covers second base and is required to field any balls that come in that area.
• Third Baseman: This player is positioned just to the left of third base and covers that area. The job of basemen is to cover their bases and catch throws made by fielders to their assigned base, in order to get the base runners out.

Softball is a sport that is played by a large number of people across the United States. It was also an Olympic sport for women, but was dropped from the Olympic games in 1996. Anyone well versed with the workings of the sport of baseball will also be familiar with softball rules and regulations as well.