Softball

Softball Circumference

12 inches (30.5 cm)

Baseball Circumference

9 - 9.25 inches (23 - 23.5 cm)

Team Players

A team consists of ten players but may start with nine.

Substitutes in Softball

Players must report to the umpire before entering the game.

Substituting Rule

A substitute must take the place of the person they are replacing in the batting order.

Positions in Softball

1. Pitcher 2. Catcher 3. First baseman 4. Second baseman 5. Third baseman 6. Shortstop 7. Left fielder 8. Center fielder 9. Right fielder 10. Short center fielder (only for 16" softball)

Ball Definition

A legally pitched ball that does not enter the strike zone or touch the ground before home plate.

Blocked Ball

A ball touched by a person or object not engaged in the game after being batted or thrown beyond the field.

Dead Ball Definition

A ball not in play until the pitcher holds it in the pitching position and 'play ball' is called.

Double Definition

A two base hit.

Double Play Definition

A defensive play that results in two outs.

Error Definition

An avoidable misplay which the scorer believes could have been made.

Force Out Definition

Occurs when a base runner is forced to advance because of a fair ball.

Foul Ball Definition

A legally batted ball that settles in foul territory or rolls foul in the infield.

Foul Tip Definition

A foul ball going directly from the bat to the catcher's hands and caught.

Homerun Definition

When the batter legally touches all bases in order without stopping.

Infield Fly Rule Definition

A rule protecting the batting team; the batter is automatically called out on a catchable fly ball with runners on base.

Inning Definition

The portion of a game in which each team gets a turn at bat.

Overthrow Definition

A ball thrown beyond the intended fielder allowing base runners to advance.

Single Definition

A one base hit.

Strike Out Definition

A total of three strikes called on a batter during one at bat.

Triple Definition

A three base hit.

Walk Definition

A base on balls, awarded after four balls are pitched.

Established Batting Order

The batting order must be maintained throughout the game.

Batter is Out When

1. Three strikes are called. 2. Any fly ball is caught. 3. A third-strike foul tip is caught. 4. The batter is hit by their own batted ball in fair territory. 5. The batter steps out of the box while hitting. 6. Team member interferes with a fielder. 7. The ball reaches first base before the runner. 8. The batter interferes with the catcher. 9. The batter is tagged before reaching a base.

Batter Becomes Base Runner When

1. A fair hit is made. 2. A pitcher pitches four balls. 3. A fielder makes an error. 4. The catcher interferes with the batter.

Base Runner Rules

A runner must touch each base in order and may overrun only first base. They must return to touch the base when a fly ball is caught.