Softball Study Guide
Softball Study Guide
Softball Study Guide
The Game
The batting side (offense) attempts to score runs by making a circuit of four bases while the fielding team (defense)
attempts to dismiss them. The major differences are that softball is played by men and
women, the field of play is smaller, the ball is larger, the game lasts only seven innings,
pitching is underhand, and players may not steal step off the base while pitcher has
the ball in hand. As in baseball, the visiting team bats first, the home team takes the
field, there are 3 outs each at bat, and 9 fielding positions. Indiana high school girls
play fast pitch (9 players)
A variation of softball is slow-pitch softball. This game is generally a more active
one because the ball must be pitched more slowly and with an arch, the ball is hit
much more frequently. In slow-pitch softball, teams have 10 players. The extra
player is called a short fielder. Bunting and stealing bases are not permitted in
slow pitch.
Left Right
Right
Left Center Center
Fielder
Fielder
stop
3rd 1st
Baseman Pitcher Baseman
Catcher
Scoring
When a player goes completely around the bases, a run is scored. If the defensive team strikes out a batter, catches a
fly ball, throws a batted ball to a base before the batter reaches it, or tags a runner before he/she reaches a base, that
player is considered out and does not have the opportunity to score a run.
PE I Softball 2008
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PE I Softball 2008