Softball Rules Simplified

THE GAME

There are 9 players on a softball team.
The playing field is divided into the infield and outfield
The lines between the bases are 60’ apart and when joined they form a “diamond”, inside the baseline is known as the infield
Outside the baseline but inside the playing field is called the outfield.
Any ball going outside the 1st or 3rd base line is a foul ball ( runners can not advance and the batter gets another try unless the ball was caught in the air, which translates to an out)
An official game is 7 innings (a inning is when both teams have had their turn to bat)


PITCHING

The pitcher must have both feet on the pitcher’s rubber and can only take one step forward while pitching.
The ball must be thrown underhand.
Both hands must be on the ball at the start of the pitch.

BATTING

Batters must follow the same order throughout the whole game
The batter is out if and when:
a) three strikes have been called

b) a fly ball is caught

c) the batter does not stand in the batter’s box

BASE RUNNING

Runners must touch each base in order
Runners may overrun 1st base only, all other bases the runner may be tagged and called out if they are off the base.
Runners can not lead off a base, they must be on base until the ball as left the pitcher’s hand
After a fly ball has been caught the base runner must tag the occupied base before advancing to the next base
One base runner can not pass another base runner that is ahead of them.
Stealing a base is not permitted
A runner is out if:
a. they are tagged with the ball before reaching a base

b. the ball gets to 1st base before the runner

c. they run more than 3 feet out of the base line to avoid being tagged

TERMS:

Ball- a legally pitched ball that does not enter the strike zone (four balls equals a walk)
Grounder- A ball that is hit on the ground
Force out- when the runner has to advance to the next base to make room for the following base runner.
Fly ball- ball hit up in the air to the infield
On deck- the next batter
Pop up- ball hit up in the air to the infield
Strike- term used when a ball is swung at and missed or is called when the ball enters the strike zone and is not swung at all.
Strike zone- the ball passes the batter over the plate between their chest and knees