Softball Rules
Game Length
The game of softball consists of seven innings and every inning includes three outs for each team. During an inning, each team takes a turn in the field and a turn at bat.
Getting Out
The aim of the defensive team is to get three batters out which can be achieved in a no. of ways: if three strikes of a batter are called (strikeout), the ball hit by the batter is caught by a fielder before it hits the ground (flyout), a runner who is not standing on a base is tagged by a fielder holding the ball or a fielder with the ball touches the base to which a runner is forced to go before he gets there.
Strikes
A batter has three attempts to hit the ball pitched into the strike zone above home plate. If a batter/hitter swung at the ball but missed it, he/she is charged with a strike. A strike is also called if the batter does not swing at a ball pitched into the strike zone or hits the ball into foul territory.
Scoring
A run is scored in softball when a player has touched all the bases in counterclockwise order (running from home plate to first base then second and so on) and it need not to be touched on the same play.
Pitching Rules
Some of the pitching rules are:-
- One foot of the pitcher must be in contact with the pitcher’s plate throughout the delivery.
- All pitches must be thrown underhand with the hand below the hip and the wrist not farther from the body than the elbow.
Batting Rules
The main batting rules are:-
- Each team has a batting order it must adhere to, though substitutions can be made and once a player is removed from the game, he can’t return.
- In mixed competitions, male and female batters must alternate in batting.
- Both of the batter’s feet must be in the batter’s box otherwise he/she will be automatically out.
Base Running Rules
Some of the base running rules are:-
- A baserunner must touch the bases in legal order.
- A runner is entitled to an unoccupied base when he/she touches it before he/she is put out.
- Two runners may not occupy the same base.
- In slowpitch game, a runner may not steal.
