Fast Pitch Softball Rules

Fast pitch softball is a growing sport, mostly played by girls and young female adults, in a variety of leagues in the United States with varying rules. The game can be both similar and dissimilar to baseball. There is a pitcher, catcher and batter, plus four bases in the infield and a grass area past the infield where outfielders try to stop batted balls. From there, rules between fast pitch softball and baseball can differ greatly. For the most part, fast pitch softball is faster and is played on a smaller field.

  1. History of Fast Pitch Softball

    • Arguably, fast pitch softball has reached its highest point of popularity, with the United States claiming two gold medals and a silver medal in Olympic play, nationally televised Olympic and college play and emerging celebrities such as pitcher Jennie Finch.

    Significance of Fast Pitch Softball Field Size

    • Baseball is played on a diamond with bases 90 feet apart and the pitching rubber 60 feet 6 inches from home plate; the distances can vary depending on the age level. Softball is played with bases no more than 60 feet apart and the pitching rubber anywhere from 30 to 43 feet away from the plate. Softball is played on a smaller field.

    Function of a Fast Pitch Softball Field

    • Most fast pitch softball fields feature infields made entirely of dirt, since the game is faster than baseball and features more bunting and base stealing. Most baseball infields have grass on the infield, surrounded by a wide strip of dirt, followed by the outfield grass.

    Fun Fact about Fast Pitch Softball Base Stealing

    • Baseball runners can get a lead off the base before the pitcher releases the ball. In fact, baseball runners can run and try to steal the next base while the pitcher stands idle on the rubber. Softball base runners cannot leave the base until the pitcher releases the ball to pitch to a batter.

    Significance of Fast Pitch Softball Pitching

    • Fast pitch softball pitching is underhand, in a "windmill" manner, where the pitcher starts at the hip, brings the ball over her head in a backward circular motion and returns the ball forward to release the ball right at the hip.

    Fast Pitch Softball Warning about Hitting

    • Hitting tactics differ greatly between baseball and softball, due to the height of the ball when the pitcher releases it. Most baseball fields place the pitching rubber atop a mound of dirt, and pitchers throw overhand so the ball approaches the batter at a downward angle. Softball pitchers release the ball at the hip, so the ball approaches at a straighter angle, or, with a rise ball, even elevate by the time the batter swings.

    Fun Fact about Ball Sizes

    • Totally different from baseball, the size of the ball in fast pitch softball can differ from age to age, usually starting with a ball with a 10-inch circumference at younger ages (4 to 8), moving up to an 11-inch ball at ages 9-10 and finally with a regularly sized softball of 12 inches around age 11 and up.