What Are the Basic Softball Rules?

Of all the variations of baseball that exist, softball might be the closest-related sport. The object of the game is the same---cross home plate more than your opponent. The sports also use similar equipment, while employing a lot of the same offensive and defensive strategies. The basic rules of softball are very straightforward for those who are already familiar with regular baseball. Those who aren't familiar will catch on quickly.

  1. Offense

    • The object of offense is to score as many runs as possible before three outs are recorded by the defense. If a ball is hit over the outfield fence, the batter is awarded a home run. Some leagues limit the number of home runs a team can hit in a game, so in some cases a player is only allowed to advance to second base on a home-run ball. Base runners must ensure they take the straightest path to each base. The umpire can call a runner out if she strays too far from the baseline. Leadoffs are not allowed in softball, and runners may only leave their respective base once the ball has crossed home plate.

    Pitching

    • Pitchers must deliver the ball via the "windmill" style in fastpitch softball, in which the pitcher's arm makes a complete circle before he releases the ball toward the plate. No overhand or sidearm attempts are allowed. In slow-pitch softball, the ball must be delivered with an underhand throw, and it must achieve a minimum height before reaching the batter. In both cases, a pitcher has 20 seconds from the time he receives the ball to throw the next pitch.

    Defense

    • Teams are required to field nine players in fastpitch softball: three outfielders, four infielders, a pitcher and a catcher. Slow-pitch leagues generally allow teams to have a 10th player, who usually plays in the outfield. In coed slow-pitch, teams must field an equal number of men and women, and the battery (the name given to the pitcher-catcher combo) must include one man and one woman. Fielding rules are generally the same as standard baseball, except in coed leagues when a woman comes to bat. Coed softball diamonds usually feature a chalk line drawn between the baselines, just behind the infield. Outfielders are not permitted to cross this line when a woman is batting.

    Game Rules

    • Regulation games are seven innings long, though the designated home team does not have to bat in the bottom of the seventh if it has the lead following the visiting team's final at-bat. Games that are tied after seven innings continue an inning at a time until one team scores more runs in an extra inning than its opponent. Teams are allowed to start each extra inning with a runner on second base. In the case of a forfeit, the team not at fault is awarded a 7-0 victory in the final standings.