Softball Postions and Rules

Positions in softball vary greatly based on slow-pitch and fast-pitch specifications and individual leagues. For the most part, they are very similar to baseball rules when the game begins, but there are big differences with in-game alterations. In slow-pitch softball, there is typically an extra player in the field. And reentry rules make up the major difference between both types of softball and baseball.

  1. In the Field

    • In both variations of softball, it starts with the same players: a catcher, pitcher, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman and shortstop. But, the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) makes a clear differentiation in the outfield. Whereas in fast-pitch (like in baseball) there are three outfielders--left field, center field and right field--slow-pitch allows for a fourth outfielder.

      According to the USSSA, in slow-pitch softball, the fourth outfielder player is the "short fielder" and often plays in left-center field. If an opposing hitter is left-handed, the defense usually shifts to compensate.

    At the Plate

    • In fast-pitch softball, teams can have the nine fielding players plus a designated hitter or additional player in the batting order. In slow-pitch, teams can use up to two additional hitters to go along with 10 fielders, in accordance with USSSA rules. Individual leagues might allow for just one additional hitter or limit the lineup to 10 batters.

      Teams in fast-pitch softball can "play short" with just eight players. But a team playing short would lose an out each time through the lineup as a result.

    Reentry Rules

    • The biggest difference between softball and baseball comes with reentry, which is prohibited in baseball at many levels. The USSSA permits any player to leave and reenter a game once, as long as she comes back in the same position in the batting order.

      There is no penalty for a team when a player reenters the game the first time, whether she was taken out for a pinch-runner, pinch-hitter or defensive replacement. However, it is illegal for a substituted player to come out of the game and then reenter.