SOFTBALL
INTRODUCTION
Softball despite its name is far from a soft sport — for starters the ball isn’t even soft. It’s as hard as a baseball, slightly larger; a softball is 12 inches (30.4cm) in circumference and a baseball is 9 inches (22.8cm), and comes at batters at speeds sometimes in excess of 70mph (over 110kph). Considering the pitcher stands far closer than a baseball pitcher, it is fair to say that softball players have just about as much time to react as their baseball counterparts.
Softball fields are much smaller than baseball fields, making softball a faster-paced game. Players have to be quick in the outfield and be able to run between bases, and those who excel in the infield need lightning fast reflexes to play successfully.
RULES & REGULATIONS
Softball games are played on a diamond-shaped softball field, which consists of 3 bases and a home plate. Softball is a game in which two teams alternate offense and defense, and each team requires a minimum of nine players.
In the game, the hitter needs to hit the ball thrown by the pitcher of the opposing team, run to the base, hit the base safely, and return to home plate after completing the last lap to score a point. If the ball is hit in bounds, the defensive player must quickly pick up the ball and pass it to the designated base. If the defensive player touches the ball, it is considered a safe base, otherwise it is out.
In a game, if the attacking side has 3 players out, the offense ends and the two sides exchange offense and defense. Both sides attack and defend once for one round.
In seven innings, the side with the most points wins. A player is declared “out” when: a) The batted ball is caught in the air before it bounces. b) As previously stated, a striker (or a runner already on base) is out if the ball fails to reach the corresponding base or is touched by a defender holding the ball midway. c) The batter strikes out.
EQUIPMENT
Softball – Probably the most important piece of equipment in the sport, a standard softball has a circumference of 30.2cm (12 inches) and weighs 166.5g (6 oz). The main color of the softball is yellow with red stitching for easy viewing by the batter.
Bats – Usually made of very high grade graphite, carbon, magnesium, ceramic or combinations thereof. The bat must not exceed 34 inches (86.4cm) in length and 38 ounces in weight. (1077g).
Gloves – Gloves are required for each defensive player. Gloves are mostly made of leather, and the area between the thumb and forefinger is called the “pocket” and is the area where the ball is most secure when it falls.
Catcher Protectors – Protectors (including face shields, chest protectors, throat guards, and leg guards) protect catchers from serious injuries caused by pitched or hit balls, as balls can be thrown at speeds of over 100 kilometers per hour.