Physical Education IV

TEAM SPORTS

Submitted to:
Mr. Dindo Carlos

Submitted by:
Georgette P. Bautista
 Contents
1. Types of softball
2. The field
 2.1 Official baseline dimensions
 2.2 Fast pitch pitching dimensions
 2.3 Slow pitch pitching distances
3. Equipment
 3.1 Ball
 3.2 Bat
 3.3 Gloves
 3.4 Uniform
 3.5 Protective equipment
4. Umpires
5. Gameplay
 5.1 Pitching
 5.2 Batting
 5.3 Getting the batter out
 5.4 Advancing around the bases
 5.4.1 Special circumstances
 5.5 Scoring runs
 5.6 Ending the game
6. Modification of rules
 6.1 Indoor play
7. History

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 Softball is a team sport, in which a
ball, eleven to twelve inches (or rarely, 16
inches) (28 to 30.5 centimeters) in
circumference, is thrown (pitched)
underhand by a player called a pitcher and
hit by an offensive player called a batter
with a long, round, smooth stick called a
bat (usually wooden, metal or composite).
In softball there is an offensive team, the
team that bats to attempt to score, and a
defensive team, the team that occupies
the field. Scoring is accomplished when a batter from the offensive team advances and
touches a series of three raised markers on the ground called bases, and then touching the
final base, called home plate.

There are many ways to get on base. Types of hits include full swing, bunt, drag
bunt, and slap hits. A batter can get on base through a walk, or when hit by a pitch, but
these situations are not hits. Runners can only leave their bases after the pitcher releases
the ball.

Both teams switch between offense and defense after the defensive team makes
three outs. Outs can be made in many ways. A defensive player (a fielder) can catch a hit
ball before it hits the ground, making an out. A fielder can also hold the ball while touching
a base, when an offensive player (here, a base runner) is forced to advance, before the runner
reaches that base. If the runner is not forced to advance, the runner must be tagged with
the ball to be called out. A pitcher "strikes" out the batter, resulting in an out.

A strikeout is when the pitcher throws three strikes to the batter. A strike is given
when there is a good pitch, which the batter does not hit, when the batter swings at the ball
and misses it or when the batter fouls off the ball (although a foul ball cannot be strike three
unless it is bunted). The batter is also given four balls. A ball is a bad pitch. If the batter
receives four balls, the batter is awarded first base. This is known as a walk. Good and bad
pitches are determined by the strikezone. The strike zone is a rectangular area that extends
for the width of homeplate and the length runs from the knees of the batter to just below
the shoulders.

Softball has a set number of innings, usually seven or nine. An inning is one series
of both teams playing offense and defense. At the end of the set number of innings the team
with the highest score wins.

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 Softball is a direct descendant of baseball, which is sometimes referred to as hardball
to distinguish it from softball, but differs from it in several ways (see Comparison of baseball
and softball). This article assumes no knowledge of baseball.

The sport's governing body, the International Softball Federation holds world
championships, held every four years, in several categories.

1. Types of softball
There are three general forms of softball: slow pitch, modified pitch and fast pitch.

 Fast Pitch softball is a very defensive, pitcher-oriented game. The pitcher delivers
the ball at maximum speed with little to no arc. The pitch is very similar to that of
one thrown by a baseball pitcher, but the two differ primarily in their throwing styles
and release points: baseball pitchers release the ball from a point higher than the
catcher's glove (overhand), whereas fast pitch softball pitchers release at a point that
is lower than or equal to the height of the catcher's glove (underhand). Speeds of
70+ mph (110+ km/h) are common at the professional level. Due to the increased
difficulty in hitting the larger, less dense ball, fast pitch softball games are typically
played on much smaller fields than their slow pitch counterparts (typically 200 feet
[61 metres] from home plate to the center field fence).
 Modified Pitch softball strikes a balance between fast and slow pitch. The speed of
the pitches are limited by not allowing the pitcher to raise their arms above their
shoulders.
 Slow Pitch softball gives batters more dominance by making it easier for them to
hit the ball. The ball type in women's and youth competition is usually smaller and
more dense than that of the fast pitch variety, making for a harder hit ball to the
defense. This type of ball is often referred to as a "Green Dot", due to the green dot
on the ball that marks its size range. Men's slow pitch ball type is very similar to that
of the fast pitch ball type. Men's slow pitch softballs are often referred to as "Blue
Dot", due to the blue dot on the ball that marks its size range. Typically, slow pitch
softball fields are much larger (300 feet [90 metres] from home plate to center field)
due to the slow pitch batter's increased advantage of range and power over their fast
pitch counterparts. The increased hitting advantage to the batter combined with
new technology in softball bat manufacturing has forced many softball leagues to
impose rules on the number of over-the-fence home runs that may be counted
during a game.

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2. The field

Diagram of a softball diamond.

The playing field is divided into fair territory and foul territory. Fair territory is further
divided into the infield, the outfield, and the territory beyond the outfield fence.

The field is defined by foul lines that meet at a right angle at home plate. The minimum
length of the baselines varies classification of play (see below for official measurements). A
fence running between the baselines defines the limits of the field; this fence is equidistant
from home plate at all points.

Behind home plate is a backstop. It must be between 25 and 30 feet (7.62 and 9.14 meters)
behind home plate.

Home Plate is a five-sided figure, a combination of a rectangle and triangle, 17 in (43 cm)
wide. The sides are 8.5 in (22 cm) long. The triangle fits into the right angle formed by the
baselines.

Home plate is one corner of a diamond with bases at each corner. The bases other than
home plate are 15 in (38 cm) square, of canvas or a similar material, and not more than 5 in
(13 cm) thick. The bases are usually securely fastened to the ground. The bases are numbered
counter clockwise as first base, second base, and third base. Often, but not always, outside
first base (that is, in foul territory) and adjacent and connected to it there is a contrast-
colored "double base" or "safety base". It is intended to prevent collisions between the first
baseman and the runner. The runner runs for the foul portion of the double base after
hitting the ball while the fielding team tries to throw the ball to the regular first base before
the runner reaches the safety base. However, not all softball diamonds have these safety

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bases and they are much more common in women's softball than in men's. The double base
is required in ISF championships.

The infield consists of the diamond and the adjacent space in which the infielders (see
below) normally play. The outfield is the remaining space between the baselines and
between the outfield fence and the infield. The infield is usually "skinned" (dirt), while the
outfield has grass in regulation competitions.

Near the centre of the diamond is the pitching plate. In fast pitch, a skinned circle 8 feet
(2.44 meters) in diameter known as the pitching circle is around the pitching plate.

A field is officially supposed to have a warning track between 15 and 12 feet (5 and 4 meters)
from the outfield fence. However, if the game is being played on a field larger than required,
no warning track is required before the temporary outfield fencing.

Located in foul territory outside both baselines are two Coach's Boxes. Each box is behind
a line 15 feet (5 meters) long located 12 feet (3 meters) from each baseline.

2.1 Official baseline dimensions

Fast Pitch Baselines Slow Pitch Baselines

60 feet (18.29 m) 60 feet or 65 feet (19.81 m)

2.2 Fast pitch pitching dimensions

College and Adult Under 18 Under 15

Female Male Female Male Female Male

40 feet (12.19 40 feet (12.19

43 feet (13.11 46 feet (14.02 m) or 46 feet (14.02 m) or 46 feet (14.02
m) m) 35 feet (10.67 m) 35 feet (10.67 m)
m) m)

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2.3 Slow pitch pitching distances

Adult Under 18 Under 15

Female Male Coed Female Male Female Male
50 feet (15. 50 feet (15. 50 feet (15. 50 feet (15. 46 feet (14. 50 feet (15. 46 feet (14.
24 m) 24 m) 24 m) 24 m) 02 m) 24 m) 02 m)

3. Equipment

Equipment required in softball includes a ball, a bat, gloves, uniforms and protective
gear, including helmets for the offensive team and a helmet and chest protector for the
defensive catcher.

3.1 Ball

Despite the sport's name, the ball itself is not soft. The size of the ball varies
according to the classification of play; the permitted circumferences in international play
are 12 in (30 cm) and 11 in (28 cm). The ball is most often covered in white leather in two
pieces roughly the shape of a figure 8 and sewn together with red thread, although other
coverings are permitted. The core of the ball may be made of long fiber kapok, or a mixture
of cork and rubber, or a polyurethane mixture, or another approved material. In 2002, high-
visibility yellow "optic" softballs were introduced. Yellow is the color of official NCAA and
NAIA softballs. Yellow softballs are fast becoming the standard for all levels of play.
In Chicago, where softball was invented, it remains traditional to play with a ball 16 inches
in circumference. This larger ball is generally softer (sometimes called a mush ball). When
using a 16-inch ball, the fielders do not wear gloves or mitts.

3.2 Bat

The bat used by the batter is made of metal or composite materials (carbon fiber
etc). It may be no more than 34 in (86 cm) long, 2.25 in (6 cm) in diameter, or 38 oz (1.08
kg) in weight. Also, in fastpitch a "drop" of no more than 12 is allowed. The drop is calculated
by taking the length of the bat in inches and subtracting the weight in ounces.

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3.3 Gloves

All defensive players wear fielding gloves, made of leather or similar material. Gloves
have webbing between the thumb and forefinger. The first baseman and the catcher may
wear mitts; mitts are distinguished from gloves in that they have extra padding, and no
fingers. Except for the pitcher, whose glove cannot be white or gray (this confuses the
batter), gloves and mitts can be any color. Gloves used in softball are generally larger than
the ones used in baseball.
In 16 inch softball, gloves are generally not worn. It will be determined by league
whether gloves are permissible or not.

3.4 Uniform

Each team wears distinctive uniforms. The uniform includes a cap, a shirt, an
undershirt, tight sliding undershorts, and shorts or pants; these are the components for
which standards are set. Sliding kneepads are also optional.
Caps must be alike and are mandatory for male players. Caps, visors, and headbands are
optional for female players, and must be the same color if more than one is worn. A fielder
who chooses to wear a helmet (see below) is not required to wear a cap.
Including for softball players, most players use "sliding shorts" otherwise known as
compression short for other sports like soccer, football etc. These shorts help, and protect
the upper thigh when sliding towards second, third, or home plate.
At the back of the uniform an Arabic number from 1-99 must be visible. Numbers
like 02 and 2 are considered identical. Players' names are optional.
Jewelry, except for medic-alert-style bracelets and necklaces, cannot be worn during
a game.
All players are required to wear shoes. They may have cleats or spikes. The spikes
must extend less than 3/4 inch (19 millimeters) away from the sole. Rounded metal spikes
are illegal, as are ones made from hard plastic or other synthetic materials. Detachable metal
cleats are forbidden at any level of play.
Many recreational leagues prohibit the use of metal cleats or spikes in order to
reduce the possible severity of injuries when a runner slides feet-first into a fielder. At all
youth (under 15) levels, in co-ed (the official terminology for mixed teams) slow pitch, and
in modified pitch, metal spikes are not allowed.

3.5 Protective equipment

All batters are required to wear batting helmets. Batting helmets must have two ear
flaps, one on each side, and a protective cage. Cages are required at most age levels except

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the youngest level but are mandatory at higher levels of youth softball. The cage prevents
balls from hitting the batter's face. Helmets and cages that are damaged or altered are
forbidden.
In fast pitch, the catcher must wear a protective helmet with a facemask and throat
protector. A female catcher must wear a body protector at any level of play. At the youth
level, shin guards are required. Shin guards also protect the kneecap. Also, some third base
players or players in other positions may be required to wear a face mask. This is to prevent
damage to the face.
In slow pitch, the catcher must wear a helmet and mask at youth levels. At adult
levels, there is no formal requirement for the catcher to wear a mask, although the official
rules recommend it International Softball Federation Playing Rules Committee.
Protective gear of any kind is generally not worn in 16 inch softball.

4. Umpires
Decisions about play are made by umpires. They make the decisions like a referee
in football. The number of umpires on a given game can range from a minimum of one to a
maximum of seven. There is never more than one "plate umpire"; there can be up to three
"base umpires", and up to a further three umpires positioned in the outfield. Most fast pitch
games use a crew of two umpires (one plate umpire, one base umpire).

The plate umpire often uses a counter to keep track of the game.

Official umpires are often nicknamed "blue", because of their uniforms – in many
jurisdictions, most significantly ISF games, umpires wear navy blue slacks, a light powder
blue shirt, and a navy baseball cap. Some umpires wear a variant of the uniform: umpires
from the United States Slo-Pitch Softball Association (USSSA), for example, wear red shirts
with black shorts. Canadian umpires can wear either a light blue or red shirt. Regardless of
what uniform is worn, all umpires in the same game are required to have matching clothing.
Decisions are usually indicated by both the use of hand signals, and by vocalizing the call.
Safe calls are made by signaling with flat hands facing down moving away from each other,

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and a verbal call of "safe". Out calls are made by raising the right hand in a clenched fist,
with a verbal call of "out". Strikes are called by the plate umpire, who uses the same motion
as the out call with a verbal call of "strike". Balls are only called verbally, with no hand
gesture. The umpire also has the option of not saying anything on a ball. It is understood
that when he stands up, the pitch was not a strike. Foul balls are called by extending both
arms up in the air with a verbal call of "foul ball", while fair balls are indicated only by
pointing towards fair territory with no verbal call. All decisions made by the umpire(s) are
considered to be final. Only decisions where a rule might have been misinterpreted are
considered to be protestable. At some tournaments there might be a rules interpreter or
Tournament Chief Umpire (TCU) available to pass judgment on such protests, but it is
usually up to the league or association involved to decide if the protest would be upheld.
Protests are never allowed on what are considered "judgment calls" – balls, strikes, safes,
fair/foul and outs.

5. Gameplay
A softball game can last anywhere from 3 to 9 innings, depending on the league,
rules, and type of softball; however 7 innings is the most common. In each inning, each
team bats until three batters have been put out (see below). The teams take turns batting.
Officially, which team bats first is decided by a coin toss,[1] although a league may decide
otherwise at its discretion. The most common rule is that the home team bats second.
Batting second is advantageous.

In the event of a tie, extra innings are usually played until the tie is broken except in
certain tournaments and championships. If the home team is leading and the road team has
just finished its half of the seventh inning, the game ends because it is not necessary for the
home team to bat again.

In all forms of softball, the defensive team is the fielding team; the offensive team
is at bat or batting and is trying to score runs.

5.1 Pitching

The Play begins with the umpire saying "Play Ball". After the batter is ready and all
fielders (except the catcher) are in fair territory, the pitcher stands at the pitching plate and
attempts to throw the ball past the batter to the catcher behind home plate. The throw, or
pitch, must be made with an underarm often called "windmill" motion: the ball must be
released below the hip when the hand is no farther from the hip than the elbow.

A windmill motion is done by extending your throwing hang around your body
backwards and releasing the ball at about hip level at maximum speeds. 12u pitchers usually

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throw in the 30's, 14u is about in the 40's or low 50's, 16u is when the speeds may top out at
70 mph.

The pitcher tries to throw the ball so that it passes through the strike zone.
However, in advance play a highly-skilled pitcher may deliberately pitch a ball outside the
strike zone if she believes the batter is likely to swing. In other instances, such as when an
extremely powerful hitter comes up to bat and they are followed by a weaker hitter, a pitcher
may deliberately walk the first batter based on the calculation that the next batter will be
an easy out. The strike zone is slightly different in different forms of softball. A pitch that
passes through that zone is a strike. A pitch that the batter swings at is also a strike, as is
any hit ball that lands in foul territory (unless it is fast pitch and two strikes have already
been called).

A pitch which is not a strike and which the batter does not swing at is a ball. The
number of balls and strikes is called the count. The number of balls is always given first, as
2 and 1, 2 and 2, and so on. A count of 3 and 2 is a full count, since the next ball or strike
will end the batter's turn at the plate, unless the ball goes foul.

If the ball lands foul, it is a dead ball and no plays may be made until the pitcher
receives the ball again, and the home plate umpire says, "Play ball."

Various illegal acts done by the pitcher, such as leaping or crow-hopping result in
a ball being awarded to the batter, and any runners on base advancing to the next base.

In 16-inch softball, the pitch is lobbed. It must be thrown higher than the batter's
head and pass through the strike zone. Umpires often will make calls based on where the
ball lands behind the plate. A pitch in "the well" is considered a perfect pitch.

5.2 Batting

A batter awaits the pitch

The offensive team sends one batter at a time to home plate to use the bat to try to
hit the pitch forward into fair territory. The order the players bat in, known as the batting
order, must stay the same throughout the game. Substitutes and replacements must bat in

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the same position as the player they are replacing. In co-ed, male and female batters must
alternate.

The batter stands facing the pitcher inside a batter's box (there is one on each side
of the plate). The bat is held with both hands, over the shoulder away from the pitcher. The
ball is usually hit with a full swinging motion in which the bat may move through more than
360 degrees. The batter usually steps forward with the front foot and swings the bat.

Once the ball is hit into fair territory the runner must try to advance to first base or
beyond. While running to first base, the batter is a batter-runner. When she safely reached
first (see below) she becomes a base-runner or runner.

If four balls are called, then it is a walk. The batter gets to walk to first and if there
is a runner on first the runner gets to advance to second.

A batted ball hit high in the air is a fly ball. A fly ball hit upward at an angle greater
than 45 degrees is a pop fly. A batted ball driven in the air through the infield at a height
at which an infielder could play it if in the right position is a line drive. A batted ball which
hits the ground within the diamond is a ground ball. If a batted ball hits a player or a base
it is considered to have hit the ground.

5.3 Getting the batter out

The batter is out if: three strikes are called (a strikeout); a ball hit by the batter is
caught before touching the ground (a flyout); the batter is touched by the ball or by a glove
holding the ball while the batter is away from a base (tagged); a fielder holding the ball
touches a base which is the only base towards which the batter may run before the batter
arrives there (a force out or force play); or in certain special circumstances. Unlike in
baseball, where the batter is allowed unlimited foul balls, in many slow pitch softball leagues
only one foul ball is allowed and additional foul balls are considered a strike.

The most common type of force play is made at first base. A batter that drives a ball
forward into fair territory must run to first base. If the ball is thrown to first base (that is, to
a fielder standing on first base and is holding the ball) before the batter can reach it, the
batter is out. A double play is when two runners are put out during a single continuous
action; a triple play is when three runners are put out.

In co-ed slow pitch, teams must alternate male and female batters. If a team is, for
whatever reason, unable to do this, an out is recorded wherever two players of the same
gender bat back-to-back. The missing player is recorded as being "put out."

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5.4 Advancing around the bases

If the player hits the ball and advances to a base without a fielding error or an out
being recorded, then that is called a base hit. The bases must be reached in order
counterclockwise, starting with first base. After hitting the ball the batter may advance as
many bases as possible. An advance to first base on the one hit is a single, to second base
is a double, to third base is a triple, and to home plate is a home run. Home runs are
usually scored by hitting the ball over the outfield fence, but may be scored on a hit which
does not go over the fence. A home run includes any ball that bounces off a fielder and goes
over the fence in fair-territory or that hits the foul pole. If a batted ball bounces off a fielder
and goes over the fence in foul territory, hits the fence, a fielder, and then goes over, or if it
goes over the fence at a location that is closer than the official distance, the batter is awarded
a double instead.

If a runner becomes entitled to the base where another runner is standing, the latter
runner must advance to the next base. For example, if a player hits the ball and there is a
runner on first, the runner on first must try to advance to second because the batter-runner
is entitled to first base. If the batter reaches first base without being put out, then that player
can then be forced to run towards second base the next time a ball is driven into fair
territory. That is because the player must vacate first base to allow the next batter to reach
it, and consequently can only go to second base, where a force out may be recorded.

Runners may advance at risk to be put out: on a hit by another player; after a fly ball
has been caught, provided the player was touching a base at the time the ball was caught or
after; or automatically, when a pitch is delivered illegally; or on an error by a fielder.

Runners advance without liability to be put out: when a walk advances another
player to the runner's current base; or automatically in certain special circumstances
described below.

5.4.1 Special circumstances

If there is a wild throw in which the ball goes out of the designated play area, each
runner is awarded the base they were going to, plus one extra base.

In fast pitch, runners may try to get a stolen base by running to the next base on
the pitch and reaching it before being tagged with the ball. Until recently, stealing was
forbidden in slow pitch because a runner would get a huge head start while the slow
pitch is making its way to the batter. As a result of rule changes initiated by the
Independent Softball Association which later made its way to the Amateur Softball
Association and the International Softball Federation in the 21st century, most levels of
slow pitch permit stealing bases, provided the runner starts when the ball either touches

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 the ground or crosses the plate. This rule encourages pitchers to be more responsible
with the pitch and catchers to play defense, as balls which miss the catcher are now
grounds to have stolen bases.

No matter what level of play, all baserunners must keep one foot on a base until the
pitcher throws the ball.

In fast pitch, if the catcher drops strike three (a passed ball) with less than two
outs, the batter can attempt to run to first base if first base is unoccupied. The catcher
must then attempt to throw the ball to first base ahead of the runner. If he or she cannot,
the runner is safe. With two outs, the batter can attempt to run to first whether or not it
is already occupied.

A foul ball with two strikes on the batter means the batter is out in slow pitch only.

5.5 Scoring runs

A run is scored when a player has touched all four bases in order, proceeding
counterclockwise around them. They need not be touched on the same play; a batter may
remain safely on a base while play proceeds and attempt to advance on a later play.

A run is not scored if the last out occurs during the same play that the runner crosses
home plate. For instance, if a runner is on third base prior to a hit, and they cross home
plate before or after an out is made, either on the batter or another runner, the run is not
counted.

5.6 Ending the game

The team with the most runs after seven innings wins the game. The last (bottom)
half of the seventh inning or any remaining part of the seventh inning is not played if the
team batting second is leading.

If the game is tied, play usually continues until a decision is reached, by using the
international tie-breaker rule. Starting in the top of the eighth inning, the batting team
starts with a base-runner on second base, which is the player who made the third out in the
previous inning.

In games where one team leads by a large margin, the mercy rule may come into
play in order to avoid embarrassing weaker teams. In fast pitch and modified pitch, a margin
of 20 runs after three innings, 15 after four, or 10 after five is sufficient for a win to be declared
for the leading team. In slow pitch, the margin is 20 runs after four innings or 15 after five
innings. In the NCAA, the required margin after 5 innings is 8 runs. The mercy rule takes

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effect at the end of an inning. Thus, if the team batting first is ahead by enough runs for the
rule to come into effect, the team batting second is given their half of the inning to try and
narrow the margin.

A game may be lost due to a forfeit. A score of 7-0 for the team not at fault is
recorded. A forfeit may be called due to any of these circumstances: if a team does not show
up to play; if one side refuses to continue play; if a team fails to resume play after a
suspension of play ends; if a team uses tactics intended to unfairly delay or hasten the game;
if a player removed from the game does not leave within one minute of being instructed to
do so; if a player that cannot play enters the game and one pitch has been thrown; if a team
does not have, for whatever reason, enough players to continue; or if after warning by the
umpire, a player continues to intentionally break the rules of the game. This last rule is
rarely enforced as players who break rules after being warned are usually removed.

The plate umpire may suspend play because of darkness or anything that puts
players or spectators in danger. If five innings have been played, the game is recorded as it
stands. This includes ties. If fewer than four innings have been played, the game is not
considered a regulation game.

Games that are not regulation or are regulation ties are resumed from the point of
suspension. If it is a championship game, it is replayed from the beginning. Team rosters
may be changed.

One custom in the United States is to high-five the other teams players after the game.

6. Modification of rules

One reason for the popularity of softball is the ease of modification of the rules,
thereby allowing the game to be adapted to a variety of skill levels. For example, in some
slow pitch softball leagues a batter starts at bat with a count of one ball one strike. In some
leagues, the number of home runs that can be hit by a team are limited. In other leagues,
stealing of bases is prohibited.
Some leagues require teams to use limited flight softballs. These softballs, when hit,
will not go as far as regular softballs. Other leagues limit the number of runs which can be
scored in an inning. Five is a common limit.
By allowing these and other modifications, softball can be enjoyed by children,
teenagers, and adults. Senior leagues with players over the age of 60 are not uncommon.
An example of a rule modification is the "offensive pitcher" (or "self pitch") often found in
informal games where the emphasis is on the social rather than the competitive aspects of
the game. The pitcher aids the batter by attempting to give the easiest pitch to hit. There
are no walks, and a batter is normally given a fixed number of pitches to attempt to hit
(usually 3 or 4). The batter is considered to strike out if she fails to hit the ball into fair

15
territory after the given number of pitches. The pitcher does not act as a fielder, and a rule
is often made that if a batted ball touches the pitcher, the batter is out.
In some leagues the number of pitches to walk or strikeout can be reduced. For
instance, one strike is an out, and two balls is a walk. This is common in leagues where
doubleheaders are played, or in late season leagues when reduced daylight is an issue. It
results in shorter games, as players are more apt to swing, even at marginal pitches, rather
than risk striking out on one pitch.
Many leagues also include a second first base immediately adjacent to the main one.
This is usually orange and the batter running through first base is supposed to run straight
through it. This minimizes the chances of a collision. By the same token some leagues have
an alternate home plate and rule that plays at home are always force plays. In these cases
there is typically a white line drawn approximately 1/3 of the way down the baseline that is
considered a point of no return. This is designed to reduce the "Pickle" which can put a
great strain on the ankles and knees of older baserunners.

6.1 Indoor play

Despite the fact that it was originally intended to be played indoors, softball is
usually played outdoors. The indoor form is sometimes called Arena Softball. It is most
similar to slow pitch. There are no "official" rules for the indoor form, but some general
conventions are given below.
Only the wall behind the batter is considered foul territory. The other walls are
considered fair. If a ball hits a wall and is caught before it lands, the batter flies out. Usually,
there is a small area on one of the walls that results in a home run being awarded if the
batted ball hits it.

Pitching is generally of the slow form. The count starts at 1 ball, 1 strike.
The placement of the fielders is different. The pitcher also acts as the second baseman.
There is no catcher.
There is no limit to the number of batters a team may have available.

7. History
The first version of softball was invented in Chicago, Illinois on September 16, 1887
by Kaila, as a winter version of baseball. It was intended to be a way for baseball players to
keep in practice during the winter. At the time, the sport was called "Indoor Baseball.

Yale and Harvard alumni had gathered at the Farragut Boat Club in Chicago to hear
the score of the annual football game. When the score was announced and bets were paid,
a Yale alum threw a boxing glove at a Harvard supporter. The other person grabbed a stick

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and swung at it. Hancock called "Play ball!" and the game began. Hancock took a boxing
glove and tied it into a ball. A broom handle was used as a bat. The first softball game ended
with a score of 44-40. The ball, being soft, was fielded barehanded rather than with gloves
like those which had been introduced to baseball in 1882. Hancock developed a ball and an
undersized bat in the next week. The Farragut Club soon set rules for the game, which
spread quickly to outsiders. The game, under the name of "Indoor-Outdoor", was moved
outside next year, and the first rules were published in 1889.

In 1895 Lewis Rober, Sr. of Minneapolis organized outdoor games as exercise for
firefighters; this game was known as kitten ball (after the first team to play it), pumpkin
ball, or diamond ball. Rober's version of the game used a ball 12 inches (305 mm) in
circumference, rather than the 16-inch (406 mm) ball used by the Farragut club, and
eventually the Minneapolis ball prevailed, although the dimensions of the Minneapolis
diamond were passed over in favour of the dimensions of the Chicago one. Rober may not
have been familiar with the Farragut Club rules. The first softball league outside the United
States was organized in Toronto in 1897.

The name softball dates from 1926. (In addition to indoor baseball, kitten ball, and
diamond ball, names for the game included mush ball and pumpkin ball.). By the 1930s,
similar sports with different rules and names were being played all over the United States
and Canada. The formation of the Joint Rules Committee on Softball in 1934 standardized
the rules and naming throughout the United States.

Sixteen-inch softball, also sometimes referred to as "mush ball" or "super-slow

pitch", is a direct descendant of Hancock's original game. Defensive players are not allowed
to wear fielding gloves; however, a 16-inch softball is actually soft, and can be fielded safely
with bare hands. Sixteen-inch softball is played extensively in Chicago.

By the 1940s, fast pitching started to dominate the game. Although slow pitch was
present at the 1933 World's Fair, the main course of action taken was to lengthen the
pitching distance. Slow pitch achieved formal recognition in 1953 when it was added to the
program of the Amateur Softball Association, and within a decade had surpassed fast pitch
in popularity.

After World War II, Canadian soldiers introduced softball to the Netherlands.

Softball was introduced to the United Kingdom in 1962 when the movie A Touch of
Class was being filmed in London. In 1991, women's fast-pitch softball was selected to debut
at the 1996 Summer Olympics. The 1996 Olympics also marked a key era in the introduction
of technology in softball; the IOC funded a landmark biomechanical study on pitching
during the games.

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 In 2002, sixteen-inch slow pitch was written out of the ISF official rules, although it
is still played extensively in the United States under Amateur Softball Association of
America, or ASA rules.

The 117th meeting of the International Olympic Committee, held in Singapore in

July 2005, voted to drop softball and baseball as Olympic sports for the 2012 Summer
Olympic Games.

REFERENCES

http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php/Softball

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Physical Education IV
TEAM SPORTS

Submitted to:
Mr. Dindo Carlos

Submitted by:
Georgette P. Bautista

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 Contents
1. Types of softball ……………………………………………………………………………………2
2. The field ……………………………………………………………………………………………….3
 2.1 Official baseline dimensions ..………………………………………………….4
 2.2 Fast pitch pitching dimensions ..……………………………………………..4
 2.3 Slow pitch pitching distances ..………………………………………………..5
3. Equipment …………………………………………………………………………………………….5
 3.1 Ball ……………………………………………………………………………………………5
 3.2 Bat ……………………………………………………………………………………………5
 3.3 Gloves ………………………………………………………………………………………6
 3.4 Uniform …………………………………………………………………………………..6
 3.5 Protective equipment ………………………………………………………………6
4. Umpires ………………………………………………………………………………………………..7
5. Gameplay ……………………………………………………………………………………………...8
 5.1 Pitching …………………………………………………………………………………….8
 5.2 Batting ……………………………………………………………………………………..9
 5.3 Getting the batter out ……………………………………………………………..10
 5.4 Advancing around the bases ……………………………………………………11
 5.4.1 Special circumstances ………………………………………………...11
 5.5 Scoring runs ……………………………………………………………………………..12
 5.6 Ending the game ……………………………………………………………………...12
6. Modification of rules ……………………………………………………………………………..13
 6.1 Indoor play ………………………………………………………………………………..14
7. History ……………………………………………………………………………………………………14

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