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Softball Informational Packet

The document provides an overview of the key elements of playing softball including the field layout consisting of bases forming a diamond shape within the infield, with the outfield beyond the baselines. It details the standard 9 player team composition consisting of a pitcher, catcher and infielders along with outfielders. The game is played over 7 innings with both teams batting each inning. Additional details are given on pitching requirements, ways a batter can be out, base running rules including tagging bases in order and limitations on leading off or passing other runners. The infield fly rule is also summarized. Finally, a brief history of the origins of softball in 1887 is given, along with how the name evolved over time from early versions to

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Saleha Iftikhar
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67 views

Softball Informational Packet

The document provides an overview of the key elements of playing softball including the field layout consisting of bases forming a diamond shape within the infield, with the outfield beyond the baselines. It details the standard 9 player team composition consisting of a pitcher, catcher and infielders along with outfielders. The game is played over 7 innings with both teams batting each inning. Additional details are given on pitching requirements, ways a batter can be out, base running rules including tagging bases in order and limitations on leading off or passing other runners. The infield fly rule is also summarized. Finally, a brief history of the origins of softball in 1887 is given, along with how the name evolved over time from early versions to

Uploaded by

Saleha Iftikhar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Softball Study Guide

Playing field:
 The lines between the bases are 60’ apart
and when joined form a DIAMOND
 Inside of the lines is called the INFIELD
 Outside the baselines is called the OUTFIELD,
where you can find the LEFT, CENTER, and RIGHT FIELD
 Any ball going outside the 1st and 3rd baseline is called a FOUL BALL

Players:
 There are 9 players on a softball team –
 Pitcher and catcher(make up the battery) –
 1st baseman, 2nd baseman, 3rd baseman and shortstop (make up the infield)—
 The right fielder , the center fielder and the left fielder (make up the outfield)

The Game:
 An official game is 7 innings, An INNING is when both teams have had their turn at bat

Pitching:
 The pitcher must have both feet on the pitchers plate and only take one step forward while
pitching
 The ball must be thrown underhand and must reach an arc of 6-12 feet
 The pitcher must complete the pitch once started or it is a balk

Batting: The batter is out if:


 Three strikes have been called
 A fly ball is caught
 The batter is hit by the batted ball in fair territory
 The batter bunts or chops the ball

Base Running:
 A batter becomes a base runner upon hitting a fair ball, 4 balls are called, being hit by a pitched
ball, or the catcher interferes``
 Base runner must touch each base in order
 Only 1st base many be overrun
 A runner may not leave the base until the ball has left the pitchers hand – There is no lead off
 After a fly ball is caught, the runner must tag the base and then may run
 One runner may not pass another runner
 A runner is out if they are more than 3 feet off the baseline trying to avoid being tagged
 A runner is out if the ball reached the base ahead of a player who is forced to run

Infield Fly Rule:


 If there are runners on first and second, or first second and third and less than two outs, the batter
shall be out upon hitting an infield fly- runners hold their bases.
The History of Softball:One winter day, long ago in November 1887, in Chicago, Illinois, alumnus of Harvard and Yale
were sitting around waiting for the score of the rival football game. When the news arrived that the score was 17-8 Yale, a Yale
alumni threw a boxing glove at a Harvard alumni who protected himself by hitting the glove with a stick. This gave another man in
the room, George Hancock, an idea. Hancock made a game inside by tying the laces of the boxing glove together for the ball. He
marked with chalk, home plate, bases, and a pitcher's box. That was the first game of softball. The score was 41-40. Little did
George Hancock know, but about a century later this sport would played by millions. As the years went on, 19 rules were added to
the sport, it became very popular with firemen, and it was also given many names. In the summer of 1900, it was called Kitten
League, then later Kitten Ball, and in 1925 it was called Diamond Ball. Finally, in 1933 softball became a national sport and was
called softball.

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