Heading to Your First Softball Game? Here’s What You Need to Know

Emerged in Chicago, USA, in 1887 as an indoor winter version of baseball, softball has evolved into a popular sport enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels.

Flexibility is definitely one of softball’s main accessibility, as it is adaptable for players at any level. You can choose between the more competitive fastpitch rules or the more relaxed slowpitch style.

Are you ready to get down with some softball session? Read for our complete explanation of the basic rules, equipment, and gameplay.

The Playing Field

A softball field has an infield (dirt) and an outfield (grass). While sizes can vary slightly for different ages or leagues, standard adult dimensions are generally regulated as follow:

Field elements	Dimensions
Home plate to first base distance	18,29 m
Distance between bases	18,29 m
Home plate to the back wall of the outfield distance	At least 76,20 m; or longer for professional competition
Pitcher’s plate to home plate distance	13,11 m (women) and 14,02 m (men)
Infield radius	27,43 m
Pitcher’s plate size	Height 61 cm; length 15,2 cm

Keep in mind that these may vary slightly depending on specific league or tournament rules.

Essential Equipment

You will need specific gear to ensure safety and performance:

Ball

• Weighs: 142-149 grams with a circumference of 229-235 mm (approx. 73-76 mm diameter).
• For slowpitch: larger 12-inch (sometimes 14-inch) balls.
• Seam: raised or flat, stitched with red thread.
• Cover: White or yellow leather, formed in a figure-eight pattern and stitched with red thread. Other approved materials are acceptable.
• Cores: Can be cork/rubber, or polyurethane.
• Bright yellow “optical” balls are common in competitions.

Bat

• Material: Wood, metal, or composite (e.g., carbon fiber).
• Regulations: Maximum length 86 cm (34 inches), maximum barrel diameter 6 cm (2.25 inches), maximum weight 1.1 kg (38 ounces).
• Preference: Shorter, lighter models are often chosen for higher swing speed.
• Restrictions: Performance-enhancing bats (designed to increase ball speed after contact) are banned by the Amateur Softball Association of America, as it would provide an unfair advantage. All equipment must be approved by the relevant governing sports body.

Gloves

• Material: Specialized leather with a pocket between the thumb and index finger for gripping the ball.
• Color: Colors that blend with the ball are not allowed (especially white for pitchers). 
• Maximum Size: 36 cm (14 inches) as per regulations.
• By Position:
  • Catchers & First Basemen: Larger gloves with deep, soft pockets for catching and absorbing impact.
  • Outfielders: 30–38 cm (12–15 inches) for slowpitch; 30–33 cm (12–13 inches) for fastpitch (to catch long fly balls).
  • Infielders: 28–33 cm (11–13 inches) for agility and quick transfers.
  • Pitchers: 28–33 cm (11–13 inches) for slowpitch; 28–30 cm (11–12 inches) for fastpitch.

Uniform

• All Players: Matching team jersey with number, pants/shorts/skirt, and cap (optional for women). Uniform footwear required.
• Protective Accessories:
  • Sliders (compression shorts) worn under the uniform for protection during slides; may include a protective cup (for men).
  • Padded knee pads to protect knees during slides.
• Footwear: Shoes with spikes permitted; maximum spike length must be 19 mm. Use of metal or hard plastic spikes may be restricted depending on league regulations.
• Requirement: A jersey number on the back is mandatory.

Player Equipment (Batter/Runner)

• Helmet: Mandatory helmet with two ear flaps. Damaged or modified helmets are prohibited.
• Fastpitch (Female – NCAA): Helmets with or without face masks are allowed (face protection is typically used).
• Male (Fastpitch): Face masks are only permitted for medical reasons.
• Catcher: Mandatory helmet + face/neck guard, shin guards, and chest protector.
• Slowpitch (Junior): Helmets and chest protectors are mandatory. Masks are optional for seniors (but recommended).
• All Equipment: Must be in good condition without modifications to ensure maximum safety.

Umpire

The umpire ensures fair play by:

• Composition: Minimum 1 umpire positioned behind home plate to call pitches and plays at home. Major games typically add umpires at first base, third base, or in the outfield.
• Duties: Enforcing rules, evaluating player actions, deciding calls (e.g., strike, ball, out, safe), and communicating for decision consistency.
• Qualifications: Deep rule knowledge, excellent physical condition, high concentration, and conflict management skills. Umpires undergo specialized training, including psychological aspects.

Player Positions

• Infield:

  • Pitcher (P): Throws the ball from the pitcher’s plate/rubber.
  • Catcher (C): Catches the pitcher’s throws behind home plate; defends home plate.
  • First Baseman (1B): Defends first base.
  • Second Baseman (2B): Defends second base; coordinates with the shortstop.
  • Third Baseman (3B): Defends third base.
  • Shortstop (SS): Positions between second and third base.

• Outfield:

  • Left Fielder (LF): Defends the left field area.
  • Center Fielder (CF): Defends the center field area (typically the fastest player).
  • Right Fielder (RF): Defends the right field area.

Game Rules

• Basic Flow

  • Two teams alternate between offense (batting) and defense (fielding) over 7 innings.
  • The offensive team scores runs by hitting the ball and running around the bases to return to home plate.
  • A home run (ball hit out of the playing field) automatically scores a run for the batter and any runners on base.
  • The defensive team must record 3 outs to end the inning and switch roles.

• Outs

  • Strike out: Batter fails to hit after 3 strikes.
  • Force out: Defensive player with the ball touches the base before the runner arrives (when the runner is forced to advance).
  • Fly out / Catch: A batted ball is caught by a defensive player before it touches the ground.
  • Tag out: A runner not on a base is touched with the ball (or glove holding the ball) by a defensive player.

• Determining the Winner

  • The team scoring the most runs after 7 innings wins.
  • Extra innings if the score tied.

International Competition

Before 2013, the Softball World Championships were organized by the International Softball Federation (ISF). This changed after ISF merged with the international baseball governing body, known as the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) after 2013. The WBSC now organizes both the Men’s and Women’s Softball World Championships with their regulations.