Softball is thought to have originated in Chicago in the 1880s as an indoor version of baseball. In 1895 the first set of rules and equipment for outdoor play was designed and softball received it's official name in 1933. The game spread to other countries during the Second World War. The Australian Women's Softball Council was formed in 1947, and later changed it's name to the Australian Softball Federation. This national body became affiliated with the international Softball Federation in 1953.
Softball is played by both women and men in over 70 countries. There are two types of softball, fast pitch and slow pitch. Fast pitch is by far the most common in Australia and all references in this fact sheet will be to fast pitch.

The Game of Fast Pitch Softball

Softball is played on almost any surface, although grass is the most common. It is played on a field called a diamond, and the field is divided into two areas, the infield and the outfield. The infield is bounded by the home plate and the three bases. The distance between the bases is 18.46m for fast pitch.

A team consists of nine players. A game lasts seven innings for each innings one team will field while the other team bats. The team to score the most runs at the end of the seven innings wins.
Players bat in the order on the scoresheet. The batter stands within the batter's box and the pitcher pitches to the batter. There are two types of pitches, a strike and a ball. A strike is a ball pitched into the strike zone, that the batter does not swing at, or swings and misses, or hits into foul territory. A ball is a ball pitched outside the strike zone and not swung at by the hitter.

Once a batter hits the ball they must run to first base, or beyond. If a batter does not hit the ball on the third strike they are out if the catcher catches the ball, or is the batter is hit by the ball or the ball is bunted into foul territory or fewer than two teammates are out and the first base is occupied; if they are not out they must run to first base before the ball is caught by a player touching first base. If before three strikes are reached four balls have been pitched the batter may walk to first base.

After hitting the ball the batter tries to advance from base to base around the diamond. A batter can only run when the ball is hit into "fair territory", that is the area between the two sides of the diamond from the home plate. A run is scored each time a batter runs around the diamond to the home plate. If a batter runs all the way around the bases as a result of one hit this is referred to as a "home run".
Equipment

The softball has a circumference of 30.5 cm and weighs between 180 to 200 grams. Softball bats must be no longer than 86.3cm and are made of  metal. Other equipment includes a glove for each fielder, a home plate, pitching plate and three bases.

Modified Versions of Softball

Softball has always proved popular with young people and is played extensively throughout Australia. Over 85% of primary schools include the modified game of softball in sport programs. Modified softball resembles softball more closely than does the game of Tee Ball (modified baseball) because batters are required to hit a pitched ball in Modified Softball in Tee Ball the ball is placed on a "Tee" at waist height and struck from this stationary position.

The rules of Modified Softball are flexible to encourage greater participation and enjoyment. Modified Softball is one of the games designed by the AUSSIE SPORT Program at the Australian Sports Commission.
 

How Does Softball Differ From Baseball ?

Softball is based on baseball but there are a few basic differences. The ball used in softball is bigger, though not as the name would suggest softer. In baseball the ball is pitched overarm and from an elevated pitcher's mound. The diamond in softball is smaller than in baseball, and there are only seven innings, as compared to nine innings in baseball.
 
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