1. SOFTBALL

2. By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
Demonstrate proper technique for various skills used in the game of softball.
Display an understanding of basic offensive and defensive strategies for game play.
Understand basic terminology used in the game of softball.
Identify lines and areas of the field.
Understand basic softball rules.

3. HISTORY OF SOFTBALL
George Hancock has been given credit for inventing the game of softball in Chicago on Thanksgiving Day, 1887.
The very first game was played indoors and used a broken off broom handle for the bat and a tied up boxing glove that resembled a ball.

4. FACTS ABOUT THE GAME OF SOFTBALL
In the beginning, softball as we know it today was played under several different names (Diamond Ball, Kitten Ball, Mush Ball, Pumpkin Ball, and Recreation Ball).
The first softball league was organized in Minnesota in 1900.
The game was officially named softball in 1926.
Woman’s fast pitch softball became a full medal sport in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

5. BATS - BALL - GLOVES - CATCHERS EQUIPMENT
SOFTBALL EQUIPMENT
BATS - BALL - GLOVES - CATCHERS EQUIPMENT

6. Softball Field Terminology
Pitchers plate -
In field -
Out field -
Right foul line -
Left foul line -
Batters box -
Home plate -
Bases -

7. SOFTBALL FIELD

8. Softball Positions / In-Field
Pitcher
Catcher
1st baseman
2nd baseman
3rd baseman
Shortstop

9. Softball Positions / Out-Field
Left fielder
Center fielder
Right fielder
Rover (slow pitch only)

10. Softball Rules - General
Two teams take turns playing in the field and batting. One inning is completed when both teams have a chance to bat.
Softball games are usually 7 innings long.
Each team gets 3 outs in their half of the inning (6 outs in a full inning)
The players on the team bat in a specified order (batting order)

11. Softball “OUTS” A ball is caught before it touches the ground.
A ground ball is fielded and thrown to first base.
A fielder holding a ball touches a base that a base runner is advancing to (with runners on the previous base).
A base runner is not touching a base and is tagged by a fielder.
A base runner leaves a base and does not get back to that base before a caught fly ball is thrown to that base.
A strike out, or when a third strike is fouled off.

12. Softball - Batting
Each batter gets four balls and three strikes (a ball being a bad pitch, a strike being a good pitch).
If a batter swings at a pitch, it is called a strike.
It is a strike in the pitched ball lands on the back half of the plate or lands on the extension behind the plate.
A batter is out if the third strike is fouled off down either foul line.
A batter cannot bunt in slow pitch softball.

13. Softball - Pitching
The pitcher must begin the pitch with one foot on the pitching plate.
The pitch must reach an arc of between 6 and 12 feet from the ground in slow pitch softball.
For a pitch to be called a strike, it must be between 6 and 12 feet at its peak and cross home plate between the batter’s shoulders and knees.
An illegal pitch (not enough arc) is automatically called a ball.

14. Softball - Base Running
A base runner can over run 1st base and home plate.
A base runner cannot lead off base, must stay on base until the ball is hit by the next batter.
No stealing bases in slow pitch softball.
When the ball is hit on the ground, a base runner is forced to run to the next base provided all bases behind the base runner are occupied.
When a team has no out or 1 out and the ball is hit in the air, the base runners should not run.

15. Softball - Fielding
The fielding team need to get 3 outs before they get to bat.
The fielding team can get a force out by stepping on any base that a base runner is forced to advance to.
The fielding team can get a non-force out by tagging a base runner that is not forced to run to the next base.
Any fly ball that is caught is an out.
The fielding team can get a double play (2 outs) by catching a fly ball and throwing the ball to a base where a base runner has left.

16. Softball Terminology
Base on balls - when a batter receives four ball and is awarded 1st base.
Batting order - the order in which a team must come to bat.
Count - the number of balls and strikes
Defensive team - the team in the field
Double play - when 2 base runners are called out on one play
Fly ball - any ball hit into the air
Foul ball - a ball batted outside the fair territory.

17. Softball Terminology Cont.
Full count - 3 balls and 2 strikes on the batter
Grounder - a batted ball hit on the ground.
Infield - fair territory within the base paths.
Offensive team - the team at bat
Out field - the fair territory beyond the infield.
Strike zone - any part of home plate between the batters shoulder and knees when using a normal batting stance.
Tag - to touch a base runner with the ball

18. IT’S HOW YOU PLAY THE GAME!
SPORTSMANSHIP
IT’S HOW YOU PLAY THE GAME!