Editing Softball (section)

==Overview==

=== Field ===
[[File:Softball game.webm|thumb|A softball game]]
Fastpitch softball is played between two teams on a large field, with nine players (in 10u and above; 8u and below is usually played with ten players on a field at once) from one team on the field at a time. Slow-pitch softball is played with ten fielders but can be played with nine if needed.

The softball field is usually composed of a dirt or brick dust [[infield]] that contains the shape and running areas of a diamond and a grass [[outfield]]. However, the field can consist of other solid and dry surfaces such as artificial turf or asphalt. There are four [[#The field|bases]] on the infield: [[First base]], [[second base]], [[third base]], and [[home plate]]. The bases are arranged in a square and are typically {{convert|60|ft|m|abbr=}} apart. Near the center of this square is the [[#The field|pitcher's circle]], and within the circle is the "rubber", a small flat rectangular plate a foot and a half in length. The rubber distance from the plate in fastpitch can be as short as 35 feet for 10u players up to 43 feet for ages 14 and older.<ref>{{cite web|last=USSA Softball |date=2020-01-01 |title=USSA Fastpitch Rules |url=https://usssa.com/docs/2020/FPRB_Online_revised_011620.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517002307/https://usssa.com/docs/2020/FPRB_Online_revised_011620.pdf |archive-date=2021-05-17 |access-date=2022-04-06 |website=USSA Fastpitch Rules}}</ref> In slow pitch softball, the rubber distance can be 43, 46 or 50 feet depending on age level and the league one is playing in.

=== Game structure ===
The object of the game is to score more [[#Scoring runs|runs]] (points) than the other team by [[batting (baseball)|batting]] (hitting) a ball into play and running around the bases, touching each one in succession. The ball is a sphere of light material, covered with leather or synthetic material. It is {{convert|11|to(-)|12|in|cm|abbr=}} (or, rarely, {{cvt|16|in|cm|disp=or|sp=us}}<ref name=chicagopedia>{{cite web|url=http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1163.html|title=Softball, 16-Inch |author=Austen, Jacob |year=2005 |access-date=2007-10-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808025819/http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1163.html |archive-date=2007-08-08}}</ref>) in circumference. The game is officiated by one or more neutral [[umpires]]. Players and umpires are generally free to ask for a brief stoppage at any time when the ball is not in play (called a time out), or immediately following a play once its outcome is clear.

The game is played in usually seven [[innings]]. Each inning is divided into a [[Inning#Baseball|top half]], in which the away team bats and tries to score runs, while the home team occupies the field and tries to record three [[out (baseball)|outs]]; then a [[Inning#Baseball|bottom half]], when the teams' roles are reversed. Some leagues play with a reduced number of innings or with a time limit, rather than the traditional seven innings.

=== Batting and pitching ===
[[File:Strike zone en.JPG|thumb|The strike zone hovers above home plate, varying in dimensions based on the batter's height.]]
To start play, the offense sends a [[Batter (baseball)|batter]] to [[home plate]]. The [[batting order (baseball)|batting order]] must be fixed at the start of the game, and players may not bat out of turn. The defense's [[pitcher]] stands atop the rubber and [[Pitch (baseball)|pitches]] the ball towards home plate using an underhand motion. In fast pitch, the pitcher is allowed to take one step back prior to releasing the ball during the forward movement. The batter attempts to hit the pitched ball with a [[Baseball bat|bat]], a long, round, smooth stick made of [[wood]], [[metal]] or [[composite material|composite]]. The pitcher will use all types of pitches when on the mound to try and strike out the batter. A list of different pitches one might throw consists of a fastball, changeup, riseball, dropball, curveball and skrewball. If the pitcher throws three [[Strike (baseball)|strikes]] against a batter, then the batter is out and the next batter in the order comes up to bat. A strike is recorded any time a batter swings at and misses a pitch or when a batter hits a ball [[Foul ball|foul]] (out of play). A strike is also recorded any time the batter does not swing at a [[Pitch (baseball)|pitch]] that crosses home plate within an area known as the [[strike zone]]. In fast pitch, to be within the strike zone, the pitch must cross over home plate, and as it crosses it must be above the knees and slightly below the shoulders (roughly the armpit or the shirt logo). The strike zone therefore varies from batter to batter. In slow pitch, the ball must land on a carpet or marked area behind the plate, therefore standardizing the strike zone. A pitch outside the strike zone is a [[Ball (baseball statistics)|ball]]. If the batter reaches four balls, the batter is awarded the first base in what is known as a "walk". The umpire behind home plate is the sole arbiter of balls and strikes. A foul ball may or may not result in a strikeout dependent upon what association and local league rules. However, [[Bunt (baseball)|bunting]] a foul ball does result in a strikeout. In some associations and leagues, bunting is not allowed and results in an out. Also, if a player has two strikes, swinging and partially hitting the ball can result in an out if the catcher manages to catch the tipped ball.

=== Ball in play ===
The batter attempts to swing the bat and hit the ball [[fair ball|fair]] (into the field of play). After a successful hit the batter becomes a [[baserunner|base runner]] (or runner) and must run to first base. The defense attempts to [[baseball field|field]] the ball and may throw the ball freely between players, so one player can field the ball while another moves to a position to put out the runner. The defense can [[tag out|tag]] the runner, by touching the runner with the ball while the runner is not on a base. The defense can also touch first base while in possession of the ball; in this case it is sufficient to beat the batter to first base and an actual tag of the batter is unnecessary. A runner is said to be "thrown out" when the play involves two or more defensive players. Runners generally cannot be put out when touching a base, but only one runner may occupy a base at any time and runners may not pass each other. When a ball is batted into play, runners generally must attempt to advance if there are no open bases behind them; for example, a runner on first base must run to second base if the batter puts the ball in play. In such a situation, the defense can throw to the base that the lead runner is attempting to take (a [[Force play|force out]]), and the defense can then also throw to the previous base. This can result in a multiple-out play: a [[double play]] is two outs, while a [[triple play]], a very rare occurrence, is three outs. Runners with an open base behind them are not forced to advance and do so at their own risk; the defense must tag such runners directly to put them out rather than tagging the base.

A ball hit in the air and caught before hitting the ground, in fair or foul territory, puts the batter out. A fly ball is a ball hit high and deep, a [[pop fly]] is a ball hit high but short, and a [[line drive]] is a ball hit close to the horizontal. After the catch, runners must return to their original bases; if the defense throws the ball to that base before the runner returns, the runner is out as well, resulting in a double play. A runner who remains on the base until the ball is touched, or returns to the base ([[Tag up|tags up]]) after the catch, may try to advance to the next base, at the risk of being tagged out between bases. As in baseball, the [[infield fly rule]] applies in some game situations to prevent the defense from recording multiple force outs by deliberately dropping an easy catch.

Offensive strategy is mostly just to hit the ball skillfully to let the batter reach base and advance other runners around the bases to score runs. The count of balls and strikes indicates how aggressive the batter should be. The offense may try to [[sacrifice]], with the batter deliberately making an out in order to advance runners. Defensive strategy is more complex, as particular situations (number of outs and positions of base-runners) and particular batters call for different positioning of fielders and different tactical decisions. The defense may decide to allow a run if it can achieve one or multiple outs.