|
1-
History & Object
2-
The Essentials (Offense
& Defense, Scoring,
Etc.)
3- Field
Diagram and Positions
4-
Glossary of Softball Terms
Field of Play
Softball is played on
a large grass and dirt
field. The field includes
fair
territory inside the
two foul lines and foul
territory outside
the foul lines. Softball
fields have some common
characteristics:
Bases: A softball
“diamond” consists
of four bases placed in
a square. The bases are
1st base, 2nd
base, 3rd base, and home
plate.
Infield: The
area around the four bases,
the surface of which is
generally grass and packed
dirt.
Outfield: The
grassy area beyond the
infield.
Foul lines: Two
lines (first and third
base line) that distinguish
fair territory from foul
territory. A ball that
hits the foul line is
called fair.
Foul poles: Poles
stationed at the end of
each foul line to distinguish
fair territory from foul
territory for balls hit
over the outfield fence.
A ball that hits the foul
pole is a home
run.
Pitcher’s mound:
The raised area in the
middle of the diamond
from which the pitcher
throws the ball.
Batter’s box:
Box marked with chalk
near home plate that a
batter must stay within
while batting.
Positions
Two teams compete in
each softball game. Nine
players man the field,
while nine batters hit
in a predetermined order
for each team, know as
the “batting order”
or “lineup.”
The players who have defensive
positions, often called
“fielders,”
are the same ones that
bat during the other half
of the inning. The nine
defensive positions can
be grouped into two general
categories: infielders
and outfielders.
Infielders
Pitcher: Pitches the
ball from the pitcher’s
mound to the catcher.
Catcher: Crouches
behind home plate and
receives pitches thrown
by the pitcher. Also receives
throws from fielders attempting
to make outs at home plate.
First baseman: “Fields,”
or defends, balls hit
near the 1st base line.
Receives throws from fielders
attempting to make outs
at 1st base.
Second baseman: Fields
balls hit near 2nd
base. Receives throws
from fielders attempting
to make outs at 2nd base.
Often involved in a double-play.
Third baseman: Fields
balls hit near the 3rd
base line. Receives throws
from other fielders attempting
to make outs at 3rd base.
Shortstop: Fields
balls hit between the
second baseman and third
baseman. Covers 2nd base
when the ball is hit to
the second baseman.
Outfielders
Three
outfielders — left
fielder ,
center fielder and
right fielder —
attempt to catch balls
hit into their portion
of the outfield. Balls
hit to the outfield are
generally ground balls
or fly balls hit past
the infield.
Other
Some teams also use
a designated player that
bats for one fielder and
does not play a position
on the field. Other positions
include substitute players
who may be introduced,
called “pinch hitters”
who replace a batter,
or “pinch runners”
who replace a base runner.
Once a player has been
substituted, she may not
return.
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