Rules of softball
This is only a short summary of the rules. A longer version is available on request.
BATTING
3 strikes (i.e. good pitches or bad pitches that you swing at) and
you're out. If you hit a ball and it is goes into foul territory, it is
a strike. You cannot be out under the 3 strikes rule on a foul hit (one
more though, and you are out). 4 "balls" (i.e. bad pitches) and you get
to walk to first base. Other players advance one base if necessary to
make room for the walker. If you hit the ball and it is not foul, you
must run. Remember, you can be caught out even if the ball is falling
into foul territory. Don't throw the bat when you run (you can be given
out), but do remember to let go of it. Make sure you keep your feet in
the batter's box on the appropriate side of the plate (depending on
whether you are left or right handed).
WALKING
If a batter walks, the next batter up can also elect to walk, in which
case other players on bases advance one base (but only if necessary to
make room). This will be a good idea if the next batter is not a "big
hitter".
RUNNING
No sliding onto first base. You can overrun first base and cannot be
tagged out. Also, you cannot be tagged on your way to first base. You
can overshoot first base but not the others; for all other bases you
must be standing on the actual base to be safe, so keep a foot on the
base you are standing on when the ball is in play and especially when
you first get there. Unlike baseball and some forms of softball, no
'stealing' is permitted. Touch all bases as you run past them. If you
miss any, you can be given out.
UNFORCED AND FORCED RUNNING
If you are running to a base (other than first base) and there is no one
running from the base behind you, you are "unforced" and CANNOT be base
tagged (i.e. the fielder MUST tag you with the ball or with the glove
that the ball is in, the logic being that you can always run back to the
vacant base behind you). If you are unforced, you do not need to run to
the next base, so stay where you are if you want to. If there is
someone right behind you, you are "forced" and will need to run if they
do, unless you are sure they will be out.
TAGGING UP
If a batter is caught out (this rule ONLY applies to catches), the other
batters MUST return to the base they were on before the ball was hit.
You can be tagged on the way back, so you may want to stay on or near
the base if the ball is hit in the air. Once back there, if the ball has
been caught you can then decide whether to run on or not. If you run
when another team member hits a ball in the air, get ready to run back
to your base. Don't go too far, as even if you make it home, you will
STILL need to get back to your base. If the ball is not caught, and you
are forced to run, you will then have to try to get to the next base.
Please make sure you know this rule, as more than one person can be out
off one hit (hence "double play" and "triple play"). This is the rule
that is most often forgotten.
PITCHING
The ball must arc between 6 and 12 feet in the air and cross the plate
between the batter's knee and shoulder and between the two batter's
boxes (i.e. over the plate at a hittable height). Do not attempt to hit
it if it looks dodgy. If you swing at any pitch it's automatically a
strike.
FIELDING
There are 10 fielders (3 on bases, a short-stop, 4 in the outfield, a
catcher on home plate, and a pitcher). One additional player can be
chosen as a designated hitter and doesn't field. Positioning: No
standing inside the diamond until the ball is hit. Outfielders should be
30ft away from the bases (pay attention to this when a weak batter is
up). Outfielders must not "overshift" - 2 should be on the left and two
on the right, without overlapping each other. Officially you cannot
change positions once an inning begins. If you are fielding at a base,
for safety reasons you should stand off the base unless the ball is
coming to you.
If you are on a base, you may want to remind any over zealous
base-runners that they should have a foot on the base until the ball is
HIT (not pitched). It's hard to get someone out running to a base if
they are already halfway there before the ball is hit.
Try and call for the ball if you are going for a catch to avoid
confusion, and don't forget you can get someone out by catching a foul
ball (applies particularly to the catcher and 1st and 3rd basemen).
Watch out for runners who don't "tag up" after a batter is caught out.
Throw the ball to the base they just left, and they will be out (see
TAGGING UP above).
Play does NOT stop when the ball is caught or someone is run or tagged
out (unless it's the third out of the inning). Runners can still run
until the ball is back with the pitcher.
OVERTHROWS
If a fielder overthrows far enough into foul territory, runners get to
advance to the base they are going to PLUS ONE. Watch out for this. If
the overthrow is in fair territory, the ball is still in play, so
runners advance at their own risk. Technically, the ball is still in
play until the pitcher gets it back and time is called.
FAIR/FOUL
If the ball goes outside the diamond in the infield AT ANY POINT, it is
a foul ball. If the ball stays fair in the infield but rolls out of the
outfield, it is fair i.e. the initial position counts.
SPORTMANSHIP AND SAFETY
Keep it clean, watch the language and try not to injure the other side
or yourself. Remember that you can be given out for dangerous play.
This includes sliding to first base or throwing the bat rather than
dropping it. During the Tournament a player can be disqualified after
one warning (for the whole day).
Pitch Map
Click on the image to open the full size map
