*Basics of Softball

*Basics of Softball*

The average softball field has a dirt infield and a grass outfield. The dimensions of the bases in the infield are 60 feet from each other and the pitchers mound is 40 feet away from home plate in fast-pitch and 46 feet in slow-pitch. In the outfield the fence is about 200 feet deep on the left and right sides and about 205 feet deep in center field.

T-ball is how many girls start learning softball

Bunting is the most popular way to get on base other than hitting

Batting is generally the same in slow-pitch and fast-pitch. The strike zone is from your knees to your chest/ribs. There are also batting stances you can use to hit the ball in certain places. If you would want to hit the ball to center you would place your feet parallel to each other in the batter’s box. If you would want to hit the ball to left you’d have your right foot higher than your left in the box, like a slant. To hit to right field is the exact opposite then to hit to left. You would have your left foot higher than your right in the box. Also in fast-pitch softball there are other types of hitting, such as slap-hitting, and bunting.

		The game of softball is played with 3 outs and 7 innings. If a game is tied after the 7 full innings then the game can go into extra innings. When a team is batting they can get rather a walk which is 4 pitched balls, a strike out which is 3 strikes or a hit. In Fast-pitch if you are hit by a ball it’s an automatic walk depending on the hit area and how hard you were hit.
		If you are hit in fast-pitch with a ball, on your way down the first base line you can run directly to second. To do this you have to be very fast. After you hit, or walk when you get to rather 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd base you can lead up to 4 feet.

Infielders should always be ready when the ball is hit

Positions are the key to a great team. Having the players in the right spot can make your team a champion team. There are 9 positions on the field and they all have jobs.

Outfielders should always be ready when the ball is hit

-The pitcher’s job is to pitch, cover first base and home plate on certain plays, and stop hard grounds balls up the middle and small fly balls in the circle/ pitchers mound area.

This catcher is trying to stop the runner from scoring

-Catchers jobs are to catch the pitches that come over the plate, cover home when needed on certain plays, catch short pop-ups, Also keep runners at bay at first and second from stealing.

	-First and second base need to work together. They both need to cover their bases when needed and stop balls from getting through the right side. They both also need to catch fly balls and make forced outs. Normally the first baseman is tall and can stretch for balls thrown to them. Second also needs to be a cut off for the outfielders on the right side.
	-Shortstop and Third also need to work together. They also have to stop ground and fly balls from getting through on the left side. They also need to cover their bases when needed and make forced outs. Shortstop has to be the cutoff for the left side outfielders.
	-Outfielders need to stop all balls from getting past them, rather ground balls, fly balls or line drives. As soon as they get the ball they need to throw it to the cutoff, if they are the Right outfielder they need to throw the ball to the second baseman, Left outfielder needs to throw it to the Shortstop and Center needs to throw it to the Second base itself (shortstop covering).

		Stealing is how most teams win games. To steal you star off leading off the base you are on. After the pitcher releases the ball you can take off to the next base and slide. Most steals are outs if you don’t slide. Many steals are run when a wild pitch is thrown or a coach tells you to.