Softball
A relative of baseball on a tighter field: the pitch comes underhand, the game runs seven innings, and the ball is bigger rather than softer.
Softball resembles baseball closely enough that the difference reads like a list of amendments. The same diamond, the same bases, the same outs — but everything is nearer, and the game moves faster for it.
The name misleads twice over. The ball is not soft, it is simply bigger; and being bigger it travels more slowly and does not carry as far, which is what lets the game fit on a tight field.
Nearer means faster
The bases stand 18.29 m apart rather than baseball's ninety feet, and the pitcher works from 13.11 m in women's categories and 14.02 m in men's.
The batter has less time to react than in baseball, and this with the ball delivered underhand. Hence seven innings rather than nine: the game is denser, and there is no need to stretch it.
The underhand pitch
The central difference, from which the rest follows. Baseball is pitched overhand and the ball accelerates downward; here the delivery comes from below, and the ball arrives on an entirely different path.
is the discipline in which that delivery is made at full speed. It is what international softball is.
Softball Field
Under these rules: Bases 18.29 m apart; the pitching distance depends on the category.
A diamond with bases 18.29 m apart and the pitch delivered from 13.11 or 14.02 m.
The field is markedly tighter than a baseball field, and that changes everything: the pitcher stands closer, there is less time to react, and the run between bases is shorter.
Bat
Under these rules: One per batter.
A bat shorter and lighter than a baseball bat.
The pitch comes underhand and from a shorter distance, so the bat is built for a quicker swing.
Softball
Under these rules: One ball in play.
A ball larger than a baseball, whatever the name says.
The name misleads: the ball is not soft. It is simply bigger, and so it travels more slowly and does not carry as far — which is what lets the game fit on a tight field.
Glove
Under these rules: One glove per fielder.
A glove sized for the larger ball.
It differs from a baseball glove in the depth of the pocket: the ball is bigger, and the glove is deeper for it.
The rules of fast pitch softball
The field
The distance from home to first and third base is 18.29 m.
The is 13.11 m in women's categories and 14.02 m in men's.
Innings
A full game consists of seven innings.
A full seven innings need not be played if the home team is already ahead when its half of the last inning is not required.
A tie
A game tied at the end of seven innings continues under the tie-breaker procedure set out in the code.
Play
The offence sends batters up in a declared order; the defence puts them out. Three outs end a half-inning.
A run is scored when a runner has legally passed all the bases and returned home.
Worth knowing
Only fast pitch is written here — the international format the Olympic tournament is played under. Softball also has slow pitch and modified pitch; those are disciplines of the same game with codes of their own, and they are not described here.
Sources
- Official Rules of Softball 2026-2029 — Fast Pitch · World Baseball Softball Confederation Open source
Glossary of terms
- Fast pitch
- The discipline in which the pitcher delivers underhand at full speed. The main international format.
- Pitching distance
- The distance from the pitcher's plate to home: 13.11 m for women and 14.02 m for men.