Thinking of taking a swing at softball this spring or summer? Softball is so much more than a sport — it’s an exciting game involving teamwork and strategy. Whether you’re new to it or just want a refresher, read on to find out everything you need to know — from the differences between slo-pitch and fast pitch to the key rules and benefits — to help you confidently take your first swing!
What is softball?
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played by two teams of nine players on a diamond-shaped field. It was developed from indoor baseball, which was first played in Chicago in 1887. This means softball has the same fundamentals and similar batting and field strategies as baseball.
There are a range of softball programs available across the country, including recreational, competitive, summer and co-ed leagues. Participating in one or more of them is a great way to make room to move.
Softball vs. baseball
While softball and baseball are alike, there are some key differences between them:
- In softball, the pitcher throws the ball to the batter underhand in a slow-traveling arc, while in baseball, the pitcher throws the ball overhand.
- Softball is played on a smaller field with a larger ball and shorter bat compared to baseball.
- Each softball match lasts for seven innings versus nine innings in baseball.
Softball basics
In every inning, each team gets a turn to play on offense (be up to bat) and defense (be on the field). Each batter enters the batter’s box and gets ready to swing at the ball. The pitcher, who’s on the team playing defense, throws the ball underhand in an arc that slowly travels to home plate, where the batter must decide whether to swing the bat. If the batter swings and misses the ball, or the batter doesn’t swing and the ball is in the strike zone (as determined by the umpire), they get a strike. Any batter that gets three strikes is out.
If the batter doesn’t swing and the ball isn’t within the strike zone, it’s called a “ball”. It’s considered a fair ball if the batter hits the ball forward between the two foul lines, but if they hit the ball outside the foul lines, it’s a foul ball.
If the batter gets four balls or hits a fair ball, then they’re allowed to run to first base. The base runner’s goal is to advance from one base to another until they get back to home plate and score a run. When a batter hits a fair ball over the fences at the back of the outfield, they’ve hit a home run and can run all four bases and score.
Playing defense
There are nine defense positions in softball: pitcher, catcher, first base, second base, short stop, third base, left field, right field and centre field. The overall goal of the team playing defense is to prevent base runners from safely crossing home plate by earning an out through throwing a batter three strikes, catching a hit before a player arrives at a base, or tagging the base runner by touching them with the ball in their glove. After the team on defense gets three outs in an inning, they leave the field and become the offensive team.
Slo-pitch vs. fast pitch softball
Softball is split into two main categories – slo-pitch and fast pitch – each with its own unique characteristics. For example, in slo-pitch, the pitcher must throw the ball underhand in a slow-traveling arc, while in fast pitch, the pitcher still throws the ball underhand but in a straight or flat line with as much speed as possible. This makes slo-pitch ideal for those who are new to softball and fast pitch more suitable for those who have played softball before and want to get back into it.
Let’s put your softball knowledge so far to the test!
The benefits of softball
Like other team sports, playing softball has many physical, mental and social benefits. Physically, it can improve your heart health, coordination and strength. Mentally, playing softball can help you become more resilient when faced with stressful situations because it teaches you how to cope with challenges, setbacks, losses and high-pressure situations.
Since softball is a team sport that requires working together and communicating with others, it’s naturally social and therefore a great way to fall in with an active crowd. It’s not surprising that research reveals a wide range of social benefits linked to participating in team sports like softball, with some of the most commonly reported ones being social interaction, networking, a sense of belonging and emotional social support. The shared wins, losses and challenges help foster the sense of belonging, and the bonds you form through softball could turn into meaningful friendships.
“What I love the most about playing on my slo-pitch team are the friendships I’ve formed and having something to look forward to one night a week during the spring and summer. We play in a beautiful park with a great group of guys who always share lots of stories and laughs at the post-game barbecues.” — Jon Malton, director of partnerships at ParticipACTION
How to take a swing at softball
1. Learn the basics
Before starting your softball journey, it’s important to get familiar with the fundamentals, including how to play, the rules, scoring and the positions. While this blog post covers some of this already, visit Softball Canada’s website to learn more. It’s also a great idea to watch instructional videos to see examples of the techniques and drills, especially if you’re more of a visual learner.
2. Find a local team or league or start your own
Search for recreational leagues through community centers, sport clubs or online platforms like Meetup. If you’re new to softball, many leagues have teams for beginners, or they can put you on a team that matches your skill level. You could also make your own team using online platforms.
3. Get the required equipment
To play softball, you’ll need a glove, bat, suitable footwear, softballs for practice, a helmet and cleats; however, some leagues and clubs provide most or all of this, so check with them first.
4. Practice the fundamentals during the off-season
When the softball season is on pause, practice skills such as accurate throwing, catching with a glove, batting with the correct stance and fielding. You could even get your kid(s) involved and play catch or practice batting with them at a local park or baseball diamond.
Whether you’re looking to make room to move, improve your heart health, become more resilient or make new friends, softball offers something for everyone. By learning the fundamentals, joining a local team and practicing regularly, you’ll be ready to step up to the plate with confidence. So, grab a bat and get ready to knock it out of the park with softball!
To learn more about softball, visit Softball Canada’s website.
