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     Two teams of nine players compete in a fast pitch softball game. (In slow pitch softball games, teams use ten players, with the tenth player acting as an extra short outfielder.) Softball games are played on a field divided between an infield and an outfield. The infield, called the “diamond,” is where the four bases are located. Players in the field include three outfielders, four infielders, one pitcher, and one catcher.  Substitutions may take place anytime that the ball is not in play. Once substituted, however, a player may not reenter the game. Pitcher - Throws the softball from the center of the diamond. Facing the batter, with both feet on the “pitching plate,” and both hands on the ball, The pitcher uses an underarm motion to fast pitch the ball toward the “strike zone.” While releasing the softball toward home plate, he or she may step forward off the pitching plate, but must keep his or her back foot on the pitching plate until the ball has left her hand. After making the pitch, the pitcher gets ready to field balls hit up the middle of the infield. Catcher - Plays in a semi-crouched position directly behind home plate and catches the ball thrown by the pitcher. He or she also covers home plate on fielding plays when runners try to score. First Baseman - Positioned just to the left of the first base bag. His or her main roles are to make fielding plays on balls hit toward first base and to cover the base on “force plays” when batters approach. Second Baseman - Plays in the gap between the bag at second and the first baseman. He or she fields “grounders” and “pop ups” hit to this side of the infield, covers second when runners approach, and relays throws from the outfielders. Shortstop-Plays between second and third base and fields the balls hit to this area of the infield. He or she covers second base (along with the second baseman) and is often involved in force plays and “double plays” with the second baseman. Third Baseman - Plays to the left of third base and covers any plays there. He or she is responsible for fielding softballs hit down the third base line. Outfielders (Left, Right, and Center) - Positioned beyond the infield, they catch and field “fly balls,” line drives, and ground balls hit into the outfield. They usually have strong throwing arms to quickly get the ball back to the infield and prevent runners from advancing. Entire contents copyright © 1997-2006, MomsGuide.com , Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form for commercial re-use without prior written permission is forbidden. “Mom’s Guide to Sports” is a registered trademark of MomsGuide.com, Inc. |
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