Softball Study Guide

SOFTBALL 12” & 16”

History - Softball has originated from several different games. It resembles the English games rounders and crickets, as well as the popular American game of baseball. Softball was officially invented on Thanksgiving of 1887 at the Farragut Boat Club in Chicago Illinois, by George Hancock. It was played like baseball, except a broomstick was used for a bat and a boxing glove was the ball. Since the game was played indoors, it was originally called "indoor." Walter Hakanson later renamed it "softball." As the sport developed and grew the ASA (Amateur Softball Association) was developed in 1933 to help promote the sport. The 12” and 16” title refers to the circumference of the ball. Game - Softball is played on a diamond shaped field by two equal teams of 10 players (for 16” slow pitch), or 9 players (for 12” fast pitch). One team bats while the other team is out in the field. The team up to bat attempts to hit the ball in fair territory to move their team around the bases and score runs. A run is scored when a player moves around all four bases without getting out. The team out in the field attempts to get the batter or the runners on the bases out. An out can be made by doing a number of different things that will be explained later in the study guide. After three outs have been made the teams switch from batting to the field. When both teams are finished batting and playing the field this is called an inning. An official softball game last 7 innings. The team that has the most runs after seven innings wins the game. Rules: A fair ball occurs when - a. The ball lands inside the third or first baseline in the infield or outfield. b. The ball touches first or third base.

A strike occurs when - a. The ball is pitched over home plate in the strike zone (between the knees and armpits of the batter) and the batter does not swing. b. The batter swings and misses a pitch. c. The batter hits a foul ball that is not caught by the fielding team.

The batter makes an out when - a. Does not follow the batting order. b. Makes three strikes. c. Prevents a fielder from catching the ball. d. Bunts foul after two strikes. e. The batter hits a foul tip that is hit above the catchers’ head and is caught. d. Is hit with their own-batted ball outside the batters box.

The base runner is out when - a. If a fair ball is fielded and thrown to first base before the runner reaches the base. b. If they are tagged when off base except over running first base. c. A batted ball hits the runner in fair territory. d. They interfere with a fielder trying to make a play. e. They do not return to base after a fly ball is caught before the ball reaches the base (tag-up). f. They run out of the base line. g. They are forced out. h. They are not on the base when the pitcher pitches the ball. Vocabulary: Error - A misplay by a fielder allowing the base runner to advance or be safe on an otherwise sure out. Double Play - Two successive outs executed during a single play. Force out - a play where the fielding team can make an out by just throwing the ball to a base with out tagging the runner. Inning - Each team has had a turn playing at bat and in the field. Tag-Up - A base running play where the runner goes back to the base on a fly ball, waits for the ball to be caught, and than attempts to advance to the next base. Grand Slam - A home run that is hit when the bases are loaded scoring four runs. Fly Ball - A ball that is hit up in the air in fair territory. Ground Ball - A ball that is hit and rolls in fair territory. Clean Up- The fourth position in the batting line up. Proper Throwing Technique: 1. Grip the ball with your fingers, not the palm of the hand. 2. Step forward with the opposite foot and follow through to where you want to throw.

Proper Technique for Fielding Ground Balls: 1. Get in a good ready position with your feet spread apart and knees bent. 2. When the ball is hit, position yourself so the ball is heading right at you. Before the ball gets to you, put your glove on the ground and watch it roll into the glove. Once the ball is in the glove, come up and make the throw.

Proper Technique for Fielding Fly Balls: 1. Position yourself so you are right underneath the ball. 2. When the ball comes down, catch it above your head so you have time to still catch the ball if it pops out of your glove. 3. When the ball falls into the glove, place your other hand over the opening of the glove. This helps stop the ball from popping out of your glove.

Proper Base Running Techniques: 1. Always know how many outs there are and be thinking about what you’re going to do if the ball is hit. 2. A runner on first base must always run on a ground ball. 3. A runner should always run on any kind of hit with two outs. 4. Only run on a fly ball if you know it will be a safe hit. If you’re not sure if a fly ball is going to be caught, tag-up unless there are two outs. 5. If all the bases behind you are filled you must run on a ground ball. 6. If a line drive is hit make sure it drops for a hit before running.

Proper Pitching Techniques: 1. Both feet must start on the pitching plate. 2. Underhand pitch. 12 inch softball - A. Fast pitch. B. Thrown in a slingshot or windmill technique and released at the hip. 16 inch softball - A. Slow pitch. B. Thrown in an arch at least 6 feet high and no higher than 12 feet.

Softball Field Dimensions and Player Positions:

Center Field X 60’ Short Center Left Field (16” only) Right Field X X X Short Stop X X 2nd Base

X 3rd Base X 1st Base 60’ 60’ 40 X ’ Pitcher

60’ X Catcher