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Softball Study Guide

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Softball Study Guide SOFTBALL STUDY GUIDE History: Softball was invented in 1887, in Chicago by George Hancock. He invented the game as a form of indoor baseball on a cold winter day inside the warm Farragut Boat Club. The game: -An official team consists of 10 players. -A regulation game is 7 innings. An inning consists of a turn at bat (3 outs) for each team. A game can end at the end of 6 ½ innings if the home team has more runs. -Once the batting order has been established, you cannot bat out of turn. -The infield is that part of the field, which is included within the diamond, made by the baseline. -The outfield is that part of the field which is outside the diamond formed by the baselines and within the foul lines beyond first and third bases and the boundary of the grounds. Fielding Positions: Pitcher – The pitcher delivers underhand pitches, with an arc, along with backing up the catcher and the first baseman. Catcher – The catcher is behind home and is responsible for catching all balls thrown by the pitcher, along with pop up foul balls in the catcher’s area. They are responsible for plays at home. First Baseman- The first baseman plays behind the baseline, if no one is on first, and takes all of the throws at first, unless they are fielding a ball, which takes them away from the base. Second Baseman – The second baseman plays behind the baseline, and covers the area between first and second base and is the back up for first if the first baseman is fielding a ball. They are a back up for a throw to second if the short center is fielding a short pop up, or there is a grounder on the left side of the base, which takes them away from the base. The second baseman is the cut off man for a long hit ball to right field. Third Baseman – The third baseman plays behind the baseline and covers the area around 3rd base and takes the throws to third. They are positioned behind the baseline. Shortstop – The shortstop plays behind the baseline, and covers the area between 2nd and 3rd base. The shortstop will back up the third baseman and the short center. The shortstop is the cut off man for a long hit ball to left field. Short center – The short center is the added player from baseball. They play directly behind second base. They will take most of the throws at second, unless they are going after a short pop up. The short center is the cut off man for a long hit ball to center field. Left fielder – This player plays in the outfield behind the shortstop. They back up the third baseman, the shortstop and the center fielder. Center fielder – The center fielder covers the outfield behind second base. They back up the right and left fielder, and the short center. They have to cover the most distance. Right fielder – The right fielder covers the outfield between first and second base. They back up the first and second baseman, and the center fielder. The ball is in play: - after a fly ball, either fair or foul, has been legally caught. - after base runners have reached the bases to which they are entitled. - as soon as the ball has been hit. - any time it is in fair territory, and not in the pitcher hands. The ball is not in play: - when a batter is hit by a pitched ball (this is not a walk). - when a foul ball is not legally caught. - when there is interference with a fielder or batter. - when a runner leaves the base too soon. - when the ball is in the pitchers hands. A batter becomes a base runner: - instantly after the ball has been hit in fair territory. - after 4 balls have been pitched. - if a fair ball strikes the umpire or base runner on fair ground. A batter is out: - if the fielders get a force or tag play. - if the hit is a foul pop up (at least 10 feet high) and it is caught. - if they bunt (in 16 inch slow pitch rules). - after three strikes. - if they get hit by the batted ball out of the box. - if they step out of the box to hit the ball. -if they run more than three feet out of the baseline to avoid being tagged. A base runner is out if: - the baseman touches the base before the runner does on a force play. - tagged with the ball before reaching the base. - they get hit with the batted ball before it touches a fielder. - they lead off before the pitcher pitches the ball. - they pass a runner who is in front of them. - on a close play (when a baseman is receiving the throw) they do not slide. *In class we do not slide. - they steal a base. - they do not touch the bases in the proper order. Terms: Ball – A pitch that is not over the plate between the batters armpits and knees. Baseline - An imaginary line between the bases. Batting order – This is the order of the offensive batters. Once it is established it cannot be changed for the rest of the game. Double play – When two outs are made on a single batted ball. Earned run – A run that is scored without the act of an error. Fair ball - A ball that is hit and settles on the field between the first and third baseline. If a hit ball goes over first or third base, and then goes foul, it is considered a fair ball. Foul ball - It is a foul ball if the ball is hit on foul ground between home and 1st base or between home and 3rd base. Foul tip – It is a batted ball that does not rise higher than the batter’s head, and is caught by the catcher. A strike is called, the ball remains in play, and base runners may advance at their on risk. Force play - When the runner must advance because someone is coming to his or her base, the baseman only has to tag the base while holding the ball. Infield fly rule - When there are less than two outs, and there are runners on first and second, or first, second and third, a pop up hit on the infield is an automatic out. This does not have to be caught. This rule protects the batting team from getting a double play. Inning – One turn at bat for each team. On deck – This is the next batter. Over run – To run past the base after touching it. You can do this on first, but you must turn into foul territory to come back to the base without risk of being put out. If the runner makes a turn to the inside of the baseline, they can be tagged out. Overthrow - When on any play which starts from a batted ball, the ball is overthrown into foul territory at 1st, 3rd, or home and goes beyond the baseman. If the ball is out of play (marked by the dug outs) the runner may advance one base without the threat of being played on; and if it is within play (in front of the dug outs), the runner may advance as many bases as they want, but can be played on. Strike- A ball that passes over the plate, with an arc, and is between the batters armpits and knees. It is a strike if: - a player swings and misses the ball. - a batter hits a foul ball. - a batter hits a foul pop up that is not caught. - a batter hits a foul tip that goes directly to the catcher. Tag play: When the runner is not forced to advance to the next base, because of a base runner coming behind them, it is a tag play. The runner in this situation could turn around and go back to the base they were coming from if the baseman has the ball. Tag up – A base runner can tag hold up at the base and advance, at the risk of being out, after a fly ball is caught. A DIAGRAM OF THE SOFTBALL FIELD www.mightymuppets.com/aboutsoftball.htm .
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