If you have recently developed interest in the game of softball then there are some basic beginner level rules that you need to know in order to get yourself in the game.
The rules that we are going to highlight below are all listed under the rules of 3 of the most prestigious organizations in softball – United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), the National Softball Association, Inc. (NSA), and the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA).
Slowpitch softball equipment
- The bat used for playing slowpitch softball need to be approved from the respective league you are playing for. Your bat should be 34 inches long with a 2.25 inches barrel diameter. Your bat should bear the stamp of approval from USSSA, ASA and NSA. If the authorities ask to check your bat during the match, you are required to show them.
- For men’s slowpitch softball, the ball used should be 12 inches. For women its 11 inches.
- If you wish to score a run by running on the pitch, then you must touch the scoring plate to complete your run.
- If you are thinking of going for sneakers with metal cleats for your first, then you might want to reconsider as metal cleats are not allowed.
Categories of Slowpitch Softball
The game of slowpitch softball is separated by the skill level of the players and is divided into different classes.
These classes start from class B up till class E where the skill level ranges from highly competitive in Class B to leisure playingin Class E.
The classification is also done on the basis of gender where men, women slowpitch softball games include only men and women players respectively. Coed games have both male and female players.
Slowpitch Softball Players and their Positioning
Softball consists of 10 team members which are assigned different names and positions. The players are:
Pitcher
catcher
first baseman
second baseman
third baseman
shortstop
right fielder
center fielder
left fielder
outfielder
There are certain rules of pitching in slowpitch softball. For instance, pitchers have to conduct the entire pitch underhand and within 5 seconds. Throwing faster than this is considered illegal.
Rules about Home Runs
Surprisingly, in slowpitch softball game you can not keep hitting as many homeruns as you want. There is a certain limit set by the league you are playing for. You are supposed to abide by this limit as any shot beyond this limit is considered as an out.
If you want to score a home run by running through the pitch then you should know that the game follows the flip/flop rule for running. More details about this rule will be given to your during your training.
Slowpitch softball Field
Slowpitch softball is known for the power hitting of its players and therefore requires fencing. In men’s leagues the fence is usually set at a minimum distance of 300 feet. For women’s league this distance differs ranging from 250 to 350 feet.
We hope that as a beginner these basic rules will help you in improving your performance in the game with time.