Softball rules

Team ball sport

"Indoor baseball" redirects here. For information on indoor baseball venues, see Ballpark. For other uses, see Soft ball (disambiguation).

Softball is a popular variation of baseball, the difference being that it is played with a larger ball, on a smaller field, and with only underhand pitches (where the ball is released while the hand is primarily below the ball) permitted.

Softball is played competitively at club levels, the college level, and the professional level. The game was first created in 1887 in Chicago by George Hancock.

Softball rules for beginners

There are two rule sets for softball generally: slow-pitch softball and fastpitch. Slow-pitch softball is commonly played recreationally, while women's fastpitch softball was a Summer Olympic sport and can be played professionally.

Softball was not included in the 2024 Summer Olympics but will return for the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Depending on the variety being played and the age and gender of the players, the particulars of the field and equipment will also vary.

While distances between bases of 60 feet are stand

how does the game of softball work

how does softball work