Girls Fastpitch Softball - How the game is played.

[YouthSoftball]

May seem kind of silly, but I pass out this information to all my new parents so they have a better understanding on how the game is played.

A softball game has seven innings at least, and in a single inning, each team bats until three batters are out. Teams take turns while batting. A decision for the team batting first is made by tossing a coin. However, a league may make a decision at its discretion. Generally, a home team bats second. In all forms of softball, a defensive team is the fielding team and an offensive team is batting and trying to score runs.

A softball game begins with an umpire saying "Play Ball." After a batter is all set, and all fielders, except a catcher, are in fair territory, a pitcher stands at a pitching plate, and attempts to throw a ball past the batter to the catcher at the back of home plate. A throw must be made with underarm motion. Strike zone has slightly varying forms in different types of softball. A throw that passes through that zone is a strike, and a throw that is not a strike, and which the batter does not swing at, is a ball.


The number of balls and strikes is referred to as the count. If a ball lands foul, it is deemed as a dead ball and no plays may be made until the pitcher receives the ball again, and the home plate umpire shouts "Play ball." Leaping or crow-hopping acts are considered illegal, and if a pitcher does them, a ball is awarded to the batter.

A batting team sends one batter at one time to home plate. The batting order must remain same throughout a game. Substitutes, if any, have to bat in the same place as the player they are substituting. In a co-ed game, boys and girls must bat alternately.

A batter stands facing the thrower inside a batter's box, and bat is held with both hands, over a shoulder and away from a pitcher. Once a ball is hit into fair territory, a runner must try to move forward to first base or beyond. There are various other rules also. In a nutshell, the reason for the popularity of softball is the ease of modification of the rules, thereby allowing this game to be adapted to a variety of skill levels

 

[CARDS]

May seem kind of silly, but I pass out this information to all my new parents so they have a better understanding on how the game is played.

1. A softball game has seven innings at least, and in a single inning, each team bats until three batters are out.
2. Teams take turns while batting. A decision for the team batting first is made by tossing a coin.
3. However, a league may make a decision at its discretion. Generally, a home team bats second.
4.In all forms of softball, a defensive team is the fielding team and an offensive team is batting and trying to score runs.

6. A softball game begins with an umpire saying "Play Ball." After a batter is all set, and all fielders, except a catcher, are in fair territory, a pitcher stands at a pitching plate, and attempts to throw a ball past the batter to the catcher at the back of home plate.
7. A throw must be made with underarm motion. Strike zone has slightly varying forms in different types of softball. A throw that passes through that zone is a strike, and a throw that is not a strike, and which the batter does not swing at, is a ball.


8. The number of balls and strikes is referred to as the count. If a ball lands foul, it is deemed as a dead ball and no plays may be made until the pitcher receives the ball again, and the home plate umpire shouts "Play ball." Leaping or crow-hopping acts are considered illegal, and if a pitcher does them, a ball is awarded to the batter.

9. A batting team sends one batter at one time to home plate. The batting order must remain same throughout a game. Substitutes, if any, have to bat in the same place as the player they are substituting. In a co-ed game, boys and girls must bat alternately.

10. A batter stands facing the thrower inside a batter's box, and bat is held with both hands, over a shoulder and away from a pitcher. Once a ball is hit into fair territory, a runner must try to move forward to first base or beyond.

There are various other rules also. In a nutshell, the reason for the popularity of softball is the ease of modification of the rules, thereby allowing this game to be adapted to a variety of skill levels

What is the purpose of this post/info?
Yes, there are a variety of rules within the game depending on sanctioning body that includes ISL, USSSA, ASA and a variety of rules added for showcase style ball or other sanctioning bodies that impacts play.

Remember, some games may be timed so they could end in 5 or less innings...the DP/FLEX or, half substitutions can impact normal batting situations...Some leagues allow a half windmill pitch...Batters are not required to hold the bat with two hands. Runners do not need to advance if the put out is behind them... Some tournaments allow a flip when a run rule is in progress...Some leagues have run rules per innings some have no run rule...Home team may be determined by other means than a coil flip EX: Tournament director...

 

[YouthSoftball]

What is the purpose of this post?

Sharing info. I even said it was kind of silly, but wanted to share something that may be helpful for new rec league type of Coaches.

I'm not really sure why YOU would questions my post? From my understanding this site is for open discussion about the game of girls fastpitch softball.

 

[CARDS]

Did not mean to hurt your feelings...
Just curious on the purpose or what value/Info you want recreational coaches or your parents to gain from the above?
You yourself acknowledge its kind of silly but, you pass the above info along to your parents. Just trying understand the reasoning or what do you want your parents to gain from above?

 

[wow]

Agreed very odd post.. But good refresher if you forgot and send the batters 2 at a time to the plate... or you face away from home plate in the batter box..

 

[Tolle]

A "batter" will grip the tapered end of a bat and attempt to make contact with the thrown softball. The batter must run counterclockwise around the bases. An official called an "umpire" will indicate either verbally or through hand gestures whether you are "safe" or "out".

 

[yossarian]

I was kinda following you with the balls and the strikes thing. But then you threw out the term "foul" and didn't explain what that means. I'm totally lost.

 

[Louuuuu]

Leaping or crow-hopping acts are considered illegal, and if a pitcher does them, a ball is awarded to the batter.

But if the catcher does them, your credentials as a coach are questioned....

 

[Converse Kid]

@ YouthSoftball, What level of kids and parents is this for? 4U?

 

[Sbcraze]

I dont say much on here but i have to chime in on this one. You guys are roasting this member over his post. It sounds to me like he's a rec coach and there is nothing wrong with that. Some parents dont understand whats going on and know nothing about fastpitch. Everyone of us on here have been there. So why question his post? Just his way of doing things.

 

[CARDS]

I dont say much on here but i have to chime in on this one. You guys are roasting this member over his post. It sounds to me like he's a rec coach and there is nothing wrong with that. Some parents dont understand whats going on and know nothing about fastpitch. Everyone of us on here have been there. So why question his post? Just his way of doing things.

Not quite a roasting...
I have no issues with the OP but, after reading it several times I was still left scratching my head on what value it has to give to parents or a coach at any level thus why, I asked what was the main purpose of the thread or letter to the OP for clarification.

I just asked what is he using the letter for? I applaud the op for trying to communicate to his parents, coaches etc. (Communication is generally the downfall of many and in some cases poor communication or scattered, vague or incorrect communication can be worse than none at all).

 

[Sbcraze]

I was scratching my head also. But didnt feel the need to question his reason for what he/she posted. But everyone has their reasons i guess. Sorry if i came across the wrong way in my comment. Wasnt try to start a debate or argument. They are new member and just trying to start a topic on how they do things in youth ball. And yes mybe "roasting" wasnt the right word to use.

 

[cobb_of_fury]

It sort of reminds me of the old story, I think it was Casey Stengel when he was managing the Mets and they had a particularly bad game, Casey took them out to the field for practice and said some thing like "OK we had a bad game - in order to get back on track we're gonna start with the fundamentals" He took his fungo bat pointed it and says "This is home plate - That there is first base..."

 

[Fairman]

At our first practice for high school we start with tennis balls until we learn which kids can catch and throw. Its to dangerous to give 'em softballs. Sometimes you assume the kids know the rules or the way a game is played but I'll have a half dozen kids this spring that have never played an actual game. You sometimes need to start way before basic. 'This is home plate....' is a good place to begin.