Softball vs Baseball
Softball & Baseball Differences
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Softball was invented in 1887 in Chicago, USA as a direct off-shoot of baseball. The key differences between traditional Softball and baseball are that in Softball:
- The ball is always pitched under-arm. In baseball the ball is usually pitched over-arm. For an exciting demonstration of the difference between softball and baseball pitching see episode 7 of FSN Sport Science on You Tube.
- The regulation ball is larger, less dense and heavier than a regulation baseball. It is however not particularly soft, especially when pitched at speed!
- The bats used are generally not as thick as baseball bats. However, at the junior level softball and baseball bats are interchangeable
- The diamond and the playing field are usually smaller
- The game is 7 innings long, as opposed to 9 innings in professional baseball
- The pitcher's area is a flat circle (in baseball it's a raised mound) and generally the pitching distance is shorter
- A tie-breaker ruleis used after seven innings
- The re-entry rule is used
- A designated player (DP) can be used.
Content courtesy of Softball Australia
www.softball.org.au
