people know this particular sport as "softball," a variant on the game A strike is recorded any time a batter swings at and misses a pitch or when a batter hits a ball foul (out of play). The ball is hit off a batting tee; there is no pitching. [30] An infielder's glove is the smallest, typically from 11.5 inches to 13 inches. The distance from Pitchers Mound to Home Plate vary by age and type of softball field also. It must be 84 feet and 10 inches based on field standards; it shares synonymity with the distance from home plate to third base. PRODUCTS + KNOW HOW BETTER MOUNDS START HERE, For additional information and hints, download the, CoverGrow Spread or Spray Mulching Granules. Age Groups 40+ and Abovemay use any bat Stamped 1.21 BPF Senior. Softball rules are very clear about base paths and backstop distances. Most female travel ball teams for fastpitch softball require the batter to wear a helmet with a face mask. Home plate to backstop 60 feet. This minimizes the chances of a collision. The rule now states that as long as any part of the batter's foot is in the box the ball will stay live. continues to grow, and slow-pitch softball is still played on a I recommend using the Smart Coach Radar system from Pocket Radar. [4]) The name softball had spread across the United States by 1930. The game was first created in 1887 in Chicago by George Hancock . Otherwise, girls typically will be able to add 1 2 MPH per year naturally when built on top of a sound mechanical foundation. A pitch that is not a strike and at which the batter does not swing is known as a "ball". For example, helmets for the offensive team and a helmet, shin guards, and chest protector for the defensive catcher. Leagues for such play are often characterized as either "fun leagues", in which the outdoor exercise and player camaraderie is more important than the final result, or "serious leagues". For ASA girls divisions 12U, 14U and 16U to 18U, the distance between bases is 60 feet. Equipment required in softball includes a ball, a bat (composite, metal or wooden), gloves, uniforms and protective gear. A softball field's normal spacing between bases is 60 feet. In fast pitch, to be within the strike zone, the pitch must cross over home plate, and as it crosses it must be above the knees and slightly below the shoulders (roughly the armpit or the shirt logo). In fastpitch, the runner is allowed to begin stealing a base when the ball is released from the "windmill" pitching motion, but until recently, stealing was forbidden in slow pitch because a runner has the opportunity to get a larger head start while the slow pitch is making its way to the batter. . If a batted ball bounces off a fielder (in fair territory) and goes over the fence in foul territory, or if it goes over the fence at a location that is closer than the official distance, the batter is awarded a double instead. [23] Yellow softballs have become the standard for all levels of play; white balls are also still allowed, but are very uncommon today. A pitch that passes through that zone is a "strike". Arm speed helps, but on the other hand, Ive also seen girls that are 16 years old top out at 50 MPH and have been throwing that fast for 2 3 years, but they cant seem to get any more speed. The 13-year-old pitcher will be used to the increased distance already. Therefore, you probably want to spend as much time on your local softball diamond as possible. This rule encourages pitchers to be more responsible with the pitch and catchers to play defense, as balls which miss the catcher are now grounds to have stolen bases. Softball is a game similar to baseball played with a larger ball on a smaller field. Therefore I have created the chart on this page (below) to be a helpful guide or an indicator of solid, safe mechanics mostly. Here is a [66][67] The current Junior Women's World Champion is the United States. If a fielder intentionally carries a ball out of play, two bases are awarded from the time the ball leaves the field of play. A helmet must have two ear flaps, one on each side. [7], The first British women's softball league was established in 1953.[7]. Exit speed required for a given distance Using the Baseball Home Run Simulator here are the required exit speeds to hit a baseball each distance: Warning: These distances may vary depending on angle, elevation, etc. Softball at the Summer Olympics was on the Olympic programme from 1996 to 2008. boxes are 3 feet wide and 7 feet long. The pitching distance for men is 46 feet (14 metres) and for women 43 feet (13.11 metres). I hear that question asked all the time. Fast Pitch - Page 109 (Softball Canada Rule Book): Age Category and Distance Table ( PDF Version ) As a result, minor age categories will move from U6, U8, U10, U12, U14, U16 towards U7, U9, U11, U13, U15, U17 starting with the 2022 season. * 4 feet between 1st and 2nd base * 4 feet between 2nd and 3rd base * 2 feet between 3rd base and home (note that these are the same 2 feet that are between home and 1st. These are somewhat padded shinguards that extend usually from the ankle to the knee of the wearer and wrap all the way around the leg(s). They are also closer to first base when they cut off a slower ground ball towards shortstop. Boys and girls of ages 12 and up can start playing with the conventional 90-foot diamond size and a pitching distance of 60 feet, 6 inches. The 18.29 m (60 ft.) marker should now check at home plate and second base. The sides facing the catcher shall be 12 inches long and on the foul lines. In other words, if she is 3 MPH below the averages in the chart, but then tweaked her mechanics to make them more sound and efficient would she quickly gain that 3 MPH on her fastball? slow pitch rules will be enforced unless exceptions are noted: 1. There are many different types of slapping and they all vary depending on the batter and their strengths. At the youngest age, softball players commonly have to hit a ball around 150 feet far to score a home run. If the game is tied, play usually continues until a decision is reached, by using the international tie-breaker rule or if time is expired the score would be just tied. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. One situation that nullifies this distance-to-age as an exact science is when you have a middle school girls softball team that consists of a 12-year-old and 13-year-old pitcher (7th and 8th-grade girls) on the same team. Normally, the defensive team will play with four outfielders, meaning there is a left fielder, left-center fielder, right-center fielder, and right fielder. [47] While these modified rules are common, there are questions as to their place in modern adult sports.[48]. Pitching distance is 40 feet. The short answer is that the distance between the bases for college fast pitch softball diamonds is 60 feet. In fastpitch and modified pitch, a margin of 15 runs after 3 innings, 10 after 4, or 7 after 5 is sufficient for the leading team to be declared the winner. pitching lessons to girls from 8 23 years old, Smart Coach Radar system from Pocket Radar, The umpires strike zone, the only zone that matters, 3 things that can make a great pitcher look, well not so great, Queen of the Hill: Softball Leg Drive Product Review. this, the number of NCAA Division 1 schools sponsoring women's teams A runner is said to be "thrown out" when the play involves two or more defensive players. Often double plays are due to quick thinking/reaction by the shortstop. 13. Measuring base cutouts:The normal diameter for an on-deck batting circle is 5 feet. [3] George Hancock, a reporter there, called out "Play ball!" Rarer is the knuckleball, which moves slowly and erratically. Baseline 90 feet. However, the field can consist of other solid and dry surfaces such as artificial turf or asphalt. The changeup is the staple off-speed pitch, usually thrown to look like a fastball but arriving much slower to the plate. At the ages of 12 years old and 14 years old, besides significant changes that are happening due to female adolescence, there are a few major changes in softball: An excellent way to introduce a girl to the bigger 12 softball is to make sure she throws mechanically sound over hand first with flicks and gradually increasing the distance throwing before you start the underhand flicks, and you start to work it to increase your distance with the full windmill rotation. Beveled edges and a waffle bottom prevent sliding and keep the bases in place on gym floors, grass, or dirt. Pitches may reach high speeds. Q: What are the dimensions of the home The most common rule is that the home team bats second. Its good to know what balls your state has adopted. recreational level all over the world. In this case the four outfielders are spaced equidistantly and play at roughly the same depth. Distance from backstop to the back tip of home plate is 25, Distance from the back tip of home plate to the center of second base is 84 10 1/4- which is also the same distance between first base and third base as this makes a perfect square, Distance from the back tip of home plate to the right corner of first base is 60, Distance from the center of 2nd Base to the back left corner of third base is 60, Distance from the back right corner of first base to the middle of second base is 60, Distance from the center of second base to the back left corner of third base is 60, Distance from the back tip of the home plate to the front of the pitching rubber is 46. Interest in Man and women who play ASA fastpitch softball run a base-path distance of 60 feet between each base. Due to the popularity of the sport, there are a multitude of governing bodies such as the United States Specialty Sports Association, International Softball Congress and the National Softball Association. In fastpitch, runners may try to steal bases by running to the next base on the pitch and reaching it before being tagged with the ball. In many[quantify] US cities, adult softball teams are organized by bars and clubs, hence the popular term "beer league" softball. By the 1940s, fast-pitch softball had begun The Junior League focuses on 12- to 14-year-olds, the Senior League looks at 14- to 16-year-olds and the Big League is for up to age 18. They need not be touched on the same play; a batter may remain safely on a base while play proceeds and attempt to advance on a later play. Answer: If no one is on base, there are typically: * 2 feet between home plate and 1st base. They may have cleats or spikes. Currently, the USSSA program is run out of Viera, FL. Recommended distance from home plate to out field for female or male fast pitch softball is 185 235, female slow pitch 250-275, male slow pitch 275- 300. This includes ties. Traditional outfield positions include a left fielder, a center fielder, and a right fielder. The pitcher tries to throw the ball in the strike zone. Unlike a designated hitter, a designated player can also become a temporary defensive substitute, and the player substituted by the designated player can return to their original position at a later point in the game. More important than having professional quality plates is making sure that the spacing between them is properly measured out according to the college guidelines. with two equal triangles removed at the bottom corners. What is the diameter of a softball? * There are no walks or strikeouts. Slow pitch achieved formal recognition in 1953 when it was added to the program of the Amateur Softball Association, and within a decade had surpassed fast pitch in popularity. Softball is played in almost every country in Europe, mainly fastpitch. Phone: 204.925.5673. softball@softball.mb.ca. Out calls are made by raising the right hand in a clenched fist, with a verbal call of "out". Peterson, Brian. Contact Us. Official Major League Mound-to-Plate Dimensions. [73] The game is played in most schools and with a 1.3 billion population; the number of great players is turning out to be a boon for China. Helmets must be worn by batters and runners. breakdown of the distances: Q: What are the dimensions of the batter's To compare, MLB players average around 90mph but can reach speeds up to 100mph. Bases shall be set at 70 feet. Contact Us. universities. softball base distance by age. The first baseman is usually involved in every play that occurs on the field. The average throwing speed of 13- and 14 year-olds ranges from 46 to 50 mph. For ASA girls divisions 12U, 14U and 16U to 18U, the distance between bases is 60 feet. Those interested in fastpitch softball need to work on their stance, grip on the ball, windup, and release. Sixteen-inch softball, also sometimes referred to as "mush ball" or "super-slow pitch" (although the ball is not soft at all), is a direct descendant of Hancock's original game. The center fielder is part of a group of two other fielders that make up the outfield. [37], Runners may advance at risk to be put out: on a hit by another player; after a fly ball has been caught, provided the player was touching a base at the time the ball was first touched or after; or (in fastpitch) automatically, when a pitch is delivered illegally. It is recommended in lower age groups. Regulation fields are used in professional baseball, of course, but also in college, high school, and most youth leagues whose players are about 14 and older. The two sides measure 8.5 inches and it is 17 inches across. Any ball that the third baseman can get, they should. Fastpitch Softball Pitching and Baseline Distances by Age Division - Male [1] The ball itself is typically 11 or 12 inches (28 or 30 centimetres) in circumference, also depending on specifics of the competition. Live Stream and Media. Second base is measured from the center of the base to the foul line. Join our newsletter! Bases in baseball are 90 feet apart, while bases in softball are only 60 feet of width apart. Most shortstops are very quick, agile and think fast. As in baseball, fastpitch softball has a rubber used to control the pitchers delivery. And lastly, measure from the back right corner of third base to the back of home base. 4.1.1. This Ultimate Guide for Softball Field Dimensionsgives you softball field dimensions and guides you on how to set up your field. Also, on the back of the uniforms players' names are optional. The core of the ball may be made of long fiber kapok, a mixture of cork and rubber, a polyurethane mixture, or another approved material.[20]. Ages 12-13 with a 12-inch ball pitch from 40 feet. Rule 15 - Stealing bases No stealing of bases in the 8U division. frankincense perfume recipe. No part of the glove is allowed to be the same color as that of the ball, including that of its seams. For ages 10-11 with an 11-inch ball, the distance is 35 feet. Often, but not always, outside first base (that is, in foul territory) and adjacent and connected to it, there is a contrast-colored "double base" or "safety base" intended to prevent collisions between the first baseman and the runner. She must make an attempt to get out of the way and it is the umpire's judgmental call whether the batter attempted to move. Another common pitch is the change-up, an intentionally slow pitch that initially appears to be a fastball, causing the batter to swing too early and miss or foul off the pitch. Once they start getting the hang of it, softball players who are 10 years and younger can have an average throwing speed of 38 to 44 miles per hour. Measuring pitchers mounds:A major league mound is 18 feet in diameter and 10 inches higher than home plate. If there is a "wild throw" (or "overthrow") in which the ball goes out of the designated play area, each runner is awarded two bases from the last base touched at the time of the throw. Time Limits: Practice sessions must end promptly for: K - 4th Grade: 8:30 pm 5th - 8th Grade: 9:00 pm Weekly Limits: The number of sessions shall not exceed: K-3rd Grade: 1 Hr. There are half swing slaps, fake slaps, and full swing slaps. In this case, the second baseman covers the steal. The primary emphasis of Babe Ruth Softball is on education, skill development, participation for all levels of ability and of course, having fun. The number of balls is always given first, as 2 and 1, 2 and 2, and so on. A score of 70 for the team not at fault is recorded (generally one run is awarded for each inning that would have been played). The double base is required in the U-18 Women's Softball World Cup. Although, depending on the age group the rules change slightly. If the batter steps out of the box while swinging, the batter is out. Official umpires are often nicknamed "blue", because of their uniforms in many jurisdictions, most significantly ISF, NCAA and ASA games, umpires wear navy blue slacks, a light powder blue shirt, and a navy baseball cap. To start play, the offense sends a batter to home plate. Awards: multiple time All-Conference, All-Area, potential All-State honors. In Chicago, where softball was invented, it remains traditional to play a variant of slow-pitch with a ball 16 inches (41 centimeters) in circumference. The accepted diameter for the pitching area is 16 feet. The bottom three feet of the batter's boxes are below Although the pitcher and catcher have the ball the most, each person has a specific job. These shorts also help to protect the upper thigh when sliding into a base. If an outfielder passes in front of this line before the female batter hits a fair ball, the batter will receive a single base Canada's Joey Lye, left, slides under the glove of Netherland's Chantal Versluis (23) to steal second base in the first inning of the third place World Cup of Softball game in Oklahoma City, Monday, July 2, 2012. Last update was on: January 18, 2023 2:55 am, Join the discussion - Leave a comment below. The order the players bat in, known as the "batting order", must stay the same throughout the game. The Amateur Softball Association is the National Governing Body of Softball for the United States pursuant to the 1976 Amateur Sports Act. Minimum distance to outfield: 275 feet (83.82 meters). 65 feet isallowed if a park cannot set bases at 70 feet. Another role they play is to make fielding plays on all balls hit towards first base. In that year, a new, fluorescent optic yellow colored ball was first used in college softball. In addition to these age category changes, the U13 level (both male and female) will use an an 11" ball. [35] Male pitching can reach speeds around 85 miles per hour (137 kilometers per hour). Easily square up the pitching rubber by measuring an equal distance from the front corners of home plate to the corresponding corners on the pitching rubber. If a batter is hit by the pitch it is a dead ball and she is rewarded first base. [30] A pitcher's glove is typically 11.5 to 12.5 inches for fast pitch or 11.5 to 13 inches for slow pitch.[30]. The left fielder can then prevent the base runner from advancing to unwanted bases. What is the fastest softball pitch ever? Use a string from the apex of home plate and measure 60 to where first base should be, make an arc with chalk. Basically the home plate is a perfect square