Rules
Softball is played by two teams alternating turns at bat and defense. The aim of the game is to advance a runner around all bases to home plate and score the most runs in seven innings. Each team’s half of the inning ends when three of its batters have been ruled out. If the score is tied after seven innings (the duration of the game) teams continue to play until one of them scores; the tiebreaker rule is put into effect at the eighth inning.
A batter’s objective is to hit the ball and advance to the first base or advance to as many bases as possible. A run is scored when a runner advances through all bases and reaches home plate without being ruled out. Only the team on offence, which is the team that is “up to bat” is in a position to score. The defending team’s (team on the field) objective is to defend its bases by getting three outs and not allowing the offense to score. Every time three outs are called, the defending team goes to bat and vice versa.
Additional Rules:
A batter is out if:
- The batted ball is caught in the air
- The batted ball is caught and thrown successfully to any base before a runner gets there
- A baserunner is tagged by the ball (touched by the ball or the glove of a player in defense) while off of a base
- If three strikes are called by the umpire
Every time three outs are called, the defending team goes to bat and vice versa.
If the batter hits a foul ball (a ball that is hit in foul territory), it counts against them until they have two strikes.
A pitcher must have at least one foot on the ground when she pitches.
A tiebreaker procedure is in effect at the 8th inning: a runner is placed on second base.