WORLD TOP SPORTS STARS: softball top geme

Softball is a team game commonly played in the United States and other countries. It is a direct descendant of baseball although some key differences are that softballs are larger than baseballs and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand. Softball is played on a smaller diamond than in baseball; a softball field's average distances from home plate to the center, left and right field fences are 220, 200 and 200 feet respectively (the corresponding baseball field average distances are 410, 325 and 325 feet). Despite the game's name, the standard softball is not soft; in fact, it is harder than a baseball.
Contents
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* 1 History
* 2 Overview
* 3 The field
o 3.1 Official baseline dimensions
o 3.2 Fast pitch pitching distances
o 3.3 Slow pitch pitching distances
* 4 Equipment
o 4.1 Ball
o 4.2 Bat
o 4.3 Gloves
o 4.4 Uniform
o 4.5 Protective equipment
* 5 Umpires
* 6 Gameplay
o 6.1 Pitching
o 6.2 Batters
o 6.3 Getting the batter out
o 6.4 Advancing around the bases
+ 6.4.1 Special circumstances
o 6.5 Scoring runs
o 6.6 Ending the game
* 7 Positions
o 7.1 Pitcher
o 7.2 Catcher
o 7.3 First baseman
o 7.4 Second baseman
o 7.5 Shortstop
o 7.6 Third baseman
o 7.7 Outfielders
* 8 Modification of rules
o 8.1 Indoor play
* 9 International competition
o 9.1 Australia
o 9.2 Japan
o 9.3 China
* 10 Popularity and participation
* 11 See also
* 12 Notes
* 13 External links

softball